Bad Primer Bulb?

Hi Guys,

I've got a Mercury 90 hp 2 stroke and a bit of trouble cold starting lately. I was recently running the motor and heard a strange ticking noise coming from the back - since identtified as coming directly from the primer bulb. It was a constant ticking (1-2 ticks to almost 1 second +) . Is that normal as it sucks the fuel through the line as I've run it many times and never heard it tick before. I recently replaced the fuel filter.

I'm happy to replace the bulb and line but obviously not if that is normal!.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Never heard one tick. If it just started ticking I would get a new one; the ticking may be the backflow valve about to break.

I have replaced the primer bulb this morning with a genuine Mercury one and checked the fuel lines for any cracks. Started it up okay ....... No more ticking. I hope its isolated to the simple primer bulb and not the fuel pump?. Seems to run well when warmed up and at higher revs (3000 - 4500 rpm) so it seems to be getting enough constant fuel which I assume indicates the fuel pump is operating correctly?.

you bet