50hp ELPTO - Poor Slow (idle) Speed Performance

[GMCanuck]

So my 2004 50hp ELPTO runs well (at least I think so), but I do have an issue at idle speed, under load, actually in the water. The motor tends to want to stall if just left in gear at idle. I have to keep bumping the throttle occasionally to keep it from stalling.

Thinking it might be the carbs, I took them off to check things. They seemed clean, so I did not bother cleaning and rebuilding them.

Had it in to a boat shop and they didn't seem to find an issue, although I do not think they had the engine submerged when the ran it, so not the same load on the prop as when actually boating.

I realize this might be too vague a question, but is there some place I could start?

 

[ondarvr]

Clean the carbs, plus look for an air leak in a fuel line, or a weak fuel pump.

 

[racerone]

Do the compression test.