I have the same problems with my old DCOE18s. It's likely stiction within the bearings, throttle rod, butterfly-to-throat, etc. I haven't done much to alleviate it as I've been content with my throttle return. I went as far as the change out the internal throttle returns for new ones. It wasn't too difficult but don't expect it to be a piece of cake. That didn't change a whole lot. I've done the same blip one carb at-a-time test and they all failed to completely return to idle. I said the hell with it and just set up the linkage as best as I could. Thinking more on the throttle mechanism, there are two springs in there fighting against one another: the return spring and accel pump spring. I haven't done so, but I'm curious how much of an effect removing the accel pump springs would have on throttle return. This would simulate getting a slightly stiffer return spring.