primer bulbs not firm

[trgill]

I hooked up a temporary 6 gallon tank and primer bulb with hose to both of my Evinrude 150's and the bulb got really firm and the engines started right up. I thought the anti siphon valve may be the problem but they were not. I can't find a leak any where. The only other components in the fuel path is 3 way valve for main and aux tank and fuel water separator filter. Could someone tell me why when on a 6 gallon temp tank the primer bulb gets rock solid but when on the main and aux tank the bulbs do not firm up. I have also replaced the bulbs with new ones. This problem makes if difficult to start the motors, but not when feed from the temp tank. Thanks for any clues you could provide.

 

[steelespike]

Re: primer bulbs not firm

My guess would be it is simply pushing gas from one tank to the other.Perhaps the valve is bad or set wrong.You might be able to listen at the hose or near the fittings perhaps you can hear the fuel move.Hold a screw driver on the hose put the handle to your ear.

 

[mthieme]

Re: primer bulbs not firm

I have seen some say there is a difference in quality of bulbs. I can't say personally. Although, your symptoms could corroborate this since one tank does it and another does not.
Another reason the bulb would not get/stay hard (speaking more generally) could be the anti back flow diaphram(s) in your fuel pump. Assuming of course you're not fuel injected. This would also cause a hard starting condition more noticeable wwhen the engine is warm and or sits a little bit in between starting.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: primer bulbs not firm

If the primer bulb on the portable 6 gan tank is different than the one that won't get hard, you might switch them and see if the problen goes away.

You might have some dirt in the main tank primer buld, or the 3 way switch may be malfunctioning.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: primer bulbs not firm

or using an after market bulb. it has an arrow on it that has to point toward the motor, also aftermarket work better if the arrow is pointed toward the ski, when pumping.

just go a new OEM fuel assembly hose, that works best with the arrow pointed up.

 

[trgill]

Re: primer bulbs not firm

I'll try your suggestion in the morning. Thanks

 

[trgill]

Re: primer bulbs not firm

I tried pointing primer bulb up towards sky and both of bulbs got firm. Guess when I was using the test tank I had the primer bulb in my hand pointing skyward. Stange how simple the fix was with just the correct orientation. Thanks

 

[mthieme]

Re: primer bulbs not firm

or using an after market bulb. it has an arrow on it that has to point toward the motor, also aftermarket work better if the arrow is pointed toward the ski, when pumping.

Good tip.
Never heard that one before.
Got my daily lessen.
Thanks