Does gas connection always have ball in valve connection?

[bjones2]

I know this is a strange question, but I've been having all sorts of strange problems, which I've posted questions about recently ( ie cutouts and stop switch questions), however the last time I had problems starting, I had about given up, but wiggled the gas line connection to the motor, and the thing started right up next try. I've noticed a slight gas leak around the connection there, so I decided to replace the gas line. <br /> I bought a new line, including the primer bulb and new connection to motor, however when I was installing the new one, I noticed that the new one has a little silver ball in the connection, but my old one does not. See picture: <br /><br /><img style="width: 675px; height: 449px;" alt="" src="http://www.megalink.net/~wejones/omcgas108.jpg "> <br /><br />My problems are very intermittant. Is it possible that the ball fell out of my old connector, and that is making the operation of the connection intermittant, whereas it sometimes works and sometimes doesn't? Or do some of these connectors have silver balls and other ones not have them???<br /><br /> I have replaced the whole assembly, but it is too early to tell whether it helped or not.<br /><br />thanks

 

[angus63]

Re: Does gas connection always have ball in valve connection?

Different manufacturers have different components. I have found that using connectors and bulbs other than OMC/BRP in the fuel system can often be troublesome. Stick with the OEM stuff to eliminate the issue.

 

[bjones2]

Re: Does gas connection always have ball in valve connection?

But I'm still curious whether the OEM original has the silver ball or not? The one in the picture is the original, but every other one I've seen has a ball. Ie I don't know if my original one is missing a part.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Does gas connection always have ball in valve connection?

bjones2, it must have a check ball of some color or other, otherwise it would leak fuel heavily all the time. I have never seen one other than silver(metal), but it wouldn't surprise me if there's a cheap black plastic version out there too.

 

[bjones2]

Re: Does gas connection always have ball in valve connection?

I think that confirms my suspicion.<br />Somehow the ball must have fallen out of mine.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Does gas connection always have ball in valve connection?

The composition of the ball is not important but the o ring is. That provides the seal to keep the air out.

 

[bjones2]

Re: Does gas connection always have ball in valve connection?

In my case, it isn't a question of the "composition" of the ball, it is that the ball isn't there at all.<br /> The O-ring does seem to be there, and most of the time it does not leak. So I wasn't that concerned about a leak. I am a bit confused at what the function of the ball is. I had assumed that it provided a seal when the connection was not connected to the motor, however the thing does not leak gas when not connected, no matter how much pressure the bulb is pumped to. <br /> What I am thinking, but not certain about, is that the ball's function is to push in the pin on the valve on the motor. Looking at my connector without it's ball, it still seems like it would be functional if a little floating piece of plastic is centered properly so that it will hit the pin on the motor connector, but if the plastic isn't centered properly, I think it might be possible that the valve on the motor won't get opened. I'm also thinking that the pin might be pushed and opened, but upon the vibration of high speed motoring, the pin might slip off the plastic piece, and the valve might close, causing my sudden cutout problems? <br /> Anyway, I replaced the connector, and took the boat out yesterday, and didn't have any starting or cutout problem, but only time will tell, since my problems have been very intermittant. I'm just trying to convince myself that the missing ball could possibly cause the starting and cutout problems I've been experiencing. <br /><br />thanks