Having an issue with a 2000 Mercury 50hp bigfoot. The summer before last it started giving me issues where it had no top end and would run very rough anytime I tried to go over 2500rpm. Last summer it wasn't used. This summer, before putting it back in I cleaned the carbs. Put the boat in and it ran great for about an hour. No issues at low RPM or WOT. Suddenly, I lost the top end again with it refusing to run above the 2000s and running very rough even just above idle. I pulled the carbs and again cleaned them, using an ultrasonic cleaner, carb cleaner, torch cleaning tools, and an air compressor. They were absolutely spotless. Put the carbs back on and the motor sounded and ran to perfection for about 15minutes before again running rough and not throttling above 2500 or so. No change in running condition if I pump the bulb and the bulb stays hard.
So Far:
New fuel tank
New Fuel Filter
New Fuel Pump
Cleaned carbs with new orings
checked Stator, Coils, all switches and sensors
Spark plugs replaced and spark plug wires inspected
Tried running with fuel cap loose to rule out venting issue – no change
Fuel is fresh
New Thermostat
It appears to be a fuel flow issue, I'm not sure how the carbs could have clogged again within 15min. I ran the fuel system dry and put in a new fuel filter before reinstalling carbs.
Anyone have ideas on what to try next? I feel like nothing fits as a possible problem
So Far:
New fuel tank
New Fuel Filter
New Fuel Pump
Cleaned carbs with new orings
checked Stator, Coils, all switches and sensors
Spark plugs replaced and spark plug wires inspected
Tried running with fuel cap loose to rule out venting issue – no change
Fuel is fresh
New Thermostat
It appears to be a fuel flow issue, I'm not sure how the carbs could have clogged again within 15min. I ran the fuel system dry and put in a new fuel filter before reinstalling carbs.
Anyone have ideas on what to try next? I feel like nothing fits as a possible problem

