[newhaul]

As a marine mechanic I would hazard that the mechanic you hired didn't either set the float correctly or didn't set the needles correctly the choke is sticking or some combination of all the above the problem is not due to the valves or pistons. M2cw

 

[newhaul]

Blue smoke indicates oil. Running fast is idle adjustment or vacuum leak. A float set extremely low can cause fast idle but not smoke too. I would also suggest, from your description, you have other issues. Is the base gasket on correctly, vacuum connections, breather?

Actually when an engine is running extremely rich it will exhaust blue smoke with a distinct gas smell just like the op described

 

[newhaul]

Partially or un-burnt fuel will result in a black exhaust emission. Blue smoke = Oil and White = Coolant (steam). Of course the colors are subtle and I agree your nose is often a much better indicator when it comes to determining if your exhaust emissions are the result of fuel, oil, or coolant.

Certainly residue and the smell of gasoline in the engine compartment is cause for major concern. Had a customer with a very similar situation. Ended up he had connected the crankcase breather to the intake manifold which resulted in a high idle and blue exhaust emissions.

I owned an auto repair shop for many years now I do marine to supliment my
VA and my cruising kitty What does it mean when a car is running to rich Running rich can be accompanied by a distinct exhaust smell, and in the extreme cases, some blue smoke

 

[newhaul]

ALSO, the mechanic failed to seat the choke cable bracket correctly. Not sure if this has anything to do with it, but I thought I would mention it.

Thanks again for your advice.

He did that wrong makes me wonder what else he forgot to do.
My advise learn to do it the manuals are available and find a mechanic you can trust.
http://www.moyermarine.com/reference/a4manual2.pdf

 

[newhaul]

Newhaul-
"find a mechanic you can trust."
Reminds me of something Benjamin Franklin said, that any three men can keep a secret as long as two of them are dead. So any dead mechanic should be trustworthy, although, I'd still have reservations about some of them.
.

Sorry you feel that way there are many people that trust me to do the best job I can do on their vessels and I have been doing it for over 20 years so I must be doing something right