1989 50hp johnson idle problems and bulb sucking flat

[wheelers4life]

ihave a 1989 johnson 50 hp it has had a problem ideling for some time now. but runs great. some times it idles great sometimes it does not. today i pulled off the vro pump and pulled it apart both dia[hrams looked good. I cleaned then up oiled them and put it backed together. i labled every hoes and took pictures. pluged the oiler and unpluged the plugs. mixed 50:1 ration in the tank and went to the lake. ok started up great and when i took off i sucked the bulb flat. not sure why this is. i checked the vent on the cap and it is clear, when i got home i pulled off the pickuo tube and it looks good no cracks and it was not stopped up. any ideas would be great . this is on a 1992 lowe pontoon boat with built in tank that is above the engine.

 

[kax2000]

When I that problem I turned the fuel bulb and hose assembly around.

 

[Silvertip]

Look at the primer bulb. There is normally an arrow that points to the direction of fuel flow. That bulb must be installed with the arrow pointing toward the engine. Reverse it and you have the problem you have. The only other thing that can cause the bulb to suck flat is a restriction between the tank and the bulb. Suck hard on an empty soda bottle if physics is not a strong point.

 

[wheelers4life]

Ok I pulled the tank and flushed it. I replaced the fuel lines and cleaned out the fuel pump. Fresh gas and I installed a fuel water separator seemed to work good for about an hour. The bulb would not flatten out but it did start getting soft. Engine started dying if I was ideling. Not sure what is going on. Now my power tilt and trim will not move. I can hear the motor but it does not move