carb removal

I am trying to remove carb to clean, but it looks like the starter needs to be removed first this looks like a jobto remove starter. Motor is 2000 johnson 25 hp. Anybody have an easy suggeztion?

What is your motor doing / not doing ?--------The starter is not that hard to remove, just a few bolts / nuts.

It is some type of fuel restriction problem. I traced all lines from fuel intake to be carb trouble. Cant get it to full throttle. Figured if i removed the carb and cleaned it, it would solve the problem. In order to remove the carb, the starter needs to come off, and it looks like the housing that supports needs to be removed. Anyone have a suggestions.

I have had similar fuel problems with outboards in the past, but the carb was easy to access. Also had a very similar fuel issue with a generator recently, pulled the carb, cleaned it, and it fired right up.