Hard Starting

[Fireman431]

2003 Johnson 150 Bombardier

Why should I constantly have to pump the fuel pressure bulb on a daily basis to start this engine. If I go to the local island for a day, I have to reprime the bulb to get the engine to fire. When it sit overnight, reprime the bulb to get it to start. Stop at a resturant on the water for a copule of hours...you get the idea. I have never had to do this on an engine before.

Before the questions, here are a few answers:

1) Yes, it has an electric choke and I know how to use it.
2) New fuel/water seperator installed...same problem.
3) New fuel hoses (double clamped)...same problem.
4) New primer bulb...same problem
5) No fuel odor anywhere...even the bilge
6) Carbs were just checked (especially the floats)...all are within specs.

Any other thoughts?

 

[USN72]

Re: Hard Starting

I had the same problem and it was my fuel pump diaphram.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Hard Starting

What type of bulb was used. Non OEM bulbs can act up.

 

[kynolan2183]

Re: Hard Starting

I had the same problem twice before and I found that the pump bulb was a poor quality one (wally word special).

The valve in it was a very cheap plastic ball that actually floated in gas.

Well everything was ok when the pump bulb was angled downward with the end going to the engine pointing down but when it would lay flat it would loose pressure by draining slowly back into the tank.

Solution:
Mounted it where the ball floats up to seal when not in use over time.


Second time it was the connection at the engine leaked a little air.
That let in the air and ended the vacuum which allowed the gas to drain back to the tank.

Both were pains to figure out.

Kyle