Just a guess but you might have actually lost a bit of compression due to getting the carbon off the head and piston crowns. Sometmes carbon buildup can make a ring seal a bit tighter than it would otherwise. Just part of the Law of Unintended Consequences.
I think someone already commented the same thing. This still doesnt explain why i ran it first thing last time out and on the way to my spot i clocked in @ 34mph. Ran like a champ. Shut er down for an hour or so and then on the way to the next spot i couldnt break 30mph. It was a rather calm day that day too so no crazy winds affecting it. Then for the rest of the day same thing. 30mph max speed.
Next time I go out I will see if the same thing happens so i can at least find something that is repeatable. But you may be on to something. Compression should have been the first thing I tested but Im being lazy and havent went out and bought one i guess to avoid the cost if i can. But I suppose if youre going to own an outboard you should have a compression tester.
Also I just wanted to point out i use quick clean additive @ 2 tbspn/5 gallons. synthetic mercury oil 50:1 and a cap or two of star tron. Maybe the quick clean is wiping the cylinders too clean? idk??? Just a thought...
I was just thinking about some things and I remember also having one other issue that may be related.
After idling past no wake with motor warmed i noticed if i punched the throttle it hesitated kinda like a choppy sound or sputtering i guess for a couple seconds and then smoothed out and planed up. I figured this was because the spark plugs were loading up while idling in no wake but then again the no wake isnt super long distance.
Its about 2000 ft from dock to no wake bouy. I couldnt imagine the spark plugs would load up that fast. But it has done this for a while. I just forgot bout it. Maybe that will help narrow down this issue?
