35hp non-CDI MB LA special w/ mikuni, crossover, and head work with 184 hours. I was out playing last weekend without a problem, through weeds and hycicanth, over logs, etc, and came across some fellas with an outboard that wouldn't start. I offered to tow them the mile or so back up river to the ramp, and of course was idling the whole time while towing. Was idling kinda low, about 900 rpms. after about 3/4 mile, the motor appeared to begin to run rich and acted like it wanted to choke down. i put it in neutral and gave it a little throttle which produced a big plume of black smoke, kicked the clutch back in gear and towed them the remainder of the way. When i went to take off, it began running rough, i mean like chit. skipping, sputtering, backfiring, etc. i stopped on a bank and pulled the plugs (which were fairly new, didnt have many hours on them), they were obviously fouled (maybe from low idle for a distance?) i hit em with brake parts cleaner and continued, problem got a LITTLE better, but not gone. When i got home, i replaced plugs, and when i put the battery on charge noticed it was around 50%. Think it was just the plugs and half dead battery? or could my ignition coils need a close look? If it was something with the fuel system i feel like it would run like chit from the get go. I will be taking it back out this weekend to determine if the half dead battery and fouled plugs were the only issue. Thanks in advance for any help anyone may offer.

My engine used to do exactly that when I had dual carbs on it. I am sure you were just running rich and your engine was just flooding. Try it out this weekend and see but as long as you do not idle for a long time you should be fine.

Maybe some one else will chime in and give better advise as what to check.

thanks man. think i'm going to turn the idle screw up a bit as well.