Needing some advice

[roll tide]

A couple days ago, I was on the water, my engine started, ran fine, until I ran about a mile n half, and I noticed it acted like it was running out of gas. It never did die, it slowed down, I put it in neutral, took off again, it did fine for about same distance, then done the same thing again. Today, I went out and same thing happened, so I put it in neutral, checked the primer ball and it was soft. So, once you prime the ball, does it stay hard the whole time, because I primed it, ran down river, it did fine. I stopped at a fishing hole, checked the ball and it was still hard. Is this the problem, or does it sound like something else could be wrong? Any advice would be appreciated. Got a tournament Saturday.

 

[pawpaw0909]

may be bad gas? try replacing the ball, they aint that much. if that dont fix it, try the gas. not a boat mechanic, but thats what id do. emoScratch ROLL TIDE!

 

[Shark]

Me too - not a mechanic either.... BUT!!!! I recently heard some talk about this while in the tackle shop/boat dealer on Hwy 58 - before you get to the bridge. The mech told the guy to buy a new bulb (the guy was having the same problems, he just replaced the fuel line and kept the same bulb)......it's the gas that is causing the problem with motors. The ethanol (spelling) in the gas breaks down the rubber and it allows the bulb to leak air into the gas line.
Double check with wrenchin2... he's a the #1 go to guy here.

 

[wrechin2]

Maybe a bulb. It is a simple part but can cause alot of headaches. I have seen alot of things that could cause that. Trash in the tank getting on the pick-up starving the engine for fuel, You turn off the trash falls away and the fuel system has to be reprimed. Then runs normal. I would put a bulb on it.

 

[tyler ware]

Does the bulb collapse when is starts running bad. I had a filter clogged on my line between the tank and bulb and the fuel pump would suck the bulb until it was collapsed.

 

[wrechin2]

That is what the trash in the tank will do also, suck the bulb together, then it will suck the line dry and when the engine is off, it can pump up. due to trash floats away. My brother's would do that every now and then, removed the fuel sender and sucked out the tank and found pieces of his fuel fill hose in the tank. Replaced the hose and was good to go.

Just on a note.....On most manufacures, they don't recommend putting fuel filters before the pump. OMC puts a screen before the pump and mercury usually has a filter after the fuel pump. The pumps aren't that strong and can sometimes cause issues.

With that being said, I have seen quite a few on them with no issues, but just keep in mind, it could cause one.