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Author Topic:   Mercury primer bulbs

Frank O posted 05-29-2012 07:02 PM ET (US)
I'd like to get one of Mercury's reformulated primer bulbs for the 3/8" line feeding my 2011 Optimax 250.
This listing at West Marine:
http://tinyurl.com/primerbulb
shows what seems to be the new bulb, but there's no indication on size. Do I need to find one specifically for 3/8"? I want to go with a Mercury bulb, not third-party.

contender posted 05-29-2012 07:06 PM ET (US)
Frank: Yes you will need a 3/8 size for you engine. I would not consider the bulb from West Marine, I do not think it is a factory one. Two things I have learned in the past, ALWAYS use a factory water pump/kit and a factory fuel bulb...
tmann45 posted 05-29-2012 09:46 PM ET (US)
Frank, if you Google Quicksilver 8M0052973 (part number in WM catalog), you get 5/16" not 3/8".
Suggest you go to a local outboard dealer, Mercury, Yamaha or Evinrude, and buy it there, all of these factory bulbs should be good. I have a Yamaha bulb and it is really heavy duty. The check valve balls are not spring loaded, you have to mount the bulb vertically so gravity will make them work, this reduces suction pressure in the fuel system which is good.
Tom
swist posted 05-30-2012 11:50 AM ET (US)
I don't think that much of the OEM Merc bulbs. Mine wasn't used much before the check valve wouldn't "check" unless the bulb was held absolutely vertically so gravity would cause it to close.
Frank O posted 06-08-2012 11:24 PM ET (US)
For what it's worth --
I couldn't find a primer bulb in the Mercury parts system explicitly identified as being for 3/8" line. I asked my local Merc dealer, and they came up with a primer bulb with a part number 8M0061875. The box it came in states, "Fits 5/16" and 3/8" inside diameter hose."
Lil Whaler Lover posted 06-09-2012 09:06 AM ET (US)
When Mercury or Quicksilver upgrades a product such as a primer bulb, they always change the part number. At the end of the part number there should be 2 digits. They start at 01 and some parts are now ending in a number greater than 20. For example if you take a part number xxxxxx-03 off your motor and now there is a xxxxxx-07 available use the 07 as it is an upgraded version of the part.
If my memory serves me correctly, the first Mercury/Quicksilver primer bulbs that are ethanol resistant are numbered 13330M07 for Mercury and 13330Q07 for Quicksilver. If there is a new generation this year it should end in 08 or higher. Any primer ending in 06 or lower is NOT ethanol ready.
Tom W Clark posted 06-09-2012 10:50 AM ET (US)
Why not go right to the source? Mercury Marine lists two primer bulbs for sale now.
Part # 8M0052975:
http://www.mercurypartsexpress.com/us/primer-bulb-assembly-p264872.html

Part # 8M0052976:
http://www.mercurypartsexpress.com/us/primer-bulb-assembly-p264871.html

My suspicion is that one is for 5/16" hose, the other for 3/8" hose, but Mercury website is so feeble they do not bother explaining the difference between these two parts.
The physical size of the bulbs is the same but the price is different. Perhaps one comes with clamps the other without? Who knows?
Either way, these part numbers seems to supersede what West Marine is offering.
Tom W Clark posted 06-09-2012 10:52 AM ET (US)
So much for the two-different-hose-sizes theory:
http:/ / www. ebay. com/ itm/ Mercury-New-OEM-Fuel-Gas-Line-Hose-Primer- Bulb-5-16-3-8-8M0061876-w-Clamps-/ 180897615880
tmann45 posted 06-09-2012 06:22 PM ET (US)
Here is the description from Mercury website: http://www.mercurypartsexpress.com/us/index.php?target=categories& category_id=2303&products_results_num=18
quote:
This bulb is a 2011 EPA Certified low permeation bulb. For use with 1/4 in. (6.35 mm) I.D. fuel line.
It is the same for both part numbers that Tom Clark gives.???
So, I guess it fits any standard size fuel line, 1/4", 5/16" or 3/8", cool.
wezie posted 06-10-2012 01:03 PM ET (US)
West Marine has both Quick Silver and Moeller primer bulbs.
I would agree that OEM rubber parts are better.
You need 3/8 for the fuel flow for your engine.
Mambo Minnow posted 06-11-2012 11:35 AM ET (US)
I just had a Mercury OEM primer bulb issue myself this weekend on a 200HP Optimax.
Two years ago, I had the fuel line and primer bulb replaced preparing for the day I had to have E10 gas in the fuel system. It replaced the original that had a yellow plastic ring on the end, which was apparently an inferior design.
The arrow on the latest bulb points toward the motor, which is the direction fuel is supposed to flow. I have to hold the bulb vertical to get fuel to flow. The bulb does not stay "rock hard", but I do get fuel to flow up from the below deck tank.
One end of the line has a metal ring with a screw fastener to tighten and prevent air leak. I removed this end and squeezed the bulb with my hand over the opening to check for suction.
The other end of the bulb, I could not get the barb out of the line. The Mercury dealer put a metal band that is crimped on to tighten the connection on the opposite end of the fuel line.
Does anyone know how to remove this type of band? I'd prefer to not cut the hose to remove it.
AZdave posted 06-12-2012 01:48 AM ET (US)
The crimped on clamps that I've seen are not very hard. You can probably cut the clamp off with a diagonal cutting pliers, or even a needle nose pliers. You can replace with a stainless band clamp.
Frank O posted 06-13-2012 12:41 AM ET (US)

