Primer bulb is not getting stiff

[jwigg21]

I have a 75 Johnson 115 and I cannot get the primer bulb to get hard. I changed out the main fuel line, checked the fuel stem that is inside of the tank to make sure there were no holes or cracks in it, put on a new primer bulb with new lines. I bought the boat about a month ago and at first the bulb would get hard and the boat would start and it would run for about 4 to 5min and then shut off like it ran out of gas. I started asking different people for help and to see if they knew what could be the problem and I started checking things from there. Someone told me to check the vent valve so what I did was take my air hose and blew the line out and now the bulb will not get hard at all. Can anyone give me some insight on my problem?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Primer bulb is not getting stiff

Hopefully you did not blow out the primer bulb with the air hose. If you did, it's possible that you blew one of the inlet/outlet valves apart, and if so, you should be able to feel a few small part loose in that bulb.

When the primer bulb is okay, hold it vertical with the outlet end facing up... that should allow it to get hard.

 

[jwigg21]

Re: Primer bulb is not getting stiff

No I didn't do that I replaced the ball after I used that air hose on the vent line. Thanks for stopping by.

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: Primer bulb is not getting stiff

When you replaced the bulb and lines did you replace the hose fittings as well? I was having a bear of a time with my fuel and traced it back to the disconnect fitting at the tank. Replaced that and BAM no more problems.

 

[jwigg21]

Re: Primer bulb is not getting stiff

I was missing the clamp that runs from the boat to the end of the hose that runs to the bulb. Put the clamp on there and still nothing. I did notice that that short hose that runs from the boat to the bulb is a little dry rot so I will change that part of the hose tomorrow and see if that fixes the problem. I really hope it does the trick. Thanks everyone that has stopped by to give me some help.

 

[jwigg21]

Re: Primer bulb is not getting stiff

I replaced that small line and still no magic. Someone told me that it could be my carbs and the needle sticking but could that cause the primer bulb not to get hard. Need some more advice.

 

[hidef]

Re: Primer bulb is not getting stiff

There are several things that can cause a primer bulb not to get hard. Air leaks in the fuel lines after the primer bulb, a bad fuel pump, leaks in the fuel lines after the fuel pump and finally a bad float or worn out needle valve in the carb. If the engine would start and run for 5 minutes and then die that is indication that your issue is not with the fuel lines. However due to the age of the lines and engine they all should be changed out including those under the cowl. You should rebuild or replace the fuel pump depending on the age of the pump the rubber in that pump may not be ethanol compatible. You are also going to have to tear down the carbs and rebuild them also. I also like to run an inline fuel filter in the hose I always install it after the primer bulb for one thing it gives a good visual that the primer bulb is picking up fuel when you squeeze it.

 

[jwigg21]

Re: Primer bulb is not getting stiff

Thanks for that info. hidef I just ordered a carb rebuild kit and a fuel pump. Hopefully this will do the trick. Thanks every one for stopping by with advice I really appreciate you time.

 

[jwigg21]

Re: Primer bulb is not getting stiff

I have a quick question. I ordered a repair kit for my carbs and I ordered 1 for $16, should I have ordered 2 for my engine, or is all the seals and every thing is in this one kit for both carbs?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Primer bulb is not getting stiff

1 kit = 1 carb.

 

[jhebert]

Re: Primer bulb is not getting stiff

Need some more advice.

Read my article, A PRIMER ON PRIMERS

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/primer.html

 

[stylesabu]

Re: Primer bulb is not getting stiff

if you pinch off fuel line,after bulb but before engine. bulb should get hard. if it still doesn't then its not a fuel pump or carb issue. i had a problem years ago,bulb got firm but not hard and would run 4-5 minutes and had to keep pump bulb to run. it was sucking air at quick disconnect at engine, i pumped it up without running it and after a couple of minutes saw it drip fuel from disconnect fitting. replaced disconnect with new and has run fine sence then

 

[EricJRW]

Re: Primer bulb is not getting stiff

if you pinch off fuel line,after bulb but before engine. bulb should get hard. if it still doesn't then its not a fuel pump or carb issue. i had a problem years ago,bulb got firm but not hard and would run 4-5 minutes and had to keep pump bulb to run. it was sucking air at quick disconnect at engine, i pumped it up without running it and after a couple of minutes saw it drip fuel from disconnect fitting. replaced disconnect with new and has run fine sence then

Good idea on pinching off. I think I would work my way down the fuel line(s), pinching as I go.

 

[jwigg21]

Re: Primer bulb is not getting stiff

Well everyone I am almost there, I have changed out every hose and every fitting all the way up to the engine. My ball is getting stiff now while I have the hose disconnected from the engine, once I hook the hose in the pressure dies down a little. Right now I am waiting on my fuel pump and my carb rebuild kit. I pulled the two screw from the bottom of the carbs and I had some fuel drain out of it is that normal.

Thanks to everyone that has dropped in and helped me out, I am learning a lot from you guys.

 

[jwigg21]

Re: Primer bulb is not getting stiff

Put the new fuel pump on and still no change bulb is still not staying hard, so I will wait on the carb rebuild kit and see where it goes from there. Man I hope that will fix it.

 

[jwigg21]

Re: Primer bulb is not getting stiff

Put the new fuel pump on and still no change bulb is still not staying hard, so I will wait on the carb rebuild kit and see where it goes from there. Man I hope that will fix it.

Ok boat is running fine right now but ran into two more problems. Need a new tilt and trim motor and have water coming out of the side of the engine where the lower unit connects to the upper unit. Also while it's running no water is coming from the upper unit. Does anyone know where I can find a tilt trim for my 1975 Johnson 115?