primer bulb?

jim phillips

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 11, 2003
Messages
504
OK, 1986 60 hp merc. <br />cleaned carbs, rebuilt fuel pump, runs great at all speeds but when in the idle zone after about 3 min. the primer bulb will go soft and the motor will die. pump the ball up firm and it will start and run for about 2 to 3 min then go soft and die<br />I opened the fuel tank to eliminate vacuum lock in the tank as a possibility with the same results. Is it the bulb?
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: primer bulb?

For what they cost, I would try the new bulb first and see how it goes. Your fuel pump is working or your bulb would not go flat. Try to get a Mercury bulb and not one of the generic ones. They are junk. Odd though it only does this at low speed. Maybe others have had this problem and can help further..
 

randycc58

Seaman
Joined
Apr 24, 2004
Messages
54
Re: primer bulb?

I had a 40 hp merc do that to me once. Here is what Did , at the advice of an old timer. First I removed the quick connect from my tank and repalced it with a barbed fitting. Removed the quick connect fitting on the hose and sealed with a hose clamp. I also removed the quick connect from the engine and the short hose to the fuel pump. took the hose to the fuel pump, and sealed with another hose clamp. never had that problem again. Reason being in my case, It would suck a little air around those fittings, used up the fuel in the line and primer bulb. under higher rpm it could overcome the air leak . but not under low rpm conditions.
 

Old Jarhead

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 26, 2003
Messages
190
Re: primer bulb?

If it's not already, place your primer bulb in the vertical position (to engine end up). There's a check valve in the bulb to keep fuel from running back to the tank. Keeping the bulb upright helps keep the valve closed and fuel in the bulb.<br /><br />At any rate, it's a good place to start. Good luck :)
 

jim phillips

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 11, 2003
Messages
504
Re: primer bulb?

replaced the bulb and it seems to be ok now <br />thanks for the input
 
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