quote:
I would agree that OEM rubber parts are better.
You need 3/8 for the fuel flow for your engine.
Well, that's the point. Perhaps due to the less than optimal descriptions descriptions in Mercury/Quicksilver parts system, I'm unable to find a bulb of theirs anywhere (mercurypartsexpress.com, etc) that is explicitly described as being for 3/8" i.d. hose. But my local Merc dealer sold me a bulb (8M0061875) that came in a box that states, "Fits 5/16" and 3/8" inside diameter hose." So, I'll go with that and assume it can handle the required flow.
L H G posted 06-13-2012 12:53 AM ET (US)
Mercury's fuel primer bulbs DEFINITELY are sized I.D. 3/8", but will also slide into their 5/16" fuel line and work well, which is why they are labeled that way. There is no disadvantage to use the larger 3/8" barb fitting with 5/16" fuel hose. Both Mercury's and BRP's fuel bulbs have the large size 3/8" ID size. I have looked at the aftermarket varieties, such as Moeller, SeaSense, etc, and even though labeled 3/8", they are much smaller ID than the Mercury bulbs. I would not use those. I think both Mercury and BRP make excellent primer bulbs and are all that I use.

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Author	Topic: Mercury primer bulbs
Frank O	posted 05-29-2012 07:02 PM ET (US) I'd like to get one of Mercury's reformulated primer bulbs for the 3/8" line feeding my 2011 Optimax 250. This listing at West Marine: http://tinyurl.com/primerbulb shows what seems to be the new bulb, but there's no indication on size. Do I need to find one specifically for 3/8"? I want to go with a Mercury bulb, not third-party.
contender	posted 05-29-2012 07:06 PM ET (US) Frank: Yes you will need a 3/8 size for you engine. I would not consider the bulb from West Marine, I do not think it is a factory one. Two things I have learned in the past, ALWAYS use a factory water pump/kit and a factory fuel bulb...
tmann45	posted 05-29-2012 09:46 PM ET (US) Frank, if you Google Quicksilver 8M0052973 (part number in WM catalog), you get 5/16" not 3/8". Suggest you go to a local outboard dealer, Mercury, Yamaha or Evinrude, and buy it there, all of these factory bulbs should be good. I have a Yamaha bulb and it is really heavy duty. The check valve balls are not spring loaded, you have to mount the bulb vertically so gravity will make them work, this reduces suction pressure in the fuel system which is good. Tom
swist	posted 05-30-2012 11:50 AM ET (US) I don't think that much of the OEM Merc bulbs. Mine wasn't used much before the check valve wouldn't "check" unless the bulb was held absolutely vertically so gravity would cause it to close.
Frank O	posted 06-08-2012 11:24 PM ET (US) For what it's worth -- I couldn't find a primer bulb in the Mercury parts system explicitly identified as being for 3/8" line. I asked my local Merc dealer, and they came up with a primer bulb with a part number 8M0061875. The box it came in states, "Fits 5/16" and 3/8" inside diameter hose."
Lil Whaler Lover	posted 06-09-2012 09:06 AM ET (US) When Mercury or Quicksilver upgrades a product such as a primer bulb, they always change the part number. At the end of the part number there should be 2 digits. They start at 01 and some parts are now ending in a number greater than 20. For example if you take a part number xxxxxx-03 off your motor and now there is a xxxxxx-07 available use the 07 as it is an upgraded version of the part. If my memory serves me correctly, the first Mercury/Quicksilver primer bulbs that are ethanol resistant are numbered 13330M07 for Mercury and 13330Q07 for Quicksilver. If there is a new generation this year it should end in 08 or higher. Any primer ending in 06 or lower is NOT ethanol ready.
