primer bulb won't get hard, boat runs fine though...

[iRich]

hi all, 1975 85hp johnson o/b. When I pump the primer bulb on my gas line it very seldom gets hard and the few times it does it doesn't stay. the funny thing is the motor seems to run fine although from another post I made on this motor the general opion was It should push my 17' crestliner at 35-40mph. It only goes 28 on a gps, but it gets on plane in 5 seconds and to top speed in about 15 seconds. I haven't checked the rpms at wot because i forgot to take my tach. I have installed a new fuel pump, (old one was leaking), new primer bulb and line, (just because), and replaced the little plastic ties on all the fuel lines with clamps, (some were leaking). I guess my question is, does it make sense that the boat would run good if the bulb does not get hardand why else would it not get hard? I drove the boat approx. 20 miles today and it never missed a beat. Thanks,<br /><br />Rich

 

[digimortal777]

Re: primer bulb won't get hard, boat runs fine though...

my 9.5 jonny/rude does the sasme<br />runs fine<br /><br />yours a is a bigger engine tho hmm<br /><br />i wouldnt worry if all else is going good

 

[svangui1]

Re: primer bulb won't get hard, boat runs fine though...

I have somewhat the same issue with my "87" 70 HP Evinrude. But I sometimes have difficulty starting. I too have replaced the bulb and the line and no avail. It runs wells other than that. <br /><br />I also have a 17' Crestliner and with the 70 I get 35 on the GPS and running about 5200. But she comes out the hole and on plane it 1 to 2 seconds if I hammer it.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: primer bulb won't get hard, boat runs fine though...

iRich <br />what pitch Prop are you running!

 

[plywoody]

Re: primer bulb won't get hard, boat runs fine though...

15 to 20 secs seems a lot to get to full rpm. I also have a 17' Crestliner with a 50 hp Johnson, and I get to full operating rpm lots quicker than that.<br />You need to check it with a tach to see if it indeed is getting to full operating rpm, and does it really take 15-20 secs to get there. A 2-cycle engine ought to get there much quicker than that.<br />As far as the bulb getting hard, does it not get hard even prior to starting? If it continues to pump fuel into the carb with every pump of the bulb, it sounds like a float valve could be a problem. If it is just a bit soft while operating, I think that is normal.