Did I squeeze the bulb too hard?

[SleekWolf]

Let me start by saying there's 2 reasons this happened. 1. I'm a rookie. :facepalm: 2. The bulb was stiff from being dry and sitting too long. OK, so I'm priming the motor for the first time since I bought this boat and the bulb is really stiff so if was taking considerable force to pump it, but it's priming... I thought it felt a little stiffer but wasn't sure and gave it a harder squeeze. At this point I felt it "give" and fuel started squirting from the vent jet on the top carb. Sooo I cranked it up and fuel continued to spurt out as it ran. Did I blow the float/needle out or something? It should be noted that I have also since discovered that the female fuel connector was full of rust which got pumped into the motor. I have flushed out the fuel pump and replaced all the fuel lines. The gas was filthy brown until I got it all flushed out of the fuel pump.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Did I squeeze the bulb too hard?

A firm handshake is all the pressure needed to prime the carbs, that healtlhy squeeze overcame the float pressure on the needle and allowed the carbs to flood, possibly, probably, pushing some of that rust and muck into the carb, getting onto the needle/seat making it unable to seal.

Replacing the hose is just the first step.

Remove the carbs for proper cleaning/rebuilding, along with the fuel pump, it has valves also.

While everything is apart, flush the fuel lines out. Replace any other old hoses.

If all the fuel hoses are old, chances are the small recirc hoses on the motor are also getting old and ready to fail. Change them.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Did I squeeze the bulb too hard?

You can overpower the needle valves with the primer bulb, but you can't damage them. The problem is that you forced some crud into the carbs, pinning a needle valve open.

You'd best clean up your whole fuel system before you run it much, or you risk real serious damage to your power head from lean burn.