Primer bulb for a permanently-mounted motor?

[guy48065]

I recently bought 2 used Kawasaki jet skis. In one the PO has added a primer bulb. I can't think what good that would do for a boat with a permanently-mounted motor with the gas tank mounted above the carbs.

It starts just as quick as the one without but it'll be a few weeks before the water is warm enough to really test them.

These are 96 & 97 1100 Zxi models.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would ask the guy you bought it from as to why he added it.

 

[guy48065]

I would ask the guy you bought it from as to why he added it.

One good reason is he didn't add it. Only owned this ski for a year.

 

[QBhoy]

They are often fitted. Personally I’ve removed any from any ski I’ve ever found that had one. Especially if it is one that someone has taken from an outboard.

In my experience they are often fitted to get around another issue. Usually a failed check valve in the fuel line or a failed or weak fuel pump.

must admit though, I haven’t had any ski where the carbs were lower than fuel tank lower level, haha.

 

[ahicks]

One good reason is he didn't add it. Only owned this ski for a year.

There's an attitude that's sure to get a lot of help.

 

[guy48065]

Just the facts, man.

 

[Captain Caveman]

My 90hp Suzuki has a primer bulb, and it's EFI. It came that way from the factory in 2009.

I agree that I'm not sure what the primer would do on a permanently mounted motor with the tank above the carbs. Then again, it can't really hurt to just give it a squeeze before each cold start.

 

[guy48065]

Not hurting anything.
Doesn't really DO anything either, apparently.

I'm just weighing "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" against returning it to stock configuration, or "KISS" and maybe avoiding a problem later.

 

[hemi rt]

Any chance the carb/s are draining or leaking when it sits?

 

[ahicks]

Might be handy faced with a dry carb, fresh after a rebuild/cleaning.

 

[guy48065]

Any chance the carb/s are draining or leaking when it sits?

I really don't know yet--but both do start after <5 seconds of cranking. No gas smell in the hull. I learned these carbs don't have fuel bowls like my outboards. They are similar to an oversize chainsaw carb. Thin rubber diaphragm connected to the fuel inlet needle, very little internal gas reserve.