8 HP Evinrude losing power, missing
I have an 8 horse Evinrude that is giving me trouble. I looked up the serial number and it is either a late 80's or early 90's model. It started missing a couple months ago. I had forgotten to close the vent on the gas tank and it got rained on, so I just thought there was water in the tank. I drained the tank, fresh gas and oil, and tried again and it was a little better for a while but still misses. I will be going along on plane and all of a sudden the motor will drop out for just a second and then keep going. Sometimes it may only do it once or twice the whole trip and sometimes it does it over and over.
Today, it missed a time or two, but then it started losing power slowly until it was barely running. Seemed like a fuel problem like a blocked vent or air leak or something. I squeezed the bulb while it was going on and the bulb was not tight.
When I got home I checked the plugs, one is dirty but normal, and the other one is really black and oily. It actually had a drop of oil on the insulator. I held it against the block and cranked the motor and it had a good strong spark. I'm pretty good with engines but don't have much experience with outboards. Any help about what to check would be appreciated!
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.