Do I need a Primer Bulb??

[MIKE IN lINO III]

I have an OLD outboard motor I bought last year and only used it once. It has a long fuel line and no primer bulb.

It takes for ever pulling on the cord to get the gas to the motor but once it starts it runs like a champ.

The fuel is made up of two smaller hoses that are connected via rubber. I would imagine that one hose is fuel and the other is air.

Can I put a primer bulb on the gas line to rectify this problem??

Or, is the fuel line made like this by design and I would only have more problems??

Thanks,

Mike

Do they even make a primer bulb that would fit this application?

[AceintheHole]

yes a primer ball should fix this problem.

[boatfixer]

If what you have is an old Johnson or Evinrude OB, then what you have is the 2 line hose. 1 is for pressure, 1 is for fuel flow. On the tank near the connector, you should see a black button. That is your primer. I wouldn't put a primer in line. 1, you wont find one for that diameter line, 2, That system will likely not have the pressure to overcome the check valves in 2 primers-since you would be adding another.

[Minnesota Fats]

What boatfixer said...

Press the button repeatedly until it squeaks. ALso, make sure your gas cap is tight. That system works like a keg of beer does, put air pressure on top of the fuel to force it up the pickup into your tank, unlike the newer systems which suck fuel from the motor and need to be vented to open air.

[MIKE IN lINO III]

Thanks Guys,

I'll have to check the tank next time I'm at the lake.

I don't recall a button on the tank.

Mike