needs gas

[chuckwagonsam]

While it's winter time and the boats' in storage, thought I'd get some insight on a problem that developed on my last trip out. I have a 19' '96 Nitro with an '86 150 Johnson. Just as it would start to plane out the motor dies like it ran out of gas. The bulb is sucked flat. My thought is the motor is asking for the gas but it's not getting there. Air leak in my tank lines?

 

[Bosunsmate]

blockage in tank intake or tank air valve blocked

 

[gm280]

Sucking the primer bulb flat is indication that either you have the primer bulb installed backwards, OR you have the tank vent shut... Could even be a blockage in the fuel tank or line coming from the tank as well. Are you sure your fuel line isn't coming apart internally? I hear some suspect fuel lines are doing that. Check it out and see...

 

[chuckwagonsam]

Bulb installed correctly. It and the fuel line from the hull barb to the motor new last year. Tank lines are original.. I'll replace them and go from there.

 

[gm280]

Bulb installed correctly. It and the fuel line from the hull barb to the motor new last year. Tank lines are original.. I'll replace them and go from there.

It is possible to have clean fuel line coming from the tank, even to the point of seeing light through them, and still plug internally when a huge amount of fuel is demanded. So slowly running the engine doesn't demand as much fuel and your line could be okay for such a small amount. But when you really power up, the fuel demand is also pushed up and the increase demand could be closing the fuel line by the inside fuel lines coming apart. There were some issues on these forums back some time ago about bad fuel line closing up and creating fuel draw problems... JMHO!

 

[steelespike]

If you have a disconnect at the tank is it on right?Years ago a green relative had the line on upside down latch and fuel side reversed.
A flat bulb is really straight forward.The tank is not venting or there is a blockage somewhere between the dip tube and the squeeze bulb.

 

[boobie]

You could also have a bad anti-syphon valve or a clogged pick up in the tank.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Is the fuel line grey in color or black?

 

[chuckwagonsam]

It's black. Vents were open. Dual tanks with valve.Any suggestions on type of fuel line to buy? Will replace all as soon as winter breaks here in W. Pa.

 

[Silvertip]

There cannot be a restriction between the bulb and the tank. To suck the primer bulb flat the restriction has to be between the bulb and the fuel pickup in the tank. That leaves the pickup, the filter on the end of the pickup tube, the anti-siphon valve or the section of fuel line between the anti-siphon valve and the primer bulb. Since you have a dual tank system with a valve, is the valve manual or electric? either way, if the valve is not working properly -- such as having both ports plugged with gunk, that causes a restriction and the bulb gets sucked flat.

 

[emdsapmgr]

At least you are not running the older grey fuel line... I'm a fan of the Bombardier fuel hose lines. 3/8" size. It's possible the ball valves in the fuel line are bad, so if you replace the fuel line from the tank, why not get a pre-made line with a new hose bulb. Bombardier part # 5008585. 10' long. The fuel hose bulb should be oriented so that the arrow on the side points in an upward direction. If the bulb is old and is laying "downhill" in the splashwell of the boat-that could be part of the problem.

 

[chuckwagonsam]

Thanks for the response everyone.