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Author Topic:   Primer Bulb and EFI

Jarhead posted 06-12-2003 08:57 AM ET (US)
I have a 2003 115hp 4c Merc. w/EFI.
I've seen it posted in a couple of threads that with EFI you need not pump the primer bulb. However when the dealer ran through the set up when I took delivery he pumped the bulb and said that it was the only thing that the 4c EFI had in common with the 2c's. [as far as starting] I took that to mean no need for choke or fast idle for warm ups.
I know I can just try it without pumping but would like to hear what the general consensus is.
Any thoughts on this?

JohnJ80 posted 06-12-2003 10:13 AM ET (US)
seems to me if the bulb is soft (empty) it doesn't matter what type of engine it is, it isn't getting any gas. I would think you have to get gas up to the carb or fuel injection so that it can be metered.
as with both types, you don't want to overdue it, just until you feel the bulb firm up.
j
wspellenbe posted 06-12-2003 01:15 PM ET (US)
That brings up a good question. Pump or no pump? Since their is no choke do you set the throttle faster than idle on startup or just start it?
Jarhead posted 06-12-2003 02:16 PM ET (US)
wspellenbe.
I looked that one up in the manual and it said no need to use fast idle for warm up. There's a sensor that takes care of that.
JohnJ80 posted 06-12-2003 02:46 PM ET (US)
on my Evinrude FICHT, you start it just like its a fuel injected car. Don't touch anything except the key. the injection handles it all.
the FICHT will run faster than a slow idle if it is cold and then will slow down as told to by the computer.
j
lhg posted 06-12-2003 03:50 PM ET (US)
Mercury EFI systems always have a primer bulb, although with my 200 EFI's I have found I rarely have to use it, even after the engines have been sitting for a month. Starting is simply turn key, like a modern auto engine, no fast idle necessary. Same with the Optimax engines.
jstachowiak posted 06-12-2003 05:32 PM ET (US)
I know on my 4 stroke EFI Evinrude (Suzuki) when you turn the key to the "on" position and the horn beeps, and walk back to the motor you can hear the fuel pump running, then turn the key and the engine starts first time, every time. If the motor you have has an electric fuel pump, I would think you would not have to prime the bulb. I do not prime the bulb and have not since I installed the new motor.
Dick posted 06-12-2003 09:43 PM ET (US)
Electric fuel pumps do not like to be run dry, sure it will pull the fuel up untill it fails. Give the primer bulb a couple squeezes and keep the fuel pump happy.
Dick
Drydock posted 06-13-2003 02:38 AM ET (US)
I would tend to agree with using the bulb to prime the fuel pump. Even a good fuel pump is better at pumping fluid than bubbles.
I had some problems keeping my 135 Opti running until I replaced the primer bulb. It starts great now and keeps running. But I do notice that after a week of non use the bulb is soft and needs a squeeze or two. This is also true for the 4 stroke honda I have. The dealer said to always check the primer bulb prior to start.
Jarhead posted 06-13-2003 06:40 AM ET (US)
Yesterday I called my boat dealer and asked about the need to pump. He told me that the fuel pump that primes the injectors is lubricated by fuel so running it dry was a bad idea.
Soooo, if the bulb is soft, pump it.
Guess I should have been able to figure that on out myself.

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Author	Topic: Primer Bulb and EFI
Jarhead	posted 06-12-2003 08:57 AM ET (US) I have a 2003 115hp 4c Merc. w/EFI. I've seen it posted in a couple of threads that with EFI you need not pump the primer bulb. However when the dealer ran through the set up when I took delivery he pumped the bulb and said that it was the only thing that the 4c EFI had in common with the 2c's. [as far as starting] I took that to mean no need for choke or fast idle for warm ups. I know I can just try it without pumping but would like to hear what the general consensus is. Any thoughts on this?
JohnJ80	posted 06-12-2003 10:13 AM ET (US) seems to me if the bulb is soft (empty) it doesn't matter what type of engine it is, it isn't getting any gas. I would think you have to get gas up to the carb or fuel injection so that it can be metered. as with both types, you don't want to overdue it, just until you feel the bulb firm up. j
wspellenbe	posted 06-12-2003 01:15 PM ET (US) That brings up a good question. Pump or no pump? Since their is no choke do you set the throttle faster than idle on startup or just start it?
Jarhead	posted 06-12-2003 02:16 PM ET (US) wspellenbe. I looked that one up in the manual and it said no need to use fast idle for warm up. There's a sensor that takes care of that.
JohnJ80	posted 06-12-2003 02:46 PM ET (US) on my Evinrude FICHT, you start it just like its a fuel injected car. Don't touch anything except the key. the injection handles it all. the FICHT will run faster than a slow idle if it is cold and then will slow down as told to by the computer. j
lhg	posted 06-12-2003 03:50 PM ET (US) Mercury EFI systems always have a primer bulb, although with my 200 EFI's I have found I rarely have to use it, even after the engines have been sitting for a month. Starting is simply turn key, like a modern auto engine, no fast idle necessary. Same with the Optimax engines.
jstachowiak	posted 06-12-2003 05:32 PM ET (US) I know on my 4 stroke EFI Evinrude (Suzuki) when you turn the key to the "on" position and the horn beeps, and walk back to the motor you can hear the fuel pump running, then turn the key and the engine starts first time, every time. If the motor you have has an electric fuel pump, I would think you would not have to prime the bulb. I do not prime the bulb and have not since I installed the new motor.
Dick	posted 06-12-2003 09:43 PM ET (US) Electric fuel pumps do not like to be run dry, sure it will pull the fuel up untill it fails. Give the primer bulb a couple squeezes and keep the fuel pump happy. Dick
Drydock	posted 06-13-2003 02:38 AM ET (US) I would tend to agree with using the bulb to prime the fuel pump. Even a good fuel pump is better at pumping fluid than bubbles. I had some problems keeping my 135 Opti running until I replaced the primer bulb. It starts great now and keeps running. But I do notice that after a week of non use the bulb is soft and needs a squeeze or two. This is also true for the 4 stroke honda I have. The dealer said to always check the primer bulb prior to start.
Jarhead	posted 06-13-2003 06:40 AM ET (US) Yesterday I called my boat dealer and asked about the need to pump. He told me that the fuel pump that primes the injectors is lubricated by fuel so running it dry was a bad idea. Soooo, if the bulb is soft, pump it. Guess I should have been able to figure that on out myself.