What causes fuel to go back into tank after primin

tony08

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What causes fuel to go back into tank after priming. Have changed backflow 3 times and bubble twice.
 

cyclops222

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Should be bad check valves in the squeeze Primer Bulb.
Unscrew the fuel tank filler cap to release any excess ...VACUUM....in the tank.
 

alldodge

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Need a OB guy, don't know if tank has a check antisiphon valve of some sort
 

cyclops222

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Would leaving the cap loose relieve the problem ?
A few million defective parts ?
 

racerone

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The primer bulb is a simple manual pump.----Once it is used to fill the carburetor it does nothing !----Going soft after filling carburetors means nothing.
 

dingbat

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You need an opening to atmosphere (leak) to break the vacuum of a sealed fuel line to allow the fuel to drain back.

A sticking float valve would do it, as would a leaky fuel fitting. Fuel filters and band style hose clamps are another common source of vacuum leaks.

FWIW: a vacuum leak doesn’t necessarily leak fuel
 

cyclops222

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Good primer bulbs ... ONLY... pump gasoline in 1 direction. The built in check valve must prevent drain back. How else will the pump ...HOLD ...2 to 5 pounds of pressure in the carburetor FLOAT needle valve system.
My primer bulb has ROCK HARD shape a couple of days later. I DO NOT need to squeeze it at all.
Yes there really can be 3 million REJECT squeeze primer bulbs out there.
 

cyclops222

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Think about a Primer bulb FUNCTION.
EACH squeeze is...SUPPOSED.... to INCREASE the fuel pressure in a carburetor float level that is several feet HIGHER. Than the gas level in a near empty gas tank on the floor under it. A soft bulb just does NOTHING to fill the carburetor to operating pressure.
3 million rejects and counting.
 

cyclops222

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This spring I finally changed the primer bulb for the generator. It was just to hard to squeeze efficiently. about 35 years old. Still pumped . But caused cramped muscles in my hand.
 

racerone

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The bulb fills the carburetor float bowl to the correct level.-----The fuel in the float bowl is exposed to atmospheric pressure.-----Once carburetor float bowls are full the bulb does nothing.
 

cyclops222

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Some times I disconnect the hose connector at the engine and allow the carburator & pump to go dry. I then use the bulb to recharge the carburetor completely. Instead of a long dry cranking of the engine.
Reconnect connectors. 1 squeeze or 2 and engine is running with just a 1/4 of a second of starter cranking.
 

flyingscott

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Think about a Primer bulb FUNCTION.
EACH squeeze is...SUPPOSED.... to INCREASE the fuel pressure in a carburetor float level that is several feet HIGHER. Than the gas level in a near empty gas tank on the floor under it. A soft bulb just does NOTHING to fill the carburetor to operating pressure.
3 million rejects and counting.
no it doesnt. That is not even close to true
 

flyingscott

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Good primer bulbs ... ONLY... pump gasoline in 1 direction. The built in check valve must prevent drain back. How else will the pump ...HOLD ...2 to 5 pounds of pressure in the carburetor FLOAT needle valve system.
My primer bulb has ROCK HARD shape a couple of days later. I DO NOT need to squeeze it at all.
Yes there really can be 3 million REJECT squeeze primer bulbs out there.
Your bulb should not be hard after days. if it is the tank vent is suspect,
 

cyclops222

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I always leave the tank filler cap loose. To prevent any possible high vacuum or overpressure of the pump or rubber tipped float pin.
 

Tassie 1

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Apr 13, 2018
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Dosen't answer your question but l bought a new primer and line a few months ago.
Wouldn't prime straight out of the packaging,

Luckily l had bought it locally...only a couple of mins drive.

Mechanic tested it on his system and it was faulty.
Replaced it.
Said it had probably been sitting on his shelf for 3 years.
 
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