primer bulb

[skmurphy71]

I have an 89' Four winns with a 120 johnson outboard. I am having problems with the fuel bulb sucking flat after about 2-3 hours of running time. The motor runs great, then the bulb goes flat, I then need to staop the motor pump the bulb until full then restart motor goes great for 5-10 min. then goes flat again. I have replaced the primer bulb already. Any sugestions what to look for next?

 

[Pst76]

Re: primer bulb

Check to make sure your tank is venting.Loosen the gas cap once bulb sucks flat and see if it sucks air in when you loosen cap. Have been messing with a fuel issue for a while and this forum is great to learn from. Good luck

 

[Scaaty]

Re: primer bulb

YOU HAVE A CLOGGED VENT! Best to get some compressed air and blow the junk (insects nest there) out, and keep a eye on your fuel filter/s also.

 

[olmpilot]

Re: primer bulb

I'm having a similar problem, but my fuel bulb doesn't suck flat, it just gets very soft, and I can pump and pump and it won't get hard. Then suddenly it will. All the while, the motor seems to be running okay at throttle, but has a noticeable "hiccup" at idle every now and then, especially when it's cold. It's an '89 Evi 120 VRO. Also, I have noticed that my water filter is filling up rather quickly after I drain it. Could there be excess water in the gas causing these problems? How can I check the water or drain it? It's an internal tank, that I can't even see. Thanks.

 

[m1rodrig]

Re: primer bulb

olmpilot to check & see if you have water in the fuel you can pour the fuel from the filter into a clear dry glass & you will see the water separate from fuel.

 

[skmurphy71]

Re: primer bulb

I have blown through the vent and air seems to be coming out of the gas cap when i do this. I've tried to loosen the gas cap when this happens, didn't change the bulb from getting sucked in. My next step is to replace the fuel line all the way to the tank,and maybe install a fuel/ water seperator. Whre can I purchase a repair manual for this type of motor?

 

[Bob Ware]

Re: primer bulb

olmpilot, I have/had the same problem where I couldn't get the pressure to build on the bulb. It was suggested that I tilt the bulb so the output side is slanting up. This solved the problem. However, I still have a problem where the bulb is soft after running for a while then sitting for 30 minutes to an hour so I have to re-prime each time I go to start up after fishing/anchoring for a while.<br />A pain but tilting the bulb solved my problem with poor starting/idling after sitting.

 

[Pst76]

Re: primer bulb

Skmurphy, Have you tried running from a seperate tank and hose line. You can pick up a 6gal aux tank and line for less than 30 bucks. If it runs of the spare tank then I would change the gas line. I think you can even get the hose, bulb and a tank at Walmart cheaper just to test. If gas lines for internal tank are under the floor like mine were its not an easy job. Test tank may save you the hassle.

 

[olmpilot]

Re: primer bulb

I just noticed that there is also a fuel leak somewhere in the engine. When I trailered the boat, fuel spilled out from the pan into the transom (not gallons, but enough to be noticeable). So I'm guessing that it's the air getting into the fuel system that is causing the bulb not to retain pressure, which could also be causing the "roughness or hiccuping"?

 

[Mark42]

Re: primer bulb

One thing I noticed with my bulb is that it pumps up hard right away if held vertical with outlet at top, but doesn't pump up well if held horizontal. It's a year or so old. Are these supposed to be held vertical when pumped? Or is mine on its way out?

 

[Pst76]

Re: primer bulb

Fuel in the pan could have dripped from the carbs if you tilted motor way up to trailer but would be worth trying to find source.<br /> <br />Mark42 As far as angle position of the primer bulb, the check valve, plunger is at one end so gravity would play an issue on it's position.Just my 2 cents...

 

[angus63]

Re: primer bulb

Arrow pointed up helps the lower check valve seat and prevents the pressurized fuel from leaking back to the tank when squeezing the bulb.

 

[Richok]

Re: primer bulb

Heres my 2 cents worth.What type bulb did you replace it with? Aftermarket or OMC. I had a similiar problem about a month ago. Replaced with aftermarket, when the tank was about 1/2 empty the bulb would suck down. I put another new one on but was omc and haven't had a problem since. My neighbor had the same problem, cured his also.

 

[skmurphy71]

Re: primer bulb

thanks for all the input, this is sure a great way to get others ideas on issues that may come up. I may get a chance this weekend to try some of the sugestions, I'll report back<br />thanks again