poor starting/running

[greigph]

Hi people just new to the world of boats and outboards, i have a yamaha 50hp 2 stroke outboard and the only way to get it starting is to remove the cover and air box and put my hand over the carb inlets, once running it coughs a lot and runs pretty poor any ideas? the jets are all clean and there is no water in the fuel.

any help would be appreciated!!

[spartacus]

Are sparks fouled? Also check fuel filter on engine - that it's not clogged. Pic would be useful.

[m chappelow]

it could be a number of things if you have only just bought it was it running ok before ,as sparticus said plugs clean and gaped and all sparking ,fuel filter , stuck choke , stuck float could be dirt in a small hole in carb ,have you checked to see if its drawing air through the carb gasket where it bolts to the engine ,even stuck or worn reed valves ,how about fresh fuel and correct oil ratio if its been stood a while the petrol might have evaporated and left more oil behind. or fuel pump not working just right or the airvent closed on the tank .

[Nos4r2]

If you've got to choke it right up like that to start it sounds like you're not getting enough fuel.Check your fuel pump. As M Chappelow said, could also be stuck reeds but they'd have to be pretty bad on all 3 pots to affect it across the board.

[greigph]

Hi took the reed blocks out this morning and there is corrosios on the blocks under the reeds themselves causing them not to be able to seat correctly, anyone selling a set of blocks and reeds? number of them is 6H402
Thanks again for all your help