Hopefully it’s not something like an O ring
14’ Carolina Skiff
19’ Sea Pro
aftermarket fuel bulbs suck,they create more issues than they fix. I had to replace 6 Moellers one spring that I had installed less than three months before. I only use OEM primer bulbs now. The Bombardier(Johnson/Evinrude) bulbs seem to be the most cost effective, they appear to be the same as the Merc bulbs. Yamaha bulbs are nicer, but they cost quite a bit more. If you call tech support to any outboard manufacture and describe your problem, one of the first things they ask is what kind of bulb is on it.
OEM primer bulb!! In the past i have tried cheap ones and they fail if they even work brand new(attwood) Trust me when it fails it will not be at a good time or place.
2005 Sea Hunt 212 Triton
“Head East”
quote:
aftermarket fuel bulbs suck,they create more issues than they fix.
X3! They often are bad right out of the package.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
You obviously have an intermittent obstruction. Pulling it apart and testing it while it isn’t happening which is obviously very intermittent isn’t going to help much. If it was me I would start with replacing the fuel line from the tank to the water separator. If you can get it to happen again try taking the line loose at the tank. If the obstruction is in the tank the bulb will inflate when you take the line loose. If it’s in the line it won’t . You could do the same at the separator. The fuel pump sucks fuel from the tank so when there is an obstruction it sucks the ball shut because it creates a vacuum. If you can’t get it to do it often enough it will just be a process of elimination. If you don’t have the time replace it all.
Mayhem
Pioneer 197
Alright gals and guys. I took the boat up to Moultrie today with my kids to let them swim, and give me a chance to try to see what it going on.
The bulb flattened out right after the motor started. However, only the center flattened, leaving room for fuel to flow around the sides. I massaged the bulb and bit and got it to fill up and look normal. A few minutes later, it looked like the picture I posted. It ran for two and a half hours straight with no problems.
Now, I’m pretty sure the bulb shouldn’t be doing this, and per the advice given, I’m gonna go get an OEM bulb.
So, this leads me to one last question . . . . with what you are seeing in this picture, and the fact that the motor ran for two and half hours straight, could the bulb have been my issue?
So what was the outcome?
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
Like I said in my last post, I took the boat to the lake, and ran for about 2.5 hours with my kids. The bulb’s center instantly sucked flat, leaving the outer edge open, so there was still room for fuel to flow, obviously. It ran with no cutting off hitches the whole time we were up there. I know the bulb should not be sucked flat like that, and have an OEM bulb sitting in my garage ready to install. But I’m still a bit dubious that this was my issue.
Need to check the tank vent. That’s the only thing I can think would cause the ball to suck flat. Or some other blockage. I would replace it all. Supply, fliters and vent.
it could be the valve at the ball not letting fuel pass. Let us know if replacing the ball fixes it. It’s always good to see the final fix on these type of threads.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
4x on the aftermarket fuel line assby’s. Bulbs suck - hose liners will mess up and collapse - and tolerances on the gas fittings is crappy. I had a 25 Yami and anything other than a OEM assby bit me in the butt. Bulb once, check valve once, and fitting catching air once. After the third time I got a Yami assby and never had another problem! The extra 15-20$ is well worth the money. Know that.
J Ford