Engine stalls when fuel line connected?

[boatmom]

Hey folks I'm new to this forum but have learned so much from reading posts.
I appreciate and follow all advice. I have a 1999 50 hp merc 2 stroke with an odd problem....It will not run when fuel hose is connected to engine. After priming and disconnecting at the engine, she will idle until stall out. But will not continue to idle when fuel hose is connected. The obvious looks like a problem with the hose/connection from tank to engine. Could it be anything else?

 

[capslock118]

Re: Engine stalls when fuel line connected?

Similar but not the same problem happened to me last year; it was the primer bulb. Sometimes they get to a point where the check valves fail.

Line and bulb is about $20, I'd replace that first,

 

[Fuzzytbay]

Re: Engine stalls when fuel line connected?

I am a bit confused.
If you connect the fuel line, prime the ball hard, then try and start the motor, it will not start. Correct?
Yet if you prime the ball hard, then disconnect the fuel line from the motor, it will start. Yes?

 

[boatmom]

Re: Engine stalls when fuel line connected?

That is correct. It's driving me nuts

 

[Fuzzytbay]

Re: Engine stalls when fuel line connected?

Interesting, I"d swap out fuel lines first, to one thats proven to work, or brand new. That way you quickly eliminate the fuel line.
Another question, the tank, is it portable, or built into the boat?

 

[boatmom]

Re: Engine stalls when fuel line connected?

I should clarify myself Fuzzytbay. It will start as long as it is primed, it will not continue to idle. When we did some troubleshooting, we figured out that it would run on gas in engine, but would not continue to run when connected to fuel source. It does not seem to be getting the gaS

 

[boatmom]

Re: Engine stalls when fuel line connected?

The tank is portable. I just went and picked up new 6 gal. tank, complete fuel line assembly with quick disconnect feature, and plan on trying again tomorrow. That seems like a good place to start

 

[Fuzzytbay]

Re: Engine stalls when fuel line connected?

Ok then replace the fuel primer bulb, or the whole line, which ever is cheapest. As the other poster mentioned the primer bulb check valves do fail. You still may have to put in fuel pump kits, however, if you change the kits, and its the balls problem, you will still need a new ball, and will then have spent needless money on the fuel pump.

 

[boatmom]

Re: Engine stalls when fuel line connected?

Gotcha. Thanks for the input I'm going to give it a try. Hope it's the easy fix and not the fuel pump. I'll keep ya posted!

 

[capslock118]

Re: Engine stalls when fuel line connected?

Fuel pump is much easier than you would first assume; if your're like me and dive into projects unfamiliar to you...