View Full Version : gas flow problem
spongecake
07-17-2000, 07:00 PM
I have a '00 Merc 125 that stalls occasionally, usually when I'm at trolling speed or just above. I have to pump up the gas line bulb to get enough gas, then start it up. The bulb does not stay hard while running. It's got to be a gas flow problem, but it doesn't happen every time out. This problem has ocurred on the last two outings only. Can anyone tell me what I should do to isolate the problem? Thanks!
spongecake
07-17-2000, 07:38 PM
Wow, I hadn't seen the posts below about Mercs losing fuel prime. Seems like I may have the same problem.
I had to replace the bulb on my 2000 Merc 175 efi. It was losing prime at idle speed (no wake channels...). I replaced mine with an O.M.C. bulb per advise from this board and have never had a problem since.
Best Regards,
FJH
eyewinder
07-18-2000, 10:08 AM
I've noticed that as the weather has become hotter (90-plus degrees), I sometimes lose the prime on my 115 Merc. During cooler weather (April & May), the fuel line NEVER lost its prime -- is there a connection here?
This has become even more of a pain in my posterior, because the dealer that I had perform some work on my boat installed the fuel line from the filter to the motor backwards. As a result, the prime bulb is below the transom boot, and I have to take the boat apart to squeeze the bulb (remove the rear deck) .
And yes, I plan to reverse the line to bring the bulb back where it belongs (near the motor), but haven't done it yet because I don't want to take a chance on screwing it up even more.
The "mechanic" who did the work is 200-plus miles away, and the shop didn't want to do the work in the first place because they didn't sell me the boat. I guess they figured when I picked up the boat (after two months with them), that I would be so happy to have it that I wouldn't notice the primer bulb thing (I don't know whether it was intentional or not). . .they were right!
It's hard not to bash the shop (by name) here, but I'm going to resist. . .
Please excuse the rant, but you can never inspect your boat too closely when you pick it up after being work on.
I've had the same problem with my '00 115 Merc, sometimes running it at about 1/2 WOT. I always thought it might be my boat, because I have a 1800 Lund Fisherman that comes with a reserve/main fuel switch. I never have a problem when the switch is on reserve, but I do occasionally if it's on main. Now I think it might be the bulb though, because everytime it does stall, I go pump it and it is soft. Anyone else have a problem with the switch on the Fisherman?
What is this OMC bulb trick? My 00 75hp Merc is having the same woes. Sounds like Merc is having some troubles this year. I think my next one is going to be a Yamaha!
New Mercury Engine...$10,000.00
Full tank of fuel...$55.00
Oil...$10.00
A mechanic to make it work right...PRICELESS!
I just went to an Evinrude/Johnson dealer in my area and picked up one of their primer bulbs. Cut out the Merc bulb and put the O.M.C. bulb in its place. Merc had a run of bad bulbs. I was under the impression that these were limited to late '99 and early '00 motors, but after reading the Optimax thread maybe the problem existed longer than I thought. The O.M.C. primer bulb ran about $12 I think. I could have taken the rig back to my dealer (100 miles away), but I would have spent more in gas and I may have received another bad bulb in the process.
Best Regards,
FJH