Help! Mercury 40HP 2 stroke pull start won't start

[Donny87]

Any advice would be appreciated. The only problem I have identified is the little primer bulb on the motor, (not the one on the fuel hose). It doesn't seem to be working at all. When pushed in repeatedly, it never gets firm or builds any resistance. Like its not drawing fuel at all. There doesn't seem to be anything on the internet about this specific problem. Everything is about the big primer on the fuel hose. Thanks!

 

[GA_Boater]

Just use the bulb on the hose. The bubble primer does not have the volume capacity to suck through 5-6 feet of hose.

Using an external tank and trying to prime the carb using the little bubble primer will take forever and then some. After the fuel hose is filled with the big bulb, the bubble primer has a chance to work.

 

[Donny87]

Thanks for the reply. I have used the bulb on the hose and it is getting fuel to the motor. Should that be enough for it to start? I always thought you had to use both primers for it to start. I've always pumped the one on the hose a few times and then the one on the motor a few times and then pulled the cord.

 

[GA_Boater]

Squeeze the bulb until it firms up, then the bubble primer should feel firm too.

If the bulb isn't firm, there isn't enough gas in the motor. After it's firm, try starting.

 

[Donny87]

The big bulb gets firm after a few squeezes, but the bubble primer does not. Could it just be a faulty bubble primer? Or maybe a crack in the little fuel line that connects to the bubble primer. I did take the cover off and found a tiny crack on one of those lines right where it attaches to the back of the primer. But it is so small that you can't even see it unless you wiggle the line around, doesn't seem big enough to totally compromise it.

I will add that I have not cranked this motor in a few months. I'm wondering if maybe the carb is gunked up or something. Thanks again for your replies.

 

[GA_Boater]

Take the spark plug out and squirt a little pre-mixed gas in and put the plugs back in and give it a few pulls to see if she pops.

Check for spark while the plugs are out.

 

[Donny87]

Depending on what happens when I do this, what will this determine?

 

[GA_Boater]

If it pops, then gas isn't getting either to the carb or through the carb.

Just a simple check to see if the motor may run if it gets gas.