I have a 88 11' boston whaler sport with a 88 johnson 20, I am having a problem with the motor that I can't seem to get straight. When you first fire the motor it fires fine and runs ok, at least the same as it has for the past 5 years. The problem begins when you go above idle, and is much worse with more weight in the boat. You hit the throttle and it bogs a little but eventually gets up on plane and then goes great for about 3-5 minutes then it starts to cut out dramatically. The only way I can keep it running is if I hold in the choke on the key, as soon as I let that go it cuts out, but as soon as I push it in it goes again. Changed the plugs but no help. Thinking its a fuel problem because of the choke helping it run. Here are some things that I did notice, the primer ball never seems to get completley firm, and there are a couple of fuel lines at the motor that don't have clamps on them at all. Obviously I plan on at least putting zip ties on these for safety, and could they be allowing the pump to loose suction, and cause the motor cut out, and the soft primer? Checked compression and it is fiine on both cylinders. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated on this problem as I move forward.
