Primer Bulb doesn't get hard

[Shadoe]

150 straight 6 cylinder Mercury, 1979 model. Replaced all the gas lines and the primer bulb and put the arrow towards the motor as you are supposed to do. It still does not get hard.Old one, nor the new one will get hard and loses its prime. Can the fuel pump cause this?

[mrm]

Take the cover off the motor and look at the carbs. as you pump. Is gas pouring out of them? If so, your float inlet needle and seat may need cleaning --replacing.MRM

[Shadoe]

No gas was coming out of the carbs while the motor was idling or revving. Changed all the fuel lines, but there still seems to be a problem.

[John from Madison CT]

Shadoe, Try this trick, point the Primer Bulb vertically. The check valve ball things inside sit better and seem to hold the gas back as they should with the bulbs pumped vertically. That would be arrow up, with the gas going upwards.Give it a try and let me know. I've become a firm believer in this and was proven wrong by an old salt who knows outboards.John

[oldboat1]

not sure I'm getting this -- hearing you say the motor runs/idles, but you are concerned because the bulb doesn't get hard (?). If everything is running properly, the motor will draw gas up from the tank without (necessarily) making the bulb feel hard. If it collapses with the engine running, there is a problem somewhere in the tank or line (e.g., the vent is not open). If you detach one of the carb inlet hoses at the carb, you can tell if the bulb is pumping gas properly. When you squeeze the bulb, gas will come out of the disconnected hose if the bulb is doing its job as a manual primer pump. Beyond that, though, the bulb doesn't serve an additional function.

[rickdb1boat]

Try running it with a 6 Gal. portable tank hooked up with new fuel line. If it stays hard and runs good, your old tank set-up is the problem! Don't know if you have a built in tank, but it could be the vent is clogged or some other restriction from the tank. I believe what "mrm" meant was, pump the bulb while the motor is NOT running and see if it leaks gas out the carbs. Then you need to rebuild the carbs!Rick

[dalc4life]

John,I was having the same problem after making some new connections with old hose(cutting off ends). I was ready to replace the hose but tried this primer trick (upward). It worked.Does this mean that bulb is going bad or is it just the way your supposed to point the bulb? anyone?thanksMike Hugo

[kenh1010]

Maybe adding a little Viagra to the fuel wouldhelp this problem.....?(Sorry, could'nt resist..)

[mrm]

That was to easy, better living through Chemistry!!!!!!!