Stall in water idle only

[csvencer]

Similar to Carl's problem but I didn't want to hi jack his thread. 98 Johnson 175 2 stroke, carbed that won't idle in the water. On the ear muffs it has no problem idling around 1000 rpms but in the water she stalls out. It also has a weird issue with throttling up. When I go to throttle her up, in the water, it is real rough up to about 1500 rpms and usually stalls out, like it was flooded, but if/when I get her past 1500 its all smooth sailing.

Scenario, I start it up with a couple bumps on the primer (choke), shift into gear, continue to bump the primer while giving it more gas to "get over the hump" and then she is fine by 2000 rpms. I am not sure if it is a starving or flooding issue as it is really hit or miss on what gets it running. Sometimes pumping the ball seems to help, sometimes not, sometimes too many hits on the choke and she dies out. It's a very delicate process leaving the pier!

First thing I was going to do is drop some sea foam through the tank to try and do an easy clean, followed by some engine tuner via the shrader valve. Then I am guessing a carb tear down / cleaning. Any other ideas suggestions?

Thanks.

-Svence