Insurance, Boat Then the larger line from the carburetor should connect to the short port on the primer.                                                                     Hitches, & Under normal running conditions, the bulb will not stay rock hard.                                                                     Grills, Boat Drink                                                                     Smoke                                                                     Accessories, Marine DC Power Plugs It is normal for the primer to get soft in operation but if it collapses there is a blockage.                                                 Forums, Find                                                                     Zincs, Generator                                                                             Covers, Boat Cover                                                                     Boat, Sell A                                                                         Covers, Boat Wiring & Once the engine is primed and the bulb filled with fuel it will work in any position. I would suspect the pump or the quick connect and lines to the pump. The carburetor is a part of the engine that mixes fuel and air together to make a combustion.                                                                     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Winches, Boat Motor Supports &                                                                     Combos, Fishing Tools &                                                                     Instruments, VHF Radios &                                                                     Accessories, Marine DC Power Plugs                                                                     Furniture, Boat Seat Pedestals &                                                         The Right Fit, Shop By                                                                     & Circuit                                                                     Boats, Propeller Parts &                                                                     Rails, Marine Tools & Tool My primer bulb has always "gone flat" shortly after start and a little use.                                                                     Harware, Marine Nuts, Bolts, &                                                                     Tackle Boxes, Fishing Bait &                                                                     Racks, Fish Finders, Sounders Want to make sure the basics are covered before tearing into o/b fuel pump or internal fuel lines. It should stay "inflated"  though.                                                                     Fenders, Boat Trailer Shop great deals on Fuel Primer Bulb. Is the filter separator between the primer and the motor? Mowers have …                                                         Category, View The fuel … I replaced the bulb and it will not get hard.                                                                     Maintenance, Boat Cleaners &                                                             Bullet Skimmer, Paint and                                                                     & Rings, Prop Nut Kits &                                                                     Parts, Boat Tubing &                                                                     Deals, Electronics Hey Frank/ondavr the bulb gets hard motor starts & while I'm running the motor starts to quit till I squeeze the bulb a few times it starts running again?                                                                     Parts, Wash Down                                                             Anchor Box Anchors, Fishing Rod & Reel If the primer bulb is leaking, it may not be able to supply enough fuel to the engine for start up. It should stay "inflated" though. Most small engines will not start if the carburetor is dry.                                                         Maintenance, Fiberglass & Epoxy                                                                     PFDs, Roof Racks, Carriers,                                                                     Products, Carbon Monoxide &                                                                     Towers, Tow Ropes & It will not stay "hard" while operating but if you can pump for that long then best replace the bulb with a genuine one-not a cheap aftermarket one-they cause more problems then they are worth.                                                                     Hitches, &                                                                     Charts &                                                                     Jacks, Boat Trailer Brakes &                                                         Galley, Barbeque                                                                     Waxes, Boat Cleaning                                                                     Furniture, Boat Seat Pedestals &                                                                     Detectors, Binoculars & Fast & Free shipping on many items!                                                                     Galley, Covers and                                                                     Acessories, Fish Cleaning                                                                     Deals, Boat Seats                                                                     Cushions, Lexington                                                                             Tops, Bimini Top                                                         Biminis, View It would not get very hard, and it really never made me feel like I was getting a firm, primed fuel line.                                                                     Financing, Iboats                                                             Riptide Terrova 80 Trolling Motor w/i-Pilot & Bluetooth, Inflatable If the fuel is not being pumped out of the tank, either the problem is the fuel lines are not connected correctly or the carburetor has an internal problem.                                                                     Winches, Boat Motor Supports & Firstly check your fuel filter you should be able to blow gently through it and hear the air bubbling in the fuel tank. 1. the primer bulb has a check valve in it...it may be bad, and this could be why it is not getting hard.                                                                     Deals, Electrical                                                                         Accessories, Boat                                                                     Lighting, Marine Teak When the primer bulb isn't working, it may be a problem with the bulb itself, with the fuel lines that feed fuel to the bulb or both.                                                                     Biminis, Paint and                                                                     Deals, Camping & RV                                                                     Oars, Wakeboard, Wakesurf & It  may not display this or other websites correctly.                                                                     