Primer Bulb–Reverse Flow, Losing Prime

[99yam40]

make no sense for the bulb to expand by itself unless you squeezed it and the rubber popped it back to original shape

[Jason2tpa]

make no sense for the bulb to expand by itself unless you squeezed it and the rubber popped it back to original shape

I hear ya, I do. But I'm telling you after I've primed bulb to firm, kept hand around bulb, 5-7 seconds later I'd feel the bulb expand. But not expand slowly or gradually. It felt like it took a big gulp. A noticeable expansion.

Once I felt this expansion I then squeezed bulb to assess how firm it was. It would not be firm, only half way firm. This makes no sense to me either.

[Jason2tpa]

When i next get to the boat, what I'll do is prime bulb till firm and place a handled tubing clamp on the fuel pickup line just under the tank side bulb. If I lose prime, the leak is coming from above clamp. If prime holds, its coming from below clamp. And I'm hoping its not from below clamp cause that means removing console and unsealing fuel hatch. Ugh.

[pstephens46]

The bulb would expand AFTER I've primed bulb to firm. I just kept my hand loosely around bulb. So if the engine is off, thus fuel pump is off, the bulb could not expand with fuel from tank....fuel would have to reverse flow.

With you now.

You'll find it....maybe these things should be concocted day one with a clear bulb and tubing on both sides....

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Simply pulling the bulb, try in another liquid container to see if it primes immediately and holds(doesn't leak back), is easy enough as it sounds like the primer bulb is bad.

Do you have the old bulb (if it's still good), install and check.

But, do as you wish.. Good luck..

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Any updates Jason?

[Jason2tpa]

Not yet bud. Dodging rain here in tampa has become an annoyance. Hopefully it stops shortly so I can run over to boat and perform some diagnostic tests.

[Jason2tpa]

Update-

Ran over to the boat between rain storms. Wish I could say I determined the problem. I squeezed the bulb 4-5x and it filled to firm. Of course this perplexes me even more.