Logo
FULL SITE MENU

primer bulb confusion

G

ginab403

New member
I have a 2003 mercury 200 hp saltweater outboard. This weekend I noticed that when I started the motor it cut off quickly , checked the primer bulb it was soft so I primed it. Got it started and drove to a fishing point. It ran fine. Again it was difficult to start and the primer bulb(which is brand new) was soft again. Got it started again, motor ran rougher than usual went back to dock. It seemed to run rough on the way in. We changed the spark plugs, changed the fuel filter (which was pretty dirty and clogged up) checked the water seperator, cleaned the rim under the housing for the seperator, looked for the check valve where the primer bulb attaches to the tank and it was not there(the previous owner removed it). The primer bulb will now get hard but will only stay hard until the motor is running, then it gets somewhat softer. It is easier for me to get a good hard prime with the bulb in vertical position but then when i lay it down horizontal it seems to get softer. After replacing everything we replaced it seems as if everything is running ok, my question is could all of this be caused by the fuel pump, should I replace that as well or does this sound like it was an air leak somewhere, or a vent issue. I spoke to my mechanic who said to replace the fuel pump and then to two other mechanics who said it could not be the fuel pump. Im confused now also, with the new primer bulb, should it stay hard or lose some prime after the motor is running? Any help is appreciated thanks
 
the bulb will not be hard while running but should get hard with one or two pumps....if it runs ok now then run it and see what you got...
 
Agreed a primer bulb does NOT stay hard once motor is running .----Not sure why most folks can not understand this simple concept.
 
Thank you both, I was under the impression from the mechanic at my marina that the bulb should stay hard at all times and not lose its prime. After researching for hours on end I realize that he was incorrect and that maybe some of the old bulbs would stay hard for a longer period of time. I was shocked to hear that when I asked him why it would go somewhat soft or all the way soft after the motor was running he said automatically that it was my fuel pump. In searching for the "problem" that was never a problem I did find I had a clogged fuel filter and was able to change it. Thanks again for your insight
 
Back
Top