Telescopes, Covers and                                                         Seats, Fishing Boat                                                                         Shelters, Boat                                                                     Maintenance, Pumps and                                                                     Hardware, Boat                                                             GPS Chartplotter and Fish Finder Combo, Find If there is a crack in the primer bulb it can draw air into the fuel, causing an improper air/fuel ratio.                                                                     Supplies, Boston Whaler, 1972-1993,                                                                     Protection, Ladders, Steps, &                                                                     Vinyl, Floating Boat                                                                     Parts, Inflatable Any help on how to get the airlock out or what I should try will be appreciated.                                                             Outboards, Shop                                                                     Pumps, Livewell Aerator Pumps                                                                     Parts, Wash Down                                                             Battery Charger, Marine Audio &                                                                         Covers, Other CREATE Shop                                                                     & Circuit Any help on how to get the airlock out or what I should try will be appreciated. It generally starts with a partial blockage, where playing around with the fuel hose and pumping the primer bulb will get the motor to start or keep it running. What is a Primer Bulb?                                                                             Covers, Boat Cover Thanks for watching.                                                                     Seats, Pontoon Boat Seats & In a few days, squeezing the primer bulb does less and less, possibly getting to the point where there is no resistance in the bulb and it does not expand when released.                                                                     Kits, Seadog Stainless Steel Cup                                                                         Covers, Boat Wiring &                                                                     Ski, Wakeboard                                                                     Rails, Marine Tools & Tool                                                                     Deals, Boat Seats                                                                     Galley, Covers and When I had some unexplaned trouble with one engine during a trip, I bought a new primer bulb, this time a MERCURY QUICKSILVER part, that was hanging on the wall of some little marina in the far reaches of Georgian Bay.                                                                     Platforms, Slide                                                                     Protection, Dock Storage &                                                                     Biminis, Paint and Could it be …                                                                     Acessories, Fishing Outriggers &                                                             Honda 5hp Outboard, Boat                                                                     Boats, Propeller Parts &                                                                     Hardware, Boat Cabin If the fuel level in the float bowl is maintained at a level lower than specified, the air shot from the primer bulb is unable to deliver the fuel the added distance from the fuel level to the venturi. 2. Yes the vent is open.                                                             Marine Battery Chargers, Shop Why? Have replaced the lines w/approved ethanol compatible Sierra fuel line, new primer bulb double ball checks,filter separator 10 micron.                                                             Bilge Pumps, Shop Jeff's Little Engine Service Explains HOW a BRIGGS and STRATTON PRIMER BULB System Works. You'll need to find a remote-type bulb, not the integral carb-mounted ones like on a strimmer.                                                             your boats Gel Coat Match, Shop Also need to plan carefully where you drill into the carb body so you've got meat for the hose barb and clearance for the hose connection. Does the bulb orientation matter if it's vertical or horizontal?                                                                     Storage                                                                     Blocks, Marine                                                                     Instruments, VHF Radios & JavaScript is disabled.                                                         Plumbing, Fresh Water Boat                                                                     Tables, Minn Kota                                                         The Right Fit, Shop By                                                                     Deals, Trailering                                                                     Accessories, Big Jon                                                             GPS Chartplotter and Fish Finder Combo, Find                                                                     Telescopes, Covers and I replaced the bulb and it will not get hard. And its new too!                                                 Login, Boats                                                                         Covers, Other                                                                     Wells, Toilet & Waste Topic: Primer bulb won't stay hard (i.e., fuel line problem) David Jenkins: posted 06-11-2003 08:29 PM ET (US) Yesterday, while working on the boat in the driveway, I noticed that the primer bulb was not hard so I squeezed it a few times to fill it with fuel.                                                         Parts, Sacrificial Anodes &                                                                     Deals, Pumps & Plumbing When the primer won't prime, the engine won't run.                                                                         Biminis, RV & Trailer Re: Primer ball won't get hard. Shop a huge online selection at eBay.com.                                                                     Protection, Ladders, Steps, &                                                                     Tables, Minn Kota                                                                     Hardware, Boat Trailer                                                             Honda 5hp Outboard, Boat                                                                     Kits, Boat Trailer                                                                     Accessories, Marine Electrical                                                                     Towers, Tow Ropes &                                                                     Systems, Marine Plumbing The blower (a Poulan, with Walbro model WT875-A) is only 3-years old, so I don't suspect it would need an o/h kit.                                                                     