Used '94 Evinrude 40HP, seller ran 40:1, OB has 100/100 psi, should I decarb?

[sfmeyer]

Thanks for reading.

I drove a ways out of town to pick up a great 1994 40 HP Evinrude. She purs like a kitten and pisses like a racehorse. The compression test result was 100/100 psi, dead even on both cylinders. I understand many engines run at lower than 100 psi but it is at the lower end of what most people consider "good" compression.

In talking with the seller, he has been running 40:1 fuel mix since he has owned it. My immediate reaction was that the 40:1 mixture may have the engine carboned-up pretty good and a "de-carb" would be a wise idea, followed by running the outboard at 50:1 where it should be.

Right now, the engine performs flawlessly, but I wouldn't mind hearing from the community, what your experience and/or opinion may be in this situation?

Thank you very much.

 

[Bosunsmate]

Id think exactly what you did, although id care a bit less about the 100psi than you

 

[boobie]

If it aint broke, don't fix it !!

 

[sfmeyer]

I appreciate your responses.

Bosunsmate, you would decarb? Would you run 50:1 from here on out?

boobie, I like your handle by the way, you would just leave everything as is and no decarb? run 50:1 or leave it at 40:1?

I'm under the impression either decision is going to leave me a good running motor if I keep the fuel lubricated and keep up on maintenance, but i'd still like to keep it in optimal condition for performance and long term health. I've read that a lot of guys decarb every year. This OB, on top of being ran at 40:1, does not have any decarb history and it is 21 years old. If it's a "can't hurt" situation, I'd lean on doing a simple decarb with seafoam. I am a little more puzzled at what to do with its future of fuel mixing..
Thanks all.