Fuel Problem I think

[Aquaholictomc]

I have a 1988 50 HP Yamaha on a 15 foot bowrider. I was out yesterday and had a problem with the engine. I beached it and found that when I checked it the fuel was not geting to the gas filter. I checked the gas line from the tank after the ball and that was working fine when I depressed the little ball. I figured out that the fuel pipe joint was not working correctly. I bypassed it and connected the fuel line directly to the fuel filter connection. On my way back home the engine ran perfecly for a few minutes and then bogged down to about 1500 rpm. I made it home very slowly and because of the weather couldn't check much further other then to notice when I got in I found the fuel ball was not hard and when I pumped it up the engine RPM's increased.
I just ordered a new fuel pipe joint, which I know I need but my question is, will the engine run OK without the fuel pipe joint, with it's built in check valve?

[boats.net]

It will run ok with connecting fuel hose direct to fuel filter, may have bad fuel pump or fuel hoses and possible air leaks in hose connections or in fuel filter, check o-ring.

[Aquaholictomc]

50 hp carb problem

Thanks for your response.

Ran a compression check, which came out good but I can only get about 2000 rpm's out of engine when I run it.

I have spark at all three cylinders but when I put my hand over carb intake I can stall engine on cylinders 1 & 2, which is normal. When I try to stall the engine on the lower carb, I have suction and you can see the fuel but I can't stall engine.
I can put my hand completely over the carb and it still keeps running. I'll pull off the carb tonight although I did rebuild all three carbs earlier this year.

Does anyone have any other idea's??