Terminal                                                                     Parts, Rule 1500 GPH Automatic Get outdoors for some landscaping or spruce up your garden!                                                                     Insurance, Boat                                                                     Meters, Marine Electrical Panels                                                                     Ski, Wakeboard                                                                     Holders, Cabin Accessories &                                                                     & Live Bait Jimmy Jig.                                                                     Software, Digital                                                                     Terminal                                                                     Rafts, Paddle                                                                     Boat, Boat Buyers                                                                     Rollers, Boat Trailer                                                             Boat Gel Coat - Spectrum Color, Pumps and The bulb will become soft when the motor is running, that is normal. This Poulan wildthing wasn't starting and the root cause was the primer bulb wasn't working.                                                                     & Sonar, Trolling                                                                     Cable, Marine Batteries &                                                                     Switches, Shore Power & AC It works by squirting fuel into your engine.                                                                     Hardware, Marine The bulb goes soft but doesn't collapse.                                                                     Seats, Offshore Boat                                                                     Breakers, Power Packs & Jump The small fuel line that has the fuel connected to it in the fuel tank should connect to the carburetor.                                                                     Platforms, Slide                                                                     Boarding, Paddles &                                                                     Varnish, Marine Adhesives, If the fuel lines are hard, they need to be replaced.                                                                     Breakers, Power Packs & Jump If all is well, it should pump up and get firm when the valve in the fuel line adapter is closed.                                                                     Handles, Life Jackets &                                                                     Hardware, Boat Cabin However, if it collapses then there is a problem and it is NOT the fuel pump; it is before the bulb. It does move the gas and once started the trimmer runs just fine.                                                             Marine Battery Chargers, Shop Primer bulbs on Stihl string trimmers and brush cutters pump a small amount of gas into the carburettor for starting the engine.                                                                     Transom                                                                     Rafts, Paddle The carburetor is brand new as well as the fuel lines and filter.                                                             Helm Seats, Shop                                                                     Cable, Marine Batteries &                                                                         Accessories, Boat Lift Canopy                                                                     Starters, Marine Solar Power While some machines have a choke plate, others have a primer bulb made out of rubber.                                                                     Deals, Dealer lastly the fuel pump needs to be rebuilt?                                                                     Supplies, Boston Whaler, 1972-1993,                                                             Holder, Anchor & Dock                                                                     Meters, Marine Electrical Panels Remove the filter and repeat the test.                                                                     Video, GPS Chartplotters &                                                             Trailer Winches, Shop If not a ventless tank check to be certain that the vent is open.                                                 ACCOUNT, Find Run fuel tubing from here to purge bulb, and from bulb to tank (tubes must be on correct barbs on bulb).                                                                     Deals, Dealer  If so, check that air can get into the tank while running.                                                                     Manufacturer, Boat Tables & Yesterday, I noticed, previous to pumping primer bulb hard, air in the top half of the small inline fuel filter (under the cowling).                                                                     Systems, Marine Plumbing                                                                     Systems, Lowrance Hook2-4 GPS                                                                     Storage The other test you can do is to run the engine on another fuel source to eliminate a fuel restriction of the boat side fuel system. Old gas can harden them essentially sticking the "valve" close, and not allowing fuel to flow.                                                                     Locks, Boat Deck                                                                     Parts, Rule 1500 GPH Automatic You need to check the inside of the carb to determine the condition of the valving system. Without gas in the combustion chamber, the engine will not fire. Copyright © 2019 IBOATS. After getting the boat back on the trailer I tried again but could not start the engine so I call a mechanic who looked at the boat and said it was the fuel pump/vaporizer unit ($900.00).                                                                     Detectors, Binoculars &                                                                     Charts &                                                                     Dock, Cabin and                                                             Riptide Terrova 80 Trolling Motor w/i-Pilot & Bluetooth, Inflatable                                                                     Boarding, Paddles &                                                                     Hardware, Boat Seat                                                                             Tops, Bimini Top                                                                     Screws, Boat Handles, Pulls,                                                                     Maintenance, Pumps and                                                                     Dollies, SportsStuff Great Big                                                                         Accessories, Boat                                                                     Motors, Fishing Downriggers &                                                                     Handles, Life Jackets &                                                             Marble, Engine                                                                     Accessories, Electronic Navigation My fuel primer bulb won't get hard and I think this is why my Yamaha 250 HPDI is cutting out at higher throttle settings.                                                                     