1968 johnson 20hp Fuel pump or fuel line problem?

[kawaboy-zx11]

i have a 1968 johnson 20 HP and i noticed today that when i am going along at a steady pass, the motor stars to bog down, if i pump up the primer bulb it starts running good again, would you say it is a fuel pump problem or a fuel line leak? im not sure if sucking air into the fuel line would cause this, but my johnson fitting SOMETIMES has leak where it goes on the motor (sometimes when i squeeze the bulb gas will squirt out at the fitting). also sometimes the bulb will get hard easily and sometimes it take a lot of pumps. Thanks

 

[F_R]

It could be the fuel pump. It could be the hose. Or it could be the tank. Or it could be all three. But since you know for a fact that the hose connector is leaking, why don't you start with that? Also look for leakage where the hose plugs onto the tank. ANY leak anywhere will admit air and air is easier to move than gas.

 

[oldboat1]

had some problems with a fitting this year too. Seemed to periodically block flow when connected at start up (solved by running a small screwdriver up into the spring and valve to get it seating and working, apparently -- that and just leaving it on the motor. This is a trolling motor that stays on the boat.) I have a spare connector or two onboard, but leaving it alone as long as it works and doesn't leak.

probably should replace yours. me too.

that hand pumping to keep running is the classic fuel pump symptom, but maybe ain't necessarily so. Think I might work on the tank and lines side first. If that fails, maybe replace or rebuild that blasted little square pump (might clean the pump filter screen, if you haven't done that already).