20 hp mercury outboard won’t go to full power

[Sumonsim]

It had started acting up after I ran out of gas and had to put in regular gas as I had always put in premium after that it worked fine for a couple of minutes then would keep sputtering and shaking at that point I had noticed that there was gas drips coming out the mid section which I then realized was the carb overflow tube so I opened up the carb and cleaned Using carb cleaner and I’m pretty new at it so I’m not sure how good it did but it didn’t make a difference so I put it back in the water and same problem. Does anyone have any suggestions or diagnosis to my problem?

 

[RideNFishCA]

Don't know details on your motor but did you clean needle valves in carb? If a float was sticking or had debris blocking it from moving freely it could just keep letting fuel in and thus out the overflow.

 

[SteveVT]

Yes, check for debris preventing float needle closing, or worn float needle or worn float needle seat, or leaking float.

I wouldn't think it is the change from premium to regular per se, but the fact that you drew in some dregs in the bottom of the tank when you ran out of gas. Or the regular might not have been clean.