Bad bulb?

[tmfd]

I don't get how the fuel pumping bulb goes bad? Walls lose rigidity or what? Anyway, my bulb does not get hard, yes that is as bad as it sounds
My motor runs fine for a while, then the bulb is flat and pumping it seems to get a little fuel flow. Disconnecting the bulb on the tank side and it fills up with air and regains it's original shape. But cannot seem to pump adequate fuel from the tank to the motor, almost like the line is plugged from the tank.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Bad bulb?

check your fuel vent....is it open ?

 

[tmfd]

Re: Bad bulb?

I'll check that, once I find where it is?? I also have a fuel/water separator if that makes a difference. Thanks.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Bad bulb?

thats cause it is.
it cant flow from the liquid level to the primer.
vent closed/obstructed,tank connector bad or the draw tube screen is clooged.
fuel pump is working though.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bad bulb?

almost like the line is plugged from the tank.

Ayuh,... It Is, or the tank ain't given up it's fuel....

 

[tmfd]

Re: Bad bulb?

thats cause it is.
it cant flow from the liquid level to the primer.
vent closed/obstructed,tank connector bad or the draw tube screen is clooged.
fuel pump is working though.

So, something is clogged. How does one go about getting at the draw tube screen? Would it be accessable from where the sending unit is? I can blow air through the vent hole on the hull only if the fuel tank cap is opened. Is that how it should be?

 

[Fed]

Re: Bad bulb?

Yes that's how it should be.

Are you blowing through the vent fitting or did you pull the hose off and blow through that?
Those vent fittings have a wire mesh in them that can easily block up with salt.
If you're blowing through the fitting from the outside of the hull I'd like to see a picture of that. LOL!

If your filter/water sep is between the tank and the primer bulb then the blockage could be there too.

I'd be looking at the tank as the last option.

 

[jim372]

Re: Bad bulb?

on my outboard tanks i have to replace the primer bulb each year for it goes bad

 

[tmfd]

Re: Bad bulb?

Thanks for the help guys. Fed, yes, thats how I did it, as I don't have any access to the vent tube anywhere else, sorry didnt get a picture I am replacing the bulb and the fuel/water separater to see if that helps. If I don't get it fixed I'll have to run a 6 gallon portable as I'm going on vacation for a week in a week. Got to have the boat ready to go ya know?

 

[Fed]

Re: Bad bulb?

Sound like your vent is fine, is the filter/water sep is between the tank and the primer bulb?
Would have to see your tank to advise on the pickup tube.

 

[Rick.]

Re: Bad bulb?

Pull the hose at the inlet to the primer and blow air back to the tank. That will clean your screen or what ever needs to be cleaned. I'm talking lower pressure compressed air and remove your tank cap first. Best of luck. Rick.

 

[tmfd]

Re: Bad bulb?

Will give that a try, thanks again.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Bad bulb?

Make sure the arrows on the bulb are going the direction of the fuel flow. If it's venting right,I would then unhook the separator and splice around it to make sure thats not pluged. When you unhook the separator you should be able to blow into the inlet line back to the tank and see if the p/u tube is pluged.

 

[tmfd]

Re: Bad bulb?

I really appreciate all the help from my fellow boaters. I am going to work on the problem this weekend using all this advice and see if we can't lick this thing.

 

[outlaw241]

Re: Bad bulb?

i would get a Evinrude primer bulb from a dealer ,the ones at wall mart are crap

 

[tmfd]

Re: Bad bulb?

Nothing that I can get too seems to be plugged, separator,lines,vent. Bulb is ok. As far as blowing back into the tank with compressed air, isn't there a valve or something that would prevent air or anything else from flowing back into the tank?
Anyhow, I've resorted to buying a 6 gallon portable and hooking that up, fits out of the way under the splash guard at the back, so I'm at least ready for the water.