It is a 2 stroke model. I assume the reed valve is what allows the fuel oil mixture into the crankcase and that goes into the cyl to be compressed and combusted. I could actually see the reed valve behind where the carbs mounted. There's no doubt that some fuel/oil is getting into the combustion...
This is Brian. I worked on George's 3 cyl, 50HP outboard on his sailboat. We saw no trash in any of the carbs, spraying brake cleaner through all ports and passages of every part of those carbs. We did not actually rebuild the carbs, but carefully disassembled, inspected, verified, and...