Tom W Clark	posted 06-09-2012 10:50 AM ET (US) Why not go right to the source? Mercury Marine lists two primer bulbs for sale now. Part # 8M0052975: http://www.mercurypartsexpress.com/us/primer-bulb-assembly-p264872.html Part # 8M0052976: http://www.mercurypartsexpress.com/us/primer-bulb-assembly-p264871.html My suspicion is that one is for 5/16" hose, the other for 3/8" hose, but Mercury website is so feeble they do not bother explaining the difference between these two parts. The physical size of the bulbs is the same but the price is different. Perhaps one comes with clamps the other without? Who knows? Either way, these part numbers seems to supersede what West Marine is offering.
Tom W Clark	posted 06-09-2012 10:52 AM ET (US) So much for the two-different-hose-sizes theory: http:/ / www. ebay. com/ itm/ Mercury-New-OEM-Fuel-Gas-Line-Hose-Primer- Bulb-5-16-3-8-8M0061876-w-Clamps-/ 180897615880
tmann45	posted 06-09-2012 06:22 PM ET (US) Here is the description from Mercury website: http://www.mercurypartsexpress.com/us/index.php?target=categories& category_id=2303&products_results_num=18 quote: This bulb is a 2011 EPA Certified low permeation bulb. For use with 1/4 in. (6.35 mm) I.D. fuel line. It is the same for both part numbers that Tom Clark gives.??? So, I guess it fits any standard size fuel line, 1/4", 5/16" or 3/8", cool.
wezie	posted 06-10-2012 01:03 PM ET (US) West Marine has both Quick Silver and Moeller primer bulbs. I would agree that OEM rubber parts are better. You need 3/8 for the fuel flow for your engine.
Mambo Minnow	posted 06-11-2012 11:35 AM ET (US) I just had a Mercury OEM primer bulb issue myself this weekend on a 200HP Optimax. Two years ago, I had the fuel line and primer bulb replaced preparing for the day I had to have E10 gas in the fuel system. It replaced the original that had a yellow plastic ring on the end, which was apparently an inferior design. The arrow on the latest bulb points toward the motor, which is the direction fuel is supposed to flow. I have to hold the bulb vertical to get fuel to flow. The bulb does not stay "rock hard", but I do get fuel to flow up from the below deck tank. One end of the line has a metal ring with a screw fastener to tighten and prevent air leak. I removed this end and squeezed the bulb with my hand over the opening to check for suction. The other end of the bulb, I could not get the barb out of the line. The Mercury dealer put a metal band that is crimped on to tighten the connection on the opposite end of the fuel line. Does anyone know how to remove this type of band? I'd prefer to not cut the hose to remove it.
AZdave	posted 06-12-2012 01:48 AM ET (US) The crimped on clamps that I've seen are not very hard. You can probably cut the clamp off with a diagonal cutting pliers, or even a needle nose pliers. You can replace with a stainless band clamp.
Frank O	posted 06-13-2012 12:41 AM ET (US) quote: I would agree that OEM rubber parts are better. You need 3/8 for the fuel flow for your engine. Well, that's the point. Perhaps due to the less than optimal descriptions descriptions in Mercury/Quicksilver parts system, I'm unable to find a bulb of theirs anywhere (mercurypartsexpress.com, etc) that is explicitly described as being for 3/8" i.d. hose. But my local Merc dealer sold me a bulb (8M0061875) that came in a box that states, "Fits 5/16" and 3/8" inside diameter hose." So, I'll go with that and assume it can handle the required flow.
L H G	posted 06-13-2012 12:53 AM ET (US) Mercury's fuel primer bulbs DEFINITELY are sized I.D. 3/8", but will also slide into their 5/16" fuel line and work well, which is why they are labeled that way. There is no disadvantage to use the larger 3/8" barb fitting with 5/16" fuel hose. Both Mercury's and BRP's fuel bulbs have the large size 3/8" ID size. I have looked at the aftermarket varieties, such as Moeller, SeaSense, etc, and even though labeled 3/8", they are much smaller ID than the Mercury bulbs. I would not use those. I think both Mercury and BRP make excellent primer bulbs and are all that I use.