Fuel not reaching 9.9 mercury kicker

[Mokdaddy]

Hi I just purchased a 1970 something 22’ Sangster, with a 351 raw water cooled inboard. The main motor is plumbed into dual gas tanks. The 9.9 mercury kicker is plumbed into the same lines with a switch. When I pump the squeeze ball I can’t get it to go hard. I do hear gas going up and then falling back down. I can get it to squirt some gas out using my finger as a back check but when I plug into motor it seems to lose its prime. Thanks for reading, it’s my virgin post. Spent countless hours reading forums on this site

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Where is the tank? And where is the primer bulb? On my boat the tank is about 13 feet from the motors, and I found the primer bulb should be closer to the tank then the motor. Hold the primer bulb vertical with arrow pointing up when priming..

 

[Sea Rider]

Is there any fuel spill on carb when primming ? if so, bulb won't prime firm..Is the tank's air vent open ?

Happy Boating

 

[QBhoy]

Hi. Likely stating the obvious but is the primer bulb the correct way round ? They are uni directional and have a direction of flow arrow on them usually.

 

[Mokdaddy]

Tanks are about 12’ from kicker and tanks are definitely lower. Not sure if the tanks vents are open. Should they be? I will try holding straight up and see if that works. Also going to try and replace the squeeze ball. This corona virus makes it seem like you risking your life to go out and buy a simple boat part. There is no fuel spilling out of the carb. Thanks for your reply’s They are super helpful

 

[QBhoy]

Tanks are about 12’ from kicker and tanks are definitely lower. Not sure if the tanks vents are open. Should they be? I will try holding straight up and see if that works. Also going to try and replace the squeeze ball. This corona virus makes it seem like you risking your life to go out and buy a simple boat part. There is no fuel spilling out of the carb. Thanks for your reply’s They are super helpful

Yeah the tank vent needs to be open. Check you have the bulb the right direction too.

 

[Mokdaddy]

So I fiddled with the carb drain screw and that allowed me to pump the squeeze primer ball hard. Motor still won’t start. Went out tonight with a spark plug tester and no spark!!!!