Fuel problem, please help.

[Blue_Runner]

Thanks fellas!

I hauled it down to High Rock yesterday evening to run it on a separate tank. It behaved the same except the primer ball stayed firmer but still felt as if it had air in it. Best I could tell anyway - it was just me so I had to pull it down to check the ball.

A couple things -

* tank vent is clear. I can blow into the tank.
* fuel tank pickup seems clear - I'm able to blow bubbles in the tank.
* I'm running a racor /w the clear bowl. The racor is before the primer.
* when running on spare tank I bypassed the racor.
* I would love to replace fuel lines, clean the pickup screen, etc. but will have to remove the tank hatch to access it. It has never been removed.

I think I have ruled out - primer bulb, fuel lines (unless it is the short piece from primer to motor which is only 5 yrs old), fuel vent, fuel tank pickup, racor fuel water separator.

Things I have not ruled out - fuel pump, inline filter (should have removed the screen as a test at the lake but forgot), & carbs.

Question for my internet mechanics - could trash in carbs or torn carb gasket cause these types of symptoms? I wonder if it is sucking air through the carbs?

Thanks very much guys!