Mercury 40 HP problem....HELP!!

[SpeckWick]

OK, just checked for spark. I have spark at both plugs. I started the motor. It started on the first crank. Ran for a minute in idle and died. When I tried to restart it, it wouldn't at first. I put it in neutral and opened it up. It started and sputtered and spit blue smoke, then ran okay, but not at low idle. When I was trying to restart it, I walked back and noticed gas coming from the front of the carb. Flooded, obviously. I have a neighbor who is an auto mechanic and finally caught him home and he seems to think it's the carb diaphram or float allowing it to flood. He says this will cause fouled plugs and all the other symptoms I have. The vent is clear, I have spark. I am inclined to believe he may be right. It all makes sense to me, but again, I'm no expert. Is he wrong? Any other things I should check first? I am hoping to limp through a tournament this Sunday and next Sunday then I have the whole month of July and August to get it rebuilt. Am I taking too big a chance to run it this way?

[Barnacle Bill]

OK, just checked for spark. I have spark at both plugs. I started the motor. It started on the first crank. Ran for a minute in idle and died. When I tried to restart it, it wouldn't at first. I put it in neutral and opened it up. It started and sputtered and spit blue smoke, then ran okay, but not at low idle. When I was trying to restart it, I walked back and noticed gas coming from the front of the carb. Flooded, obviously. I have a neighbor who is an auto mechanic and finally caught him home and he seems to think it's the carb diaphram or float allowing it to flood. He says this will cause fouled plugs and all the other symptoms I have. The vent is clear, I have spark. I am inclined to believe he may be right. It all makes sense to me, but again, I'm no expert. Is he wrong? Any other things I should check first? I am hoping to limp through a tournament this Sunday and next Sunday then I have the whole month of July and August to get it rebuilt. Am I taking too big a chance to run it this way?

Yup, you need to rebuild the carbs using new needle and seats. They are really very simple to rebuild once you get them off. As long as its flooding the cylinder instead of running dry it won't hurt to run it. You might try adding some Seafoam to the gas. You might get lucky (and thats a big might).