I have an 03 225HO Evinrude (I will get the serial # tonight) and it has become hard to start and runs rough at low RPM, but not all the time. Once you get above about 2k RPM it smooths out and runs very well. Top end not affected at all. Once I get to my spot and fish, sometimes it hard to restart (acts like it gets flooded) and then when it does start it smokes alot. Smokes clears up pretty quick. I replaced the fuel ball and fuel water/separator but it didnt seem to change anything. I ran some Evinrude fuel system cleaner(beige colored bottle I got from dealer) through and didnt change anything. I ran the fuel tank very low and filled it back up completely and no change.
The best description I can think of is it acts like it has some water in the gas tank, once you get it wound up it runs good and smooth with no issue. But starting and low rpm, another story.
Suggestions
BTW: Whatever happened to Rusty63 on the BBC?