Motor runs better with fuel primer disconnected.

[surrender]

Ok so yesterday I was going from the ramp to a dock to get some bait and while waiting on my buddy at the dock i noticed a drip coming from under the powerhead. I popped the cowl and saw a fuel leak from around the plastic fuel manifold. Motor is a 1996 88 Special V-4. So I though it was from the bottom hose going to the bottom carb. Tried putting a new tie wrap on it and then saw that the leak was from up higher on the manifold. It was coming from the barb going to the hose suppling the primer. In my effort to try and get the hose off and redo it the barb broke off. So to limp back to the ramp I plugged the hose to the primer and used electrical tape, alot of it, to wrap the manifold where the barb once was. No leaks!. Went ahead and ran down the waterway and rechecked. no leaks. Decided to run a while and boat ran better then ever at all speeds. Idled much better then ever. Could I have had a leak for a while, or was air being sucked in maybe?

So now I will get a new manifold so I have use of the primer. Could the primer be leaking fuel into the carb while underway screwing up things? Motor runs great with it out of the loop.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Motor runs better with fuel primer disconnected.

If any air gets sucked into the line you plugged you might have a higher rpm because of a leaner fuel /air mix,but you are probably right about fuel seeping through the primer.Replace the primer and you will know for sure.

 

[surrender]

Re: Motor runs better with fuel primer disconnected.

Motor ran better but rpms at WOT throttle didnt go up. But I get what your saying about a lean condition, I dont plan on leaving it as is. I think what I'll do is replace the broken manifold and hook the primer back up. then I'll run it but Ill pinch off the two hoses coming of the prime that go to the carbs. If it runs good it will look like the primer is faulty. All the hoses are new this year so I think I'am good there.