spark plug 1 black 3 not black

[lquested]

88 force 125 outboard. ive been reading diff forums here and i read one talking bout plugs. so i went and checked mine #1 balck # 234 not like #1 but is kinda clean with alittle black. is this ok.. the head gasket was changed before i bought the boat . idles ok and runs slow at wot not like a stipped butt baboon. am waiting for week end to rebuild fuel pump and carbs ..like yall have already told me to do..ill start at gas tank and work to the motor cleaning.. im just wondering thats got me worried. compression is 120 on all cylinders and i checked each plug for spark and they all have spark.( by reading here i dont think i did it the right way). took all plugs out and 1 by 1 touched plug to head a cranked motor saw spark. well thanks for any info you guys are GGGGGGRRRREEEAAATTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lee

 

[maxum247]

Re: spark plug 1 black 3 not black

Compression sounds pretty good.
You want a crisp blue spark on each cylinder.
Rebuild the fuel pump.
Get the carbs cleaned up and adjusted and see how it runs.

If the head gasket were a problem the plug on the affected cylinder would look like new after about 10 minutes run time and you would see signs of water beads on the sparkplug from the leaking cylinder.