Installed water separator but bulb struggling to prime - ?

[tony_cliffy]

OK, Installed my water separator. Pretty easy to install. Filled the filter with gas before screwing it on. When I went to pump the bulb on my fuel line I could never get a fully solid bulb - felt about 75% firm and the last 25% seemed like it was "missing" or getting air or something. I never started the engine as I was doing this in my driveway. I'm just wondering if the fuel pump on my 115 Johnson 4-stroke will be OK pulling fuel through this extra component.<br /><br />Also - I used 3/8 diameter fuel hose from NAPA. I see it says not for fuel injection applications right on the hose - and I know I have fuel injection. I'm thinking this is not an issue since I am on the vaccuum side of the fuel line and not a pressurized side of the fuel injection. Am I wrong here? I'd just get Bombadier line but do not live anywhere near my dealer.

 

[rwise]

Re: Installed water separator but bulb struggling to prime - ?

That fuel line should be fine (as long as the barbs it fits to are 3/8 as well). The fuel pump should be fine with the new part. Where (in the line) did you install it? before the bulb or after? If its before the bulb you may be pulling air at a connection.

 

[tony_cliffy]

Re: Installed water separator but bulb struggling to prime - ?

Yes, it is before the bulb (gas tank side of bulb) because the bulb is about 12 inches from the engine (it is an outboard). I simply spliced it into the fuel line below my rear deck where the fule line comes out of.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Installed water separator but bulb struggling to prime - ?

If it feels like it is getting air somewhere, it probably is. Check all of the fittings again including the screw-in barbs. Did you seal these with anything? Also did you lube the gasket on the filter before installing? Double check the inlet and outlet orientation. I installed mine in the same location as you describe and have had no problems.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Installed water separator but bulb struggling to prime - ?

I recently did the same thing and had no problems. Are you sure your bulb pumped up tight before you installed the filter? If the bulb isnt getting tight, I would suspect the emgine side of the bulb to have the leak, because when you squeeze the bulb, the valve that goes towards the tank is closed and you are preasurizing the other direction. Maybe just a bad primer bulb. If you replace, buy an OEM bulb.

 

[tony_cliffy]

Re: Installed water separator but bulb struggling to prime - ?

Yes - used plumbers pipe sealing tape on the threads of the barbs. I installed the hoses correctly. I put a little oil on the rubber seal.<br /><br />Some of the gas drained out of the hoses while I was installing this but I would think the bulb would pull through the filter and out of the tank. Darn it - what have I done wrong?

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Installed water separator but bulb struggling to prime - ?

I just went through your thread again, and I think the issue is that because you have fuel injection, you have some air in the line between you bulb and the fuel pump, you may have to bleed this off. If you had carbs, the air would have been pumped into the carbs and wouldnt be an issue.

 

[jim dozier]

Re: Installed water separator but bulb struggling to prime - ?

I agree with Lubedube. If you have air in the line on the filter (side such as would occur after a filter change) it is hard for the small fuel bulb to prime itself. This is because there is proportionately more air in the filter than the fuel bulb and the vacuum created is relatively small. Once the filter is filled with fuel and the air in the lines is small or nonexistent the small fuel bulb can prime itself better. Although not always necessary, it is best if you have the option of putting the filter on the engine side of the bulb because it is easier for the bulb to push fuel than it is to suck fuel.<br /><br />Once you get the air out of the filter I believe you will be able to prime the bulb. If not move the filter to the other side of the bulb (or move the bulb).<br /><br />Also you may notice that fuel bulbs work better in the vertical rather than horizontal position. The vertical position helps the check valves seat.

 

[tony_cliffy]

Re: Installed water separator but bulb struggling to prime - ?

So I should depress the little brass ball (or whatever it is) visible inside the engine connection thing and try to pump the air out this way?

 

[Bass Runner]

Re: Installed water separator but bulb struggling to prime - ?

Put it in the water and run it with the line unhooked then hook it up and it will get rid of the air through the carbs once you get all the air out the bulb will get hard. air compresses eiser that gas. or just take the engine connector off the hose and pump the air out with the hose in a jug or your gas tank then put the connector back on that should solve your problem.

 

[peterbo3]

Re: Installed water separator but bulb struggling to prime - ?

Hi Tony,<br />I also have a Johnnysu but the 90 HP. I repowered about three months ago & have both a large capacity water separator & a Racor filter/separator on the fuel line after the bulb. After dealer installation I took it for a run & found that the bulb did not get hard as did my bulb on the previous 75 Mariner 2 St. Dealer said that is the way it is & not to worry. I am not a tech but the motor starts first turn of the key every time & runs like a dream. Maybe that is the way it is. <br />Regards,<br />Peter

 

[jim dozier]

Re: Installed water separator but bulb struggling to prime - ?

It would probably help to have a full gas tank and tilt the front of the boat up (if its in the driveway) as much as possible. I believe that once you get the bubl primed you won't have this problem. If you have no luck pull the bulb off and fill the line and filter with gas from a funnel at the bulb end.

 

[GeeFrankk]

Re: Installed water separator but bulb struggling to prime - ?

Hey guys, had the same problem, bulb never got tight, but she runs great. As long as it pulls a vaccum, who cares that it doesn't get tight. 90hp Johnson/vro 1988

 

[JRJ]

Re: Installed water separator but bulb struggling to prime - ?

I also have a 115 Johnson/Suzi. Your bulb may not pump horizontially. Hold upright with the arrow up^ and try it. This should get fuel to the motor. The bulb will not stay as hard as with a 2-stroke but doesn't matter. 122 hrs. on my motor and love it. Good luck