Saving Old Seagulls

Just wondering if my seagull as it is my first why the revs keep changing it runs high and drops and runs high again. Its almost like it wants to die but never does

I read johns FAQs and i though it could be timing but the FAQs says there fixed?

Cheers Rob

Fuel problem probably.
I ran my two last weekend on fuel that was nearly two months old and they wouldn't run without the choke being closed.

I ran one of my one on year old fuel no problem at all.
Is it running in a tank, or on the water?
Sounds like it may just need a tune up or the carb cleaned.

I took a 4hr boat trip and was totally fine and 5 minutes in a tank does the same thing with the revs

Cleaned the carb before the trip and what do you mean by a tune up?

You running it in a small tank with the prop on? Could be cavitation.
Mine usually run fine in the tank and shit out on the water

They dont like stale fuel but fuel that has been properly stored should be OK. And 2 month old fuel should be Ok

I usually keep a couple of full, tightly capped, 2 gallon cans from one year to the next. I always filter it before use. I mix it 50:50 with fresh for my Evinrude but just add extra oil for use in the Seagull.

If it only runs on the choke then possibly stale fuel, possibly carb dirty or just needs adjusting. Be sure the carb is correctly assembled if it has been dismantled for cleaning. See the diagrams on the website

If it wont run in a tank then its possibly because its breathing in its own exhaust fumes if you have it clamped to the rim of a smallish tank.
A tank like this is fine, can keep the prop on too



Basic timing check is to ensure that the magneto base plate clamp correctly locates in the dimple made for it on the crankcase.

Timing is also dependent on the pints gap being correct

I'm deducing fuel as I filled up two Centuries and they both behaved the same way.