90 Evinrude no fuel to primer when starting

[mbroughton02]

1981 Evinrude 90 won't start on its own after it's been sitting awhile. I could crank it for days and nothing happens.

When I crank the engine with the key pushed in, no fuel is being delivered through the primer solenoid. I can take an outlet hose off the solenoid and see this.

I know the solenoid itself is working because if I have someone else hold the key in and squeeze the bulb, fuel flows through the primer solenoid just fine. To get it started if I'm by myself, I will engage the manual start lever on the primer solenoid and squeeze the bulb a few times. I then can put the lever back, squeeze the bulb 1 or 2 times until firm, and the engine will start immediately.

Engine runs great once it's started. Idle to WOT no issue at all. Could this be a faulty fuel pump? What is it that is supposed to make fuel flow through the primer solenoid when the solenoid is engaged?

 

[racerone]

Fuel pressure from the fuel pump ( when cranking ) is what goes through the primer VALVE.----This unit is NOT a pump.----Key is to be pushed in and held in while cranking the motor over.

 

[mbroughton02]

Fuel pressure from the fuel pump ( when cranking ) is what goes through the primer VALVE.----This unit is NOT a pump.----Key is to be pushed in and held in while cranking the motor over.

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, I understand that the primer is simply a solenoid valve and not a pump. So my question is, why isn't fuel flowing through the primer when cranking? I am holding the key in.

 

[racerone]

You have in fact stated that the electric valve does open when an assistant pushes the key in and you operate the manual fuel pump.-----So in my opinion you may have low pressure from the fuel pump.-----There are several causes for this.-----One is engine damage and low crankcase pressure pulses.-----Start with a cylinder compression test as that may reveal something.