Do not use toilet bowel cleaners. They are VERY VERY strong corrosive chemicals. They will drip on to Aluminum and eat it alive very quickly. EXTREME caution if used. Must have a pressurized garden hose next to the cleaning area.
A 20 FOOT storm sure is now predicted. Path looks like all of Florida west coast is getting a 4 level and the record water storm surge.
RUN AWAY !!!! While you can.
Getting the tube into correct hole can be a several attempts. To get it into the hole correctly. I had to slightly bend the tube To line up almost perfectly. A slightly frustrating job.
A slightly, occasionally, sticking open valve can cause that slightly different engine sound. We are being forced to check out really RARE causes.
I forget. Does that sparkplug look bad after the crack forms ?
Something to remember about NO ELECTRIC tilt motors.
You DO NOT have to LOCK the motor in the down position. To drive around in FOWARD POSITION at any power / speed. Or at very slow speed when docking. I only use the LOCK DOWN LEVER when I will need to use reverse gear above idle speed.
You will also love a computer controlled engine when you get the repair bills. And the required PM expenses.
If new 4 strokes could do away with those 2 items. They would be a big improvement over the 2 strokes.
The sterndrive & sand is the problem. That is a VERY shallow area under the boat. Shadow is right against the entire hull. Easy to lower sterndrive and get some sand. Maybe. I have sanded a sterndrive.