Primer bulb issue

chrisrub · #1 02-06-2011, 02:35 PM

The last few times I used the boat, the primer bulb was nearly impossible to squeeze when first trying to start the boat. There was no fuel in the bulb so I know it wasn't already primed.

I have it set up as: Tank > Primer Bulb > Water Separator > Inline Filter on Engine > Fuel Pump

I removed the fuel hose from the water separator and the primer bulb operated flawlessly, easily pumping fuel into a gas can. I'm pretty sure that eliminates an issue pulling fuel from the tank.

It also took many attempts to get the boat running, but once running I had no problems going at idle or WOT for the rest of the day.

Anyone have a similar problem or have any suggestions?

tsubaki · #2 02-06-2011, 02:49 PM

Sounds like the separator/filter is waterlogged.
The engine not starting immediately sounds like normal stuff trying to get the fuel correct.
Dump the contents of the filter/separator into a can and see if there is water or trash present.

Just for the meanness of it, while the seperator/filter is off, replace it.

chrisrub · #3 02-06-2011, 03:34 PM

I had the carbs professionally rebuilt in the fall. They told me there was a lot of water in the carbs when I picked them up after the rebuild. It was recommended that I try to siphon out any water in the tank before I tried to run the engine again. I did so by putting a hose to the bottom of the tank and pumping out what was there. I did not encounter any water at that point. It was also recommended I change out the fuel/water separator, so that was replaced at that point as well.

It was not long after the rebuild that I started having the problem with the primer bulb and starting issues. The carbs were originally leaking (floats stuck) and that's why I went for the rebuild.

For some background, I'm running an OMC 1.6L SeaDrive outboard.

tsubaki · #4 02-06-2011, 03:50 PM

Check the separator and be suspicious of water in the bowls of the carbs....again.
Stuck floats usually are water or varnish (old gas) in the gas.
Unless you can actually see that you have siphoned all the fluid out the tanks, chances are there may be a quart or so left. Water and trash being heavier will be left.

If I'm overlooking something, somebody please chime in!

tsubaki · #5 02-06-2011, 04:02 PM

Oh, don't rule out the filter at the engine. Have seen them with a calcium type buildup clogging them.

macojoe · #6 02-07-2011, 08:55 AM

I agree with the water!! I had the same issue a few years back, I drained the whole tank and used a rag to dry it out good, you should have seen the stuff I found in there!

You have to make sure all is clean to start!! And this new gas loves water!! So a good water separator is a must!! I use a Racor with a clear bowl and drain so I can see the water and drain it.
A new ball will also take away from the guessing game, but make sure to get a good one! I have got junk ones right out the box when you buy them junk no name ones.

ssiredfish · #7 02-07-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macojoe

I agree with the water!! I had the same issue a few years back, I drained the whole tank and used a rag to dry it out good, you should have seen the stuff I found in there!

You have to make sure all is clean to start!! And this new gas loves water!! So a good water separator is a must!! I use a Racor with a clear bowl and drain so I can see the water and drain it.
A new ball will also take away from the guessing game, but make sure to get a good one! I have got junk ones right out the box when you buy them junk no name ones.

How did you get a rag in there. The only opening I have on mine is the where the FSU goes in and I know I can't get in there.

I opened mine up this weekend and had a few small terds in it but less than .1" of gas. I was told the Racor would pull it out. Would yall agree??????

reelapeelin · #8 02-07-2011, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisrub

The last few times I used the boat, the primer bulb was nearly impossible to squeeze when first trying to start the boat. There was no fuel in the bulb so I know it wasn't already primed.

I have it set up as: Tank > Primer Bulb > Water Separator > Inline Filter on Engine > Fuel Pump

I removed the fuel hose from the water separator and the primer bulb operated flawlessly, easily pumping fuel into a gas can. I'm pretty sure that eliminates an issue pulling fuel from the tank.

It also took many attempts to get the boat running, but once running I had no problems going at idle or WOT for the rest of the day.

Anyone have a similar problem or have any suggestions?

I would switch the positions of the bulb and the water separator...it was like that on mine and never had any problems...the bulb should be the last thing before the engine IMHO...

dboyd351 · #9 02-07-2011, 06:45 PM

Once you find out where the water is coming from you can clean out the tank yourself. Here's how:
Pull the fuel sender from the tank. Once you do that you can shine a strong flashlight down in the hole for the sender and see what's in the bottom of the tank, especially if the fuel level is fairly low. Now you get some clear plastic tubing that is resistant to gas (I forget which kind of plastic that is - maybe vinyl?) in a size that will fit on a outboard primer bulb. You'll probably need about 10-15 feet of the clear plastic line. You also need a small wooden dowel (1/4 inch diameter, about 2 feet long. You want to attach several feet of the plastic tubing to the intake end of the primer bulb and use cable ties to attach the dowel to the tubing on the intake end. Then attach the rest of the tubing to the discharge end. Now you start a siphon going by pumping the primer bulb. Keep the whole run of the siphon tube as low as possible to help get the gas over the high point and get the siphon started. Put the discharge end in a gas can and start siphoning. You can then aim the pickup end of the plastic tube, using the dowel, to pickup water on the bottom of the tank, debris, and any other crap in the tank. You can actually just siphon all the water and crap off the bottom and use the rest of the gas, but I figure once you've started this you might as well get that tank as clean as new!!!
And you literally can do that. I've done this on several boats. If you take your time, you can get the inside of that tank clean enough to eat off. END of gas problems!

A couple more things to note: You need a way to get rid of all that gas. Probably the best way is to have a truck with a large tank that is nearly empty. Water will sink to the bottom of the gas can you are siphoning into, and debris can be filtered out with a coffee filter in a funnel. Have several gas cans ready and figure out how much gas you'll have to get rid of.

The other thing is to seal the sender hole well with a gas resistant gasket. There are special types of red rubbery gasket material that will work. You can also use Aviation Form-a-Gasket sealant liquid Item number 765-1210 available from Napa.