Gas bulb question

[J-Dub]

I just got a new-to-me boat from out of town and have a question for you all. As I'm still unfamiliar with the boat's stuff I did find a problem with keeping the bulb on the gas line primed. I pump it by hand, fire it up and take off. Well after fishing for just a short time, maybe 15-20 minutes I go to the console turn the key and the motor fires but when I try to give it gas it just chokes out. It'll start up each time but it also continues to choke out when I step on the gas. I go back to the bulb on the gas line and it has lost it's prine or whatever. It is not full of gas anymore and I don't know why. I've never had this issue with my old 30+ yr. old Champion with the origninal Johnson. This is an Evinrude 150 Intruder if that makes any difference. Anyone got any ideas as to why the gas won't stay primed in the line? It's already a hassle and I've only had the boat out this afternoon for a short stint. Thanks.

 

[jon the fisherman]

check valve is bad in the bulb more than likely. I would get a new fuel line and bulb and see if that fixes it. Also might check to see if the tank pickup is clogged with gunk and keeping it from getting gas or could be the fuel pump diaphragm going bad. Hope you can fix it

 

[fisherpal2k]

  Got to agree with JTF on this one. I would replace the line and bulb. Lots of times the clamps leak air into the system from the lines drying out.

 

[Liveliner]

I think that I may be getting ready to have to replace my check valve as well. Yesterday I lost fuel pressure and my engine died in gear at idle. The bulb was soft. Pumped the soft bulb and got started. I had a rough idle and poor responce. I thought I may have water from cheap gas from a cut-rate station. I changed my external water fuel seperator filter and found a little water in it.. Could have been bad gas but then again it may be my check valve.

Thanks for bringing this up. May save me some headaches.

 

[jjoey312]

This problem that you are describing is a fundamental problem that will have to be resolved in order for the engine to run right.

"I go back to the bulb on the gas line and it has lost it's prine or whatever. It is not full of gas anymore and I don't know why"

If the bulb is not staying firm there is either a leak somewhere in the fuel system forward of bulb (from the bulb to the engine) or a bad check valve in the bulb as previously mentioned.

I don't care what you buy at Walmart but do not buy primer bulbs from there. In the past I have seen many examples of these primer bulbs causing problems. In fact I have sold all brands and a Johnson / Evinrude brand primer bulb is hard to beat. If your fuel system is right without leaks one of these bulbs will pump up firm and not leak down.

P.s. If you do have problems with your fuel bulb collapsing this will be something to do with a fuel restriction (like a clogged fuel tank pickup)

ADDITION: IT COULD ALSO BE A FUEL / OIL (VRO PUMP).

The cheapest fix to try is replacing the fuel bulb.

 

[J-Dub]

Thanks Joey. I'll give that a shot first.

 

[TN_Explorer]

I had a similar problem & it turned out to be the o-ring in the connection at the motor. Another cheap fix maybe. good luck!

 

[flip1up]

Yep, thats where to start. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but its usually in the pump. Good luck.