New Question - Primer ball does not fill

[TwoBallScrewBall]

I could never get my primer ball pumped up on this engine to the point it was solid. I figured it was a bad check valve so I put a new one on today. Double clamped on both ends, and this one won't get solid either. I feel gas trickling through it when I squeeze, but never gets anywhere near full, let alone solid. <br /><br />1) Next step is new gas line from tank to primer? I have access to the top of the tank and most of the line so it should be pretty easy.<br /><br />2) If my fuel line is sucking air somewhere, can that affect my WOT performance? Maybe that's part of my problem getting the RPM I expect in my other posts?<br /><br />Thanks again, let me have it!

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: New Question - Primer ball does not fill

Well, it's not the fuel line between the ball and the tank.<br /><br />I have a 6 gallon tempo portable tank. I hooked that up to the primer ball, and it still won't firm up. <br /><br />Is this something worth chasing down, and if so, what shoud I look for next?

 

[Solittle]

Re: New Question - Primer ball does not fill

If you suspect air the first place to check are the little o rings in the quick disconnects at the end of the fuel line.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: New Question - Primer ball does not fill

I have no quick disconnects, it's all hose clamped. I pump the hell out of it and I don't see fuel leaking anywhere, so I'm thinking maybe it's float seat.... going back outside to look around more now. Thanks!

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: New Question - Primer ball does not fill

Went outside again, found that without the engine side of the hose connected and my finger over the primer outlet, it pumps well and gets very firm when full, on both the portable and in-hull tank, and with both the old and new primer balls. If connected to the hose to the engine it stays very soft and empty. I'm going to go see if my seloc manual gives me any ideas. Feel free to comment.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: New Question - Primer ball does not fill

I don't have to have the key on to get the pump running, right? Because if I block off the outlet when the ball is empty it does the same thing it does when conencted to the engine. If I allow the ball to fill then block it off it stays firm. Help me out here!

 

[OBJ]

Re: New Question - Primer ball does not fill

Steve....take the hood off and tilt the engine forward a little. If it has a silencer over the carbs, remove the cover. Squeeze the primer bulb and see if any of the carbs puke gas while squeezing the bulb. If any do, maybe bad or misadjusted float, needle bad....

 

[G DANE]

Re: New Question - Primer ball does not fill

This could explain quite a bit. I experienced a leaking needle valve making motor running rich will cut down top rpm. OBJ gives good advice here to track it down.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: New Question - Primer ball does not fill

what Gdane and obj say. you have fuel leaking somewhere. or the new primer is defective but you already tested that. or in some service the red tag on the primer was moved to the on position. check that first cause its easy.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: New Question - Primer ball does not fill

The red primer lever is set to "run". I checked that.<br /><br />I will look for fuel coming out a carb this morning and let you all know. <br /><br />Thanks!!

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: New Question - Primer ball does not fill

Double checked the primer lever, inline with the solenoid.<br /><br />Removed airbox, tilted motor full up and pumped. Ball did not get firm, and gas did not come out of any of the carb throats. <br /><br />It did however come out where the red arrow is pointing:<br /><br />

<br /><br />This is the best part: when I tilted the motor back down, for the first time ever, the primer ball firmed up. WHAT'S GOING ON!?!?!?!?! <br /><br />Thanks agian!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: New Question - Primer ball does not fill

the leak was the needle not sealing. odds are the needle seat is bad or the float is rubbing on the gasket and not allowing it to seat the needle. gotta fix it.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: New Question - Primer ball does not fill

OK. The carbs are 7 years old, I'll price a kit for all 6 and put it on the winter project list. Only have a couple weeks of fishing left here and I'm not going to tear down the carbs and chance losing out on them. <br /><br />Thanks!!!!!!!