I have the same issue with a 1993 48 spl evinrude except mine locked in the tilt up position. We live in cold winter area so I had to get the motor down to keep snow/water out of the prop exhaust. I took out one of the set screws and let the pressure out and the oil that was with it. Big mistake...
I just bought this engine on a Critchfield center console. Engine was started on the muffs this year and I have had it out twice. Put in 6 gals of fresh fuel with tc3w oil at 50/1 maybe 1 gallon of old fuel in tank that was dosed with red Stabil. starts and runs fine on the high speed jets...
