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Author	Topic:   Fuel System: Position of Primer Bulb and Fuel Filter
froberts	posted 09-28-2008 02:47 PM ET (US)         Does it matter if the fuel-water separator filter is on the intake side or exit side of the primer bulb? I've always put the primer bulb between the separator and the engine. I put one on a friend's 1997 Boston Whaler DAUNTLESS 15 this week. He did not want the whole fuel line replaced. When I disconnected the line from the tank and primed the bulb into a clean bucket, the fuel looked like it had fine pieces of rubber all in my bucket. I thought it might be from the primer bulb and fuel line
seabob4	posted 09-28-2008 04:02 PM ET (US)             Primer bulb downstream of your separator. That way, your bulb sees clean fuel. When you secure the bulb, have the arrow pointing up.
jimh	posted 09-29-2008 11:10 PM ET (US)             Most fuel-water separating filters specify that they should be installed on the suction side of the fuel pump. Since the primer bulb is also a pump, you should put the filter upstream of the primer. As mentioned, the filter will also keep debris out of the primer.
sosmerc	posted 09-30-2008 12:14 AM ET (US)             here's my take on the situation regarding location of primer bulbs. I always try to locate the primer bulb between the fuel tank and the water seperator/filter. I try to locate the primer bulb such that it can easily be operated with the arrow facing up...this makes it much easier to prime the filter after filter element changes. In most cases you have the added benefit of getting the primer bulb out of exposure to the sun and weather. I also insist on using only Mercury primer bulbs as my experience has shown them to be of a higher quality.
Clark Roberts	posted 09-30-2008 08:28 AM ET (US)             Ditto...sosmerc
newt	posted 09-30-2008 01:16 PM ET (US)             I've run boats set up both ways and have not noticed a difference where the primer bulb was. I also have not noticed a difference if the arrow is pointed up or sideways.
deepwater	posted 09-30-2008 05:38 PM ET (US)             the arrow is only there to show you where the check ball is located,,it also helps during the initial stage of getting fuel to the carbs and provides pressure for the pump to pick up fuel during start up,,the check ball keeps the bulb full if you have to disconnect the fuel line from one tank and changing over to another tank
froberts	posted 09-30-2008 07:59 PM ET (US)             thanks for all the advice. when i just dumped my friends fuel tank (Original tank to boat white fiberglass) it had all kinds of gellcoat trash in it. I cleaned the tank about 4 times to get the sludge and trash out.I am not a boat mech but have had a lifetime of working on mine and friends junk so know a good bit about 2 strock motors.What could this trash be and how long do these tanks last.
seabob4	posted 09-30-2008 08:33 PM ET (US)             JimH, Downstream to me means past the fuel/water separator. I guess it's a semantics thing.

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