ive replaced the fuel pump, cleaned the carbs and replaced the spark plugs. The engine will die when i try to idle. Does ok when givin gas but just dies when i let off. Any suggestions?

maybe turn the idle screw in some.

manufacturer, year, HP?

did it idle before you "cleaned the carbs"?

did you install carb kits?

did you link & sync?

SLOW SPEED NEEDLE VALVE ADJUSTMENT
Initial setting is: Slow speed = seat gently, then open 1-1/2 turns.

Start engine and set the rpms to where it just stays running. In increments of 1/8 turn, start turning the S/S needle valve in, give the engine a couple seconds to respond. As you turn the valve in, the rpms will increase. Lower the rpms again to where the engine will just stay running.

Eventually you'll hit the point where the engine wants to die out or it will spit back (sounds like a mild backfire). At that point, back out the valve 1/4 turn. Within that 1/4 turn, you'll find the smoothest slow speed setting.

Do one carb at a time until you hit the above response (die out or spit back), then go on to the next. As a final adjustment, it may be necessary to back out "all" of the slow speed adjustable needle valves 1/8 turn.

The engine is a 1984 Johnson 60hp, it started not getting enough gas about three weeks ago and you had to pump the bulb to make it not die while you were running. But not all the time. Then Satuday i took it out and it would start but not idle you had to take off as soon as you started it. I havent added any carb kits and not sure what "link and sync" means.

Sounds like the carbs idle circuits where not cleaned good enough. Have seen where gasket is installed wrong on these motors covering the bowl vents of the carbs.

Hey guys...wouldn't this happen if the fuel line was pulling air in somewhere (hole in the line, loose clamp aft of bulb, etc)?

Found fuel line leak where line is hooked to pump before when it was dying out while running, but when i fixed that it started doing what it is doing now but no longer leaking fuel.

Take the air box off and start it on a water jacket at the house. See if fuel is blowing out the front of the carbs or carb. If it is you have stuck rings in that cylinder.....HEAVY decarbonize that cylinder, Add ring free or a simular product to the fuel, and run the snot out of it for an hour at the lake.....Also chek the sync and link to each carb. If the air fuel mixture is on the side of the carb, Set them at 2.75 turns out from bottom. If it has air fuel mix screws on the front of carb, set them at 1.5-1.75 turns out.

Thanks for all the responses. I havent had time to mess with it but will hopefully start tommorrow. Ill keep you posted any more suggestions will help.

1984 60hp carbs have 3 fixed jets, so the needle valve adjustments don't apply.

Pumping the bulb to make it run indicates weak fuel pump needs rebuilding.

Link & sync is the process of syncronizing the carb throttle valves with each other and with spark the timing advance.

The fuel pump is only 4 months old is there warranty on those?

How old is the primer bulb? That could be the culprit...

Ha that would be an easy fix ill try that first.