1991 40 hp fuel filter?

[airshot]

My 40 hp Johnso has what appears to be a fuel filter right above the big red elecrical plug, I notice that when the motor is running that there is only between 1/8 to 1/4 inch of fuel in the bottom of this. If I pump the primer ball
it fills a little less than half way up but drops back down to the lower level right away. Is this normal?? Is that a filter? Motor purrs like a kitten but no top end, extremely slow to get up on plane. Thanks for all your help as usual.

Airshot

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1991 40 hp fuel filter?

normal. i would check compression and spark on both cylinders, when were the carbs last cleaned. i have read both your post.

 

[airshot]

Re: 1991 40 hp fuel filter?

Thanks for the reply, spark is excellent, compression is 150 on both cylinders.
It is sounding more like carbs all the time, just looking at other prospects to be sure. When I saw the low fuel in the filter, i was thinking pump, but if that is normal then back to the carbs.

Airshot