Fuel Primer Bulb

[Wightdiver]

One of my jobs this winter was to try and tidy up the cables at the rear of the boat, managed it with some success.

The most difficult bit was trying to make the fuel pipe with the primer bulb in it look tidy. It then occurred to me that I might not need the bulb, as I have never used it? I have an inboard, fuel tank which is permanently connected to the engine.

I can understand the need with detachable tanks but are they really needed on a modern, large HP installation?

What are your thoughts?

Andy

[Pikey Dave]

Yes you need one, not least because they act as a one way valve to stop the fuel in the line draining back to the tank, in which case you'd need an err primer bulb. What happens if you run out of fuel (it happens apparently&#128527 & need to prime the system. Mine's under the console out of the way.

[Wightdiver]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Yes you need one, not least because they act as a one way valve to stop the fuel in the line draining back to the tank, in which case you'd need an err primer bulb. What happens if you run out of fuel (it happens apparently��) & need to prime the system