Beware Cheap Primer Bulbs

J

Jerryda96

Cadet
Joined
Sep 20, 2002
Messages
18
I replaced my primer bulb with one from Walmart. Did some other work on the motor before taking it out for a spin.(Water pump, disable VRO, etc.)<br /><br />Have to go idle speed for about a mile before I can open it up. I get up on a plane (Bass Boat) for about 10-20 seconds and the engine starts bogging down. Even running rough in neutral. After pumping bulb was able to repeat for 10 seconds. <br /><br />Tore bulb apart. It has two check valves. One on tank side and one on carb side. It was missing a spring on the check valve on the carb side.<br /><br />Fortunately I had a spare bulb I use for siphoning gas from my car when I need it for lawn mower or boat. Runs great now.<br /><br />Lesson learned, stick with outboard dealer parts.
 
H

Hooty

Rear Admiral
Joined
Oct 2, 2001
Messages
4,496
Re: Beware Cheap Primer Bulbs

Die Hard is right on! I test them puppies before I leave the store. Be sure one end sucks and the other end blows.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty
 
J

Jack Shellac

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 7, 2002
Messages
1,661
Re: Beware Cheap Primer Bulbs

Also annoying are the ones where the bulb material gets so hard you can hardly squeeze it. I've had good luck with the gray Tempos.
 
Yepblaze

Yepblaze

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 1, 2001
Messages
1,686
Re: Beware Cheap Primer Bulbs

Or one of the caged check balls seems to dislodge internally shutting off any flow out, yet yeilding a firm bulb when squeezed.
 
R

rons boat

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 28, 2002
Messages
210
Re: Beware Cheap Primer Bulbs

I find that the bad bulbs are not necessaryly related to price. I know the material they use is not the best, but I have had problems with more expensive units. I believe some of my problems are related to heat and gas vaporizing, pressure building up, and actually popping the valves out of one end or the other and doing other damage as well. I have taken many apart and have now started realeaving pressure with a sharp object at the end of the day. I now have somewhat better luck. Surely someone can find a material that stays soft and provide extreme pressure relief. I recommend you take your defective bulbs apart as it helped me understand what is going on.
 
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