Primer Bulb Won't Become Firm

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
glurtis
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Primer Bulb Won't Become Firm

Postby glurtis » Sat Jun 19, 2021 7:07 pm

[On a 2001 DAUNTLESS 16 the following narrative of events is given;]

I changed out two year old gasoline.

I put in 30 gallons of new gasoline.

Now the [primer] bulb won't pump up.

I was able to draw gasoline after disconnecting the fuel line from engine.

Changed out [an unidentified] filter [located in some unknown location].

I still can't draw gasoline with the [primer] bulb.

The blockage appears to be between the fuel tank and the filter.

Give me suggestions on the cause.

Give me advice on a remedy.

glurtis

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Phil T
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Re: Primer Bulb Won't Become Firm

Postby Phil T » Sun Jun 20, 2021 1:47 pm

Have you installed the primer bulb in the right orientation. It has a one-way valve. Look for the arrow.

What filter? On the engine or an external one?

Did you already re-prime the fuel line before re-attaching to the engine?

When you say you can't draw fuel, what is the indicator that is telling you this?

Take photos or a video and post for more detail.
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
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Don SSDD
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Re: Primer Bulb Won't Become Firm

Postby Don SSDD » Mon Jun 21, 2021 7:20 am

When you say filter, do you mean a fuel-water separator filter?

If yes, did you replace the filter?

Best to fill the filter close to full before installing it.

To drw fuel draw fuel from the tank and fill the filter using the primer bulb can take a while.
1986 Outrage 18 with 2001 Honda 130 HP
Former Owner 1991 Guardian 19 with 1994 Evinrude V4 140HP
Former owner 1987 Montauk with 1998 Mercury 90HP
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jimh
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Re: Primer Bulb Won't Become Firm

Postby jimh » Mon Jun 21, 2021 8:37 am

For advice on how to use the primer bulb as a diagnostic tool, read

A PRIMER ON PRIMERS
https://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/primer.html

For a primer bulb to become firm, all air must be expelled from the fuel system and any reservoirs downstream of the primer must become filled.

jimh
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Re: Primer Bulb Won't Become Firm

Postby jimh » Mon Jun 21, 2021 8:48 am

glurtis wrote:...The blockage appears to be between the fuel tank and the filter.


Your deduction that the reason the primer bulb won't become firm is caused by a blockage does not make sense.

If there were a blockage downstream of the primer the bulb would become firm with squeezing.

If there were a blockage upstream of the primer bulb the bulb would collapse with squeezing.

In neither situation would the primer bulb continue to be able to be pumped.

padrefigure
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Re: Primer Bulb Won't Become Firm

Postby padrefigure » Tue Jun 22, 2021 3:51 pm

But if the bulb was sucking (or pushing) air, it would not pump up firmly.

jimh
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Re: Primer Bulb Won't Become Firm

Postby jimh » Wed Jun 23, 2021 9:54 am

padrefigure wrote:But if the bulb was sucking (or pushing) air, it would not pump up firmly.


Yes—but an air in the system is not a “blockage.”

glurtis
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Re: Primer Bulb Won't Become Firm

Postby glurtis » Mon Jul 12, 2021 5:29 pm

I want to thank everyone for your responses. I did read the responses you provided. The failure of the primer bulb to become firm has been resolved. Here's how:

Using a siphon pump on the motor side of the bulb, I sucked out some nasty looking stuff until [the liquid being pump] cleared up.

I was then able to pump up the bulb.

Two weeks later I tried the bulb and it had lost its vacuum. Pumping it up again proved fruitless.

I stopped at [a marine dealership] and asked the owner for advice. He recommended that I hold the bulb in the vertical position with the arrow point up when I pump the bulb.

I did that.

It's amazing that something so simple worked so well. The bulb pumps up every time now.

Again, thank you all for your responses.

glurtis

jimh
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Re: Primer Bulb Won't Become Firm

Postby jimh » Mon Jul 12, 2021 7:20 pm

Had you read my article, A PRIMER ON PRIMERS, (which I mentioned and gave a hyperlink to in my earlier reply) you would have already received advice on how to orient the primer bulb vertically.