Primer bulb before or after fuel/water separator

[Will Bark]

I recently installed a fuel/water separator and put the primer bulb before it since my instructions didn't mention anything about placement. It's done the same way my neighbor has his and hasn't any problems. I've run mine on the muffs and also on a lake with a 7MPH limit, no problem starting either time. I've seen different opinions but not anything conclusive. Is there any diffierence since after priming the bulb is just part of the fuel hose? Thnaks for any help.

 

['96 Charger]

Re: Primer bulb before or after fuel/water separator

I've always always been told to put it ahead of the bulb. Then again in most rigs that's the only "convenient" way to do it.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Primer bulb before or after fuel/water separator

My primer bulb is before fuel/water separator, no problems at all. One advantage is that after you change or dump your fuel/water separator canister you can fill it back up with the primer bulb.

 

[Will Bark]

Re: Primer bulb before or after fuel/water separator

Thanks for the replies; I'm going to leave her as she is. Will be going to the coast Friday and will be running the river for a good way.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Primer bulb before or after fuel/water separator

In 30 years of running and working on outboards, I have never seen a primer before the fuel/water separator, it's not gonna serve any purpose before the separator. You're not priming your separator, you are priming your carbs.

If you have it before the separator and you pump it, all you are doing is filling up the filter, which is more than likely already full. The whole purpose of the primer is to prime the carbs from the filter full of fuel. I'm surprised you can even start cold with your bulb ahead of the separator.

 

[Will Bark]

Re: Primer bulb before or after fuel/water separator

So far of the 5 or 6 times I've started and run her, have not had any problems, carbs are priming and its starting ok. I'll have my tools with me if she wont run under load and at reasonable speed. Friday will be the first time I'll run the river for a long way.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Primer bulb before or after fuel/water separator

Starting cold would be the biggest issue, I doubt you'd see any issues with running, no matter what load or how long you ran.

What engine is this on?

 

[Will Bark]

Re: Primer bulb before or after fuel/water separator

150hp 1987 Johnson on 21 ft bay boat. Using pre-mix fuel, VRO taken off. Going to start it up this morning on the muffs.

 

[roncoop75]

Re: Primer bulb before or after fuel/water separator

I recently installed a fuel/water separator and put the primer bulb before it since my instructions didn't mention anything about placement.

Hmmm. Mine did. I was looking at it (without reading the instructions of course) wondering where to put it in the system. I gave up and actually read the instructions (for once) which said to put the bulb after the sep.

 

[Will Bark]

Re: Primer bulb before or after fuel/water separator

Just finished running on the muffs; 4 squeezes on the bulb primed the carbs and about 3-4 seconds on the starter with the elec. primer held down. Started and ran without any problem that I could see. Hope it stays that way. I do have a 12 gallon "get home" tank that can by-pass the separator if need be.

 

[gss036]

Re: Primer bulb before or after fuel/water separator

I think, as you have found out, it works either way. If you pump/squeeze the bulb, it pushes gas through the filter to the engine and it starts. 99% are installed between the filter and the engine.

 

['96 Charger]

Re: Primer bulb before or after fuel/water separator

I've always always been told to put it ahead of the bulb. Then again in most rigs that's the only "convenient" way to do it.

Crap I meant to say behind the bulb:redface:

 

[Will Bark]

Re: Primer bulb before or after fuel/water separator

Finally able to launch today, 3 squeezes on the bulb and started right up. Ran up the river to my redfish hole, found them and the engine ran just fine with no problems so I'm going to leave it set up just the way it is. thanks for all the comments.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Primer bulb before or after fuel/water separator

Good to hear its working well for you.

Just to add my two cents, I have two boats with permanent tanks and outboards. One has the primer bulb up front by the bow tank (easy to prime from the seat where the ignition and controls are), with the filter between the primer and the motor. The other boat has the filter between the primer and the tank (tank under splash well). Both setups work just fine. Both primer bulbs will fill the fuel filter when drained, one pulls a vacuum to fill the filter, the other pumps to fill the filter. Doesn't seem to make any difference in how well they prime or how well they deliver fuel.

Word of advice, carry a spare primer bulb because old bulbs crack when you least expect it. At about $7, its a good spare part to have.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Primer bulb before or after fuel/water separator

It will work either way but seperators are designed to work on a suction. Racor recomends against installing any sort of a "transfer pump" in front of the filter claiming that the pump will emulsify any water and push it through the filter unevaded. Probably not a big deal but it defeats the purpose of installing the filter in the first place.

 

[rustyriver]

Re: Primer bulb before or after fuel/water separator

Never thought of that dingbat. Good to know!

 

[191Seanymphstriper]

Re: Primer bulb before or after fuel/water separator

MOTOR - Fuel line- bulb-fuel line- Water separater- fuel line- Tank