Cause of primer bulb collapse? - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/Mods
  Cause of primer bulb collapse?

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Cause of primer bulb collapse?

outragebs posted 07-08-2009 09:45 AM ET (US)
1985 90 hp johnson with VRO disabled, has been very dependable on 17, now suddenly sucks the primer bulb flat. After a short wait it restarts and runs fine. Can anyone help with a fix.
Narragansett Outrage posted 07-08-2009 09:54 AM ET (US)
Could be as simple as needing a new fuel filter, which may be so full that it is blocked.
Could also be an old and collapsed fuel delivery line.
Could be the vent line from the tank to the overflow - if that's pinched/collpased and the rest of the system is sealed, you could get a vaccuum.
And finally, could be that your fuel tank has so much crud in it that the pick-up tube is being blocked by large chunks. When you switch off the motor, the chunnks fall off, allowing you to run again until the chunks get picked up again.
Bear in mind that you don't watnt o starve a 2-stroke from its gas/oil, so you do need to take care of this.
outragebs posted 07-08-2009 10:05 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the reply,The first time was on my regular tank and fuel line so I got an aux. tank with fresh fuel and another fuel line and primer bulb and it happened again. No filter in the fuel line.
Blackduck posted 07-08-2009 10:55 AM ET (US)
Maybe obvious, but is the tank vent open?
Tohsgib posted 07-08-2009 11:09 AM ET (US)
Replace the bulb and NOT with a cheap Tempo one from K-Fart. GO OEM.
Chuck Tribolet posted 07-08-2009 11:59 AM ET (US)
To suck the bulb flat, gas isn't getting into the line
(obstructed pickup in the tank), or gas isn't getting through
the line (old dead fuel line) or air isn't getting into the
tank (vent not open or obstructed, easy test, take the
cap off and see if the bulb reinflates itself)
How long after you fire up the engine does the bulb go flat?
It's NOT the fuel filter. If that were clogged, the engine
would be unable to suck on the bulb.

Chuck
jb4146 posted 07-08-2009 12:55 PM ET (US)
I'm with Tohsgib.
Just went through this after I installed a water separator between the tank and my Evinrude 48SPL. At the time, I had installed a Moeller bulb between the filter and the engine. It began to run flat. After checking the lines, tank connection fitting, pickup screen, and filter assemble for problems (found none), I replace the Moeller bulb with an appropriate Evinrude/Johnson bulb. The problem disappeared.
I believe the Moeller bulb was too pliable especially after warming up in the sun, and/or one of the internal check valves may have been sticking.
The OEM bulb I installed is physically much smaller and stiffer.
outragebs posted 07-08-2009 01:09 PM ET (US)
Thank you all for your help. I did make sure the vent was clear,cap off, air was getting in the clean tank and both bulbs are very soft so I am going to buy a new fuel line, bulb and fittings.
Tohsgib posted 07-08-2009 01:26 PM ET (US)
Please report back with results.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Cause of primer bulb collapse?
outragebs	posted 07-08-2009 09:45 AM ET (US) 1985 90 hp johnson with VRO disabled, has been very dependable on 17, now suddenly sucks the primer bulb flat. After a short wait it restarts and runs fine. Can anyone help with a fix.
Narragansett Outrage	posted 07-08-2009 09:54 AM ET (US) Could be as simple as needing a new fuel filter, which may be so full that it is blocked. Could also be an old and collapsed fuel delivery line. Could be the vent line from the tank to the overflow - if that's pinched/collpased and the rest of the system is sealed, you could get a vaccuum. And finally, could be that your fuel tank has so much crud in it that the pick-up tube is being blocked by large chunks. When you switch off the motor, the chunnks fall off, allowing you to run again until the chunks get picked up again. Bear in mind that you don't watnt o starve a 2-stroke from its gas/oil, so you do need to take care of this.
outragebs	posted 07-08-2009 10:05 AM ET (US) Thanks for the reply,The first time was on my regular tank and fuel line so I got an aux. tank with fresh fuel and another fuel line and primer bulb and it happened again. No filter in the fuel line.
Blackduck	posted 07-08-2009 10:55 AM ET (US) Maybe obvious, but is the tank vent open?
Tohsgib	posted 07-08-2009 11:09 AM ET (US) Replace the bulb and NOT with a cheap Tempo one from K-Fart. GO OEM.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 07-08-2009 11:59 AM ET (US) To suck the bulb flat, gas isn't getting into the line (obstructed pickup in the tank), or gas isn't getting through the line (old dead fuel line) or air isn't getting into the tank (vent not open or obstructed, easy test, take the cap off and see if the bulb reinflates itself) How long after you fire up the engine does the bulb go flat? It's NOT the fuel filter. If that were clogged, the engine would be unable to suck on the bulb. Chuck
jb4146	posted 07-08-2009 12:55 PM ET (US) I'm with Tohsgib. Just went through this after I installed a water separator between the tank and my Evinrude 48SPL. At the time, I had installed a Moeller bulb between the filter and the engine. It began to run flat. After checking the lines, tank connection fitting, pickup screen, and filter assemble for problems (found none), I replace the Moeller bulb with an appropriate Evinrude/Johnson bulb. The problem disappeared. I believe the Moeller bulb was too pliable especially after warming up in the sun, and/or one of the internal check valves may have been sticking. The OEM bulb I installed is physically much smaller and stiffer.
outragebs	posted 07-08-2009 01:09 PM ET (US) Thank you all for your help. I did make sure the vent was clear,cap off, air was getting in the clean tank and both bulbs are very soft so I am going to buy a new fuel line, bulb and fittings.
Tohsgib	posted 07-08-2009 01:26 PM ET (US) Please report back with results.