'89 E'Rude 88 SPL running rich

[pennyanman]

I'm still fairly new to this particular motoer and am still sorting out its quirks. I am finding it tends to load up the plugs at idle, and runs a little rich at all speeds. I tried to set the floats at 1.0 " drop down from the float bowl top surface (under side surface of throttle body). I'm wondering if the floats are set a little high. The motor starts well, runs strong, and doesn't have any other ill behavior. I'm using OMC TCWIII oil, carbon guard, 2+4 conditioner per factory recommendations. I am using fresh 89 octane fuel. Is it possible the problem is plugs? <br />I'm using the recommended Champion gap type plugs set at .030" Would it be worth trying the gapless plugs? Those plugs always worked great in older Merc 650s we used to have. Any comments?

 

[walleyehed]

Re: '89 E'Rude 88 SPL running rich

This is a perfect example of why OMC came out with the service bulliten pertaining to plug gap.<br /> The Bulliten says to gap to .040 now. This has created a much better idle and overall better longevity.

 

[pennyanman]

Re: '89 E'Rude 88 SPL running rich

You lost me. I thought all the S/B activity was going the other way; ie. .040 to .030. Have they gone back to .040? I'd love to have that change fix the problem!