help! have to pump primer ball to keep motor running?

[Breu18061]

Hey everyone i have a 1980 25 h.p johnson that always has been a good runner. I went to the lake today and the motor started and idled but when i increase the throttle it acts like its starving for gas and sometimes kills. I found out after tooling around that if i kept pumping the fuel ball it would runand idle just fine. Can anyone out there help? any input appreciated thanks

[Ufatz]

Sounds like a simple fix to me: you have a small air leak in your fuel hose or a fitting. If hose is as old as motor it should not come as a surprise. It could be some other things too, but check all above first.

Disclaimer: I am not now nor have I ever been a card-carrying, certified, outboard motor mechanic.

But I HAVE been around a lot of fuel lines!!

[sjc]

sounds like there is a leak in the fuel system that is preventing the fuel pump from functioning it could be bad fuel lines or a bad fuel pump diaphram. also check that the fuel line is secure at both the tank and the engine

[Gadgetman]

Just had similar problem with 25 horse merc - carb kit solved it

[boatfixer]

sounds like there is a leak in the fuel system that is preventing the fuel pump from functioning it could be bad fuel lines or a bad fuel pump diaphram. also check that the fuel line is secure at both the tank and the engine

I agree.

Anytime you have to pump it to keep it going, you are basically taking the place of the fuel pump.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I'd start by replacing your primer bulb and lines and checking that your fittings are tight. I had a similar situation last year and nearly everyone thought it was my fuel pump. Put in a new bulb before I tore into the fuel pump, and it solved the issue.