I just installed a fuel/water seperator on a 90 HP 2 stroke 2002 Merc. and in the process decided to change fuel lines, change the bulb, and dumped the old gas. I filled up the filter before priming and first time it took me a while to prime it up. It finally primed and started like a champ. Easiest start and smoothest idling I have ever had since I have had the boat. Anyway, while the boat was running the bulb went flat. Motor kept running, but the bulb was like a deflated balloon. I tried to prime it up again and it wouldn’t do anything. I waited about 5 minutes and the ball inflated itself and I could prime it up again. Started the motor and went flat again. Do you think I have a bad bulb? I just put a new anti-syphon valve in as well. Not sure what else could be the issue??? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
The best way to a fisherman’s heart is through his fly.
Update: Decided to change the bulb and after putting the new one on it primed in a couple pumps and was rock hard. Started the motor easily and idled for about 30 seconds then died. Bulb is still rock hard but it appears that there is no fuel in the in-line filter. When I try to recrank the motor it is acting like there is no fuel, much like when you try to start it with kill switch off. Any ideas???
The best way to a fisherman’s heart is through his fly.
Can you re-test it w/out the anti-siphon valve?
Otherwise, sounds like a blockage of some sort between the main pick-up in the tank to the primer bulb??
Strange you are having your problem, my 70 hp Yamaha had been running great for the last 2 years until I installed a Mini-10 micron fuel/water separator. I also installed new fuel lines and primer bulb. Boat did not want to run the first time out so I bypassed the filter and put the original fuel line/bulb back on. The motor has not wanted to start since so it is now bound for the shop. Hope you figure out the problem is, I am sure my is just a coincidence but ■■■■ it is frustrating.
I will do a few tests today and see what I can come up with. That is crazy that yours is doing the same thing. I disconnected the fuel line from the motor side of the bulb and it is priming just fine. I think I may have a blockage somewhere else. I noticed when I pulled off the line a little gas drained out and I found some more brown pieces of my old gas line. I inspected the fuel filter and the bottom of it appeared to somewhat clogged by more of the old fuel line. Going to try and change that out and see if that is why the bulb is hard but no fuel in the filter. Please keep me updated on what the shop finds, because I am very close to putting mine in as well.
The best way to a fisherman’s heart is through his fly.
Sorry for so many udates. Just went outside and primed the bulb, got hard by no gas was showing in filter. Disconnected and just air came out. Primed with out filter attached and gas came out. Must be filter is clogged. We will see.
The best way to a fisherman’s heart is through his fly.
Hey I have done dumber things before!!! The bulb was in the vertical position and had the arrow pointing the correct way. Found out today that the issue was the first bulb was bad, the new one works great and the issue was clogged fuel filter, which I just put on there 3 weeks ago. Glad I decided to change the old fuel lines and hopefully this part of my issues is resolved. Boat cranked right up and idled great for a while. I will take her out on the water tomorrow and see how it runs @ WOT.
The best way to a fisherman’s heart is through his fly.
I had to change out my in-line filter and fuel/water seperator today because of ethanol blockage. When I installed new filters the primer bulb went flat again. The thing worked great 20 minutes prior to this so I am wonerdering if it has anything to do with the separator???
The best way to a fisherman’s heart is through his fly.
If the bulb is being sucked flat, you have a restriction between it and the tank. Do not forget to include the pick up as well.
The gas we have now can eat up old lines, senders and make plastic pick ups fall apart. All of this stuff can get up in the lines and casue restrictions.
Thanks rigger! I am trying to find the restriction. Just pulled off the anti-syphon valve and it was clean as a whistle. Is there anyway to clean out the pick up without removing??? I am still wondering if it doesn’t have something to do with the fuel/water separator. Never had this issue until I installed it. I would also understand if it did it all the time but it sucks flat sometimes, and not others. Crazy
The best way to a fisherman’s heart is through his fly.
My boat ran great until I added a fuel/water separator. Now I am having all kinds of problems. It could just be a coincidence but ■■■■ it is frustrating. I am taking mine in to the shop as much as I do not want to, I am hoping they can figure it out and correct it without it becoming a major expense.
I am almost in the same boat as you. I still have a big hunch that it is a fuel restriction issue with mine. But I never had issues until I put in the separator and new fuel lines. Now my bulb goes flat from time to time and my filters are getting clogged every hour or so from brown ethanol junk. I am going to try to get my tank cleaned out and if that doesn’t work then I am right there with you. Please send any info that the shop finds out if you don’t mind. Thanks
The best way to a fisherman’s heart is through his fly.
Just a thought and not trying to say anything bad but is it possible you have the lines on the separater wrong? Just checkin cause a neighbor hooked one up backwards and had primer bulb backwards.