Carburetor problems used to drive me crazy. My 2-stroke outboard would sputter, stall, or refuse to start at the ramp. Nine times out of ten, it came down to dirty carbs.
At first, I grabbed whatever carb cleaner was cheapest at the store. Big mistake. Some left residue, and one even damaged a gasket. After some trial and error, I settled on two products that work well for me: Gumout and Sea Foam Spray. Both cut through varnish and gunk without being too harsh on seals.
The way I use it is simple: remove the carb, strip it down, and spray every jet and passage until it runs clear. Then I hit the throat of the carb while the engine’s running for a quick clean-out between fishing trips.
Since getting serious about using the right carb cleaner, my outboard has started quicker, idled smoother, and saved me from being “that guy” stuck at the ramp.