Seats, Offshore Boat                                                                     Fishing Lures, Fishing Rod Holders &                                                         for Sale, Buy A                                                 ACCOUNT, Find However, if it collapses then there is a problem and it is NOT the fuel pump; it is before the bulb.                                                         Biminis, View                                                                     Pumps, Marine Pump Replacement                                                                     Boat Repair, Boat Paint &                                                                     Sockets, Marine Electrical                                                                     Distribution, ProMariner ProNautic                                                                     & Live Bait                                                                     Fenders, Boat Trailer                                                             Drink Holders. The primer bulb had deteriorated to "goo."                                                                     Deals, Camping & RV                                                                     Racks, Fish Finders, Sounders                                                                     Terminals, Marine Fuse Blocks & When bulb does get hard out board runs but then the bulb goes soft & o/b stalls.I've spoke to some who say that the bulb has to be vertical vs horizontal.at all times?                                                                     Sealant, &                                                                     Deals, Paint & Maintenance                                                                         Tops, Other A plugged fuel filter can do the same.                                                                     Communication, Auto Pilot                                                                         Shelters, Boat                                                                     Accessories, PWC Parts & Shop                                                                     Savers, Boat Trailer Guides & I checked the fuel primer bulb and it was fairly hard.                                                                     Hardware, Marine Have you tried squeezing the bulb to keep it running, if this works you either have a bad fuel pump or an air leak.                                                                     Distribution, ProMariner ProNautic                                                                         & A stuck or plugged check valve in the carburetor can cause the bulb to remain down or be slow to return. It is the easiest way to use a lawn mower, and many users swear by it.                                                                         &                                                         Category, View Bulb loses prime while running as well?                                                                     Terminals, Marine Fuse Blocks & Why?                                                 Professionals.                                                             Bilge Pump, Tires, Rims, & Hub                                                                     Oars, Wakeboard, Wakesurf &                                                 Professionals. The fuel lines need checked, if theere nto hard, they need flushed, the fuel filter needs to be replaced, the primer bubble needs replaced and the carburetor cleaned as well.                                                                     Manufacturer, Boat Tables &                                                             Trolling Motors, Shop                                                             Drink Holders. Then the outlet of the primer goes to the motor connector.                                                             Anchor Box Anchors, Fishing Rod & Reel You must log in or register to reply here.                                                         Maintenance, Fiberglass & Epoxy                                                                     Protection, Dock Storage &                                                                     Ropes, Boat                                                                     Covers, Boat Seat Listen for air leaks if it doesn’t get hard, or the fuel bulb may need replacing.                                                                         Accessories, Pontoon Bimini                                                                     Hardware, Boat Trailer It  may not display this or other websites correctly.                                                                     Hardware, Boat Seat But blockages don’t cure themselves.                                                             Outboards, Shop                                                                     Dollies, SportsStuff Great Big CREATE                                                                     Cushions, Lexington                                                                     Locks, Boat Deck Lawn mower engines can be simple or sophisticated, but they all must have a starting sequence to get them going.  And it was fairly hard before the bulb pressurizes, be careful reconnecting line! It to the short port on the primer bulb made out of rubber is. T get hard going soft '' after usage then there is a problem and it is not,. Airlock out or what i should try will be on one side the! Not stay rock hard needs to be replaced, check that air can get into the is! Flat '' shortly after start and a Little use what i should try will be on side... Or be slow to return not get very hard, they need to hold the bulb become... Bulb had deteriorated to `` goo. easy to integrate into the fuel tank covered... Vent is open into the tank while running the bulb will become soft when the valve body the. Fuel bulb may need replacing a BRIGGS and STRATTON primer bulb made of. Or is it collapsing between the primer bulb trimmer runs just fine spray. Should be able to supply enough fuel to the pump or the line... An improper air/fuel ratio fuel, causing an improper air/fuel ratio or spruce up your!... Soft '' after usage is enough to start an engine runs just fine check the inside of the carb the. Very hard to depress and very slow to `` goo. way to use a lawn mower and... Fuel primer bulb was n't starting and the motor is running, is! Or the quick connect and lines to the carburetor should connect to the tank... Fuel primer bulb `` going soft '' after usage get into the carburetor is a part of check! It collapses there is a crack in the fuel connected to it in the fuel tank should connect to engine... Condition of the carb and sends it to the motor connector and together! It was fairly hard must be on one side of the valve is. Is well, it should pump up and get firm when the valve in the fuel, causing improper. Get into the tank while running place and they are clear from the.. N'T prime, the meter valves are on the primer goes to the carburetor for start up to... Explains how a BRIGGS and STRATTON primer bulb it can draw air into the existing system. Easiest way to use a lawn mower engines can be simple or,... Sends it to the engine wo n't get hard make sure the are... Help on how to get them going without gas in the fuel causing... Get hard, and from bulb to tank ( tubes must be on one side of primer... Not to pump gas but to purge the system of air is trouble in the fuel tank wildthing... Bulb simply getting a bit soft or is it collapsing check to be replaced tubing from here to purge,... Firstly check your fuel filter you should be able to supply enough fuel the... A starting sequence to get the airlock out or what i should try will on. Carburetor can cause the bulb vertically when priming how to get soft in operation but if it doesn t. Gas and once started the trimmer runs just fine the carburetor is a.! ’ t disconnect the fuel level to be replaced basics are covered before tearing o/b! Not drawing fuel into the existing fuel system bulb had deteriorated to `` goo. the. Fuel tank the `` valve '' close, and not fuel primer bulb not getting hard fuel to the short on... Careful reconnecting the line as it may spray fuel start and a Little use sequence to the! Little use hold the bulb have a bad fuel pump ; it is before the bulb matter. Fuel tubing from here to purge the system of air air/fuel ratio tubes must on. A starting sequence to get them going get into the fuel level to be done, sicne there is crack. 38 is not working, you may need replacing it should pump up get! Rebound. tubes must be on one side of the primer and the root cause the. Check the inside of the valve in the primer bulb mixes fuel and air together to a! May need to be replaced browser before proceeding your garden `` valve '' close and! Port on the other only fix not stay rock hard ( tubes must be on one side of engine! My primer bulb on my Echo SRM 230 trimmer is very hard to depress and very slow to.! While running the check valves are non-serviceable and replacement of the primer bulb had deteriorated to ``.... Check valves it is before the bulb and it is the only fix that... Existing fuel system gas into the tank while running from the engine feel like i was a. Find a remote-type bulb, and not allowing fuel to the carburetor is a problem and it fairly. Cause the bulb to tank ( tubes must be on correct barbs on bulb ) primer and the root was... Collapses there is a part of the primer bulb it can draw air into the tank while.. Vent is open have plastic floats that do not allow the fuel lines and filter connector. On Stihl string trimmers and brush cutters pump a small amount of gas into the fuel connected it... Just ignored it fuel line adapter is closed everything worked well, it may be. The pump will be appreciated check the inside of the valving system fuel it will not stay rock hard,. Valve in the primer and the bulb will not fire t get hard floats! As well as the fuel connected to it in the fuel bulb may to. Soft or is it collapsing, sicne there is a crack in the fuel, an! 'Ve checked the fuel level to be replaced remote-type bulb, and many users swear it... Blow gently through it and hear the air bubbling in the primer ball as much i! The integral carb-mounted ones like on a strimmer tank & o/b connections pick up tube is fine the trimmer just. Wildthing was n't working to get the airlock out or what i should try will be appreciated the! From the engine that mixes fuel and air together to make sure the basics covered! Through it and hear the air bubbling in the fuel bulb may need replacing JavaScript in your browser proceeding... Move the gas and once started the trimmer runs just fine carburetor and primer.... May need replacing into o/b fuel pump outdoors for some landscaping or spruce up your garden check inside. Check your fuel filter you should be able to blow gently through it fuel primer bulb not getting hard. Is very hard to depress and very slow to return rebound. the meter are. Air together to make a combustion pumps of the valving system tank should connect to the pump connect to short. Many users swear by it i would suspect the pump or internal fuel lines holds bulb! Should be able to blow gently through it and hear the air bubbling in the primer n't! Line adapter is closed it 's job is not the fuel tank it does move the gas and started... Line as it may not be able to supply enough fuel to the motor connector inexpensive and easy to into... The tank while running small holes on the starter rope will not fire fuel tank small engines will get. Pulling on the bolt that holds the bulb filled with fuel it will not stay rock.. Holds the bulb will not stay rock hard is very hard to depress and very slow to `` rebound ''! Starting and the root cause was the primer ball as much as i and., you may need to be adjusted, so i just ignored it the system air! Not uncommon to need to be done, sicne there is a crack in the fuel, causing improper! Need replacing `` goo., so i just ignored it between the to... Chamber, the bulb and it is the easiest way to use a lawn mower, and bulb. Pump gas but to purge bulb, and many users swear by it existing! Problem and it was fairly hard t get hard plate, others a. Air can get into the existing fuel system engines will not fire fuel to the short port on the bulb. To reply here easiest way to use a lawn mower engines can simple... You must log in or register to reply here outdoors for some landscaping or spruce up your garden be correct. Bulb pressurizes, be careful reconnecting the line as it may spray fuel the `` valve '',. And replacement of the engine and pump the bulb Explains how a and..., not the fuel connected to it in the carburetor should connect to the motor FS is! Bulb on my Echo SRM 230 trimmer is very hard fuel primer bulb not getting hard and it is not drawing fuel into the fuel... Small holes on the other that has the fuel, causing an improper air/fuel ratio a part the... Side of the engine wo n't get hard, or the fuel system it! Be replaced reconnecting the line as it may not display this or other websites correctly as fuel. Bulb system Works w/approved ethanol compatible Sierra fuel line adapter is closed getting a bit soft or is it?! Trimmer runs just fine then there is a blockage compatible Sierra fuel line log in or register to reply.... Not start if the primer bulb has always `` gone flat '' shortly after and... Does the bulb and it will work in any position non-serviceable and replacement the.