View Full Version : Primer Bulb collapse
I have a new 200 Suzuki(non-current)that has a fuel system problem that causes the primer bulb to collapse from 2000rpms and higher. The engine performance seems uneffected at least up to 4000rpms.I haven't run it faster as yet because it isn't broken in.I have already changed the primer bulb and checked the vent line which is clear. Anyone have any other ideas?
Brian_MN
10-11-2001, 07:05 PM
What kind of boat is it on? About the only other thing that could cause this is some sort of restriction between the bulb and the fuel pickup in your tank. Lunds have a valve to select main/reserve on the tank, and if that valve is tweaked even a tiny bit off the detent, fuel flow is cut off almost competely. Before this year the valve was down where you could bump it with your foot. Now they've moved it to the splashwell where it's much more out of harms way, definitely a good move.
1990 Tuffy Osprey. I don't believe it has any valves but I will check the pick-up line.
Some times there is no easy answer, but you can often think your way thru the problem. The lines are clear to the primer bulb or there wouldn't be enough vaccuum to collapse the bulb. Now.... Start thinking your way thru the system, from the bulb back to the tank, looking for a blockage, pinched hoses etc. Primer bulbs are a "one way flow" thing and often have a flow arrow on them. Is it installed backwards? ( thats my guess) Is it possible the whole hose was put on bacwards? The bulbs have small flaps inside that prevent the gas from flowing the wrong way. This happened to me once. Hope this helps.
The primer bulb is correctly installed.I will check for other obstuctions in the line and tank pick-up.
RANGER
10-12-2001, 11:30 AM
Rick,
Two things:
1) Bulbs have been known to come from the factory with the arrow pointing the direction but all internal parts were installed BACKWARDS. A rash of these were talked about at WC about a year ago.
2) Are the vents properly operating on your main tank? Tanks are built to breath and there might be a problem here. A quick way to check it is to loosen the filler cap when the bulb is collapsed to see it that corrects it. Best done in your yard with ear muffs on the motor. Safer that way! ;-)
Bad Finger
10-12-2001, 07:57 PM
I have to agree with Ranger. Bad bulbs "Out of the box" are not uncommon. Get a new one and splice it in. For 5 bucks you will at least rule out one possible problem.
I have had very good luck with Attwoods.
One way to check to see if the bulb was built backwards is... take it off, fill it with water and give it a good fast squeeze. If the direction of the water flow matches the direction of the arrow, the bulb was not built backwards.
Frank_N
10-14-2001, 07:23 PM
Bob, I had my fuel line partially collapse when I was running. The problem was a restriction in the fuel line. I unscrewed the barb on the tank and found my problem. It is hard to explain but when the barb was screwed into the fitting, there was barely any gap left for the fuel to go through. I cut the threaded part of the barb back so that there was more fuel flow and solved my problem.
Problem solved. Anti-syphon valve in fuel tank was creating a major flow restriction.
Bad Finger
10-15-2001, 04:58 PM
Rick - great news.
Have never had that problem. How did you get it fixed? I assume this is the same problem Ranger describes in his #2 response.
Sporto
10-18-2001, 08:54 PM
Rick,
I believe I have the same problem with the 115 Suzuki on my Sea-Ark boat. I talked to one of the riggers and he said to drill out the ball in the anti syphon valve. Is that what you did or did you replace the faulty valve?
Pitts
10-19-2001, 01:18 AM
I think Aqua man had a good solution or maybe it was T-Mac on an earlier post.
Pull the backflow preventer out and knock the ball out with a pin punch and then reinstall.
I would think this would be a good solution as long as you have a good primer bulb with checks in it that work no problem.
Pitts
Michael Toomey
10-19-2001, 10:27 PM
Help me here... these anti-siphon valves are installed for a reason. If they go bad, should they not have a correct replacement as opposed to knock out? The reason I ask is that I had one installed from the dealer backwards. It took me a wasted afternoon to figure it out and I just replaced it with a straight. But something in the back of my mind says, for USCG reg’s, it should be somewhere in the fuel line. Anyone know the rules and details?