Need Help, can't keep engine running

[jasonjmccoy]

I purchased my first boat, a 1985 Lund Pike w/ a Mercury 18HP motor. Everything on the boat is in great shape as it's only been used a handful of times since bought by the original owner. I took it out today on my maiden voyage and everything went great, except for one small problem. I had to keep squeezing the fuel tank bulb every 10-15 seconds or the motor would quit. I'm guessing that I'm getting air into the system and causing it to lose prime. I also noticed some fuel leaking from the front of the engine when I squeeze the bulb. I took the cover off and squeezed the bulb and noticed fuel leaking from the top of the white cup that goes over the fuel filter. This brings me to 2 questions. 1) Would that bad seal introduce enough air into the system for me to experience the problem I described? and 2) When I removed the cup, I noticed there is no gasket or o-ring between the cup and the part it screws onto (picture below because I'm really lacking on the terminology here). Am I missing a gasket?

 

[Fisherball]

Re: Need Help, can't keep engine running

You would get a quicker & more accurate answer if you posted in the "Mercury Motor" forum instead of in the "Boat Topics & Question (not engine topics)" forum. Scroll down further & you'll see it. It sounds like you didn't open the fuel tank vent. I did the same thing first time out.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Need Help, can't keep engine running

That would be a big yes, If fuel can leak out air will leak in.