merc 6hp fuel pump?

[mrjhume]

I have a 1969 merc 6hp that seems to have a problem with the fuel pump. It runs if i keep pumping the bulb, but shuts down slowly if i stop pumping it. At the end of last season i got a new fuel pump kit without the check valves. It seemed to help for a while, but by the end of the day it had the same problem. A new fuel pump kit with check valves is almost $50 compared to $5 without, so i don't want to spend the money if something else could be the problem. Any thoughts?

 

[TriadSteeler]

Re: merc 6hp fuel pump?

Did you recently rebuild the carbs? Especially did you replace the inlet needle. The replacement float needles sometimes have some excess rubber at the tip sticking out of the sides that can cause them to stick. Pumping the bulb would be more than enough pressure to unstick the needle, but the fuel pump doesn't provide nearly as much pressure.

Mine stuck until they were well lubed up with gas/oil mix.