Fuel priming

[steplift20]

Hi guys and girls ok this is what happened
Went out to start my baby (1978 steplift 1988 150 mercury 2 stroke outboard) I pumped the bulb but it was very soft like no fuel making thru it did that for about 50 squeezes and no improvement So I said What should I do or look for but let me try to start the motor and see what happens ,,,,,,,, She started right up and kept running So what I thought that if the ball does not get hard there is no fuel, But she started right up Can someone give me an explanation So I know not to panic the next time that happens, oh and previously The ball always got hard Thanks for any info on this matter Thanks Joe

[jvitiel]

Maybe the check valve(s) in the ball are shot? I think that the check valves operate most easily when the ball is in a vertical orientation with the output on top. Try moving it into different positions while squeezing and see if it changes anything.

[spareparts]

try turning the primer bulb vertical, with the outlet pointing up. If they get air locked, they wont pump fuel. BTW, only use an OEM primer bulb(Bomb, Merc, ZUke, Yamaha, etc...) aftermarket primer bulbs are junk

[bradford]

I like to change out the primer bulb every couple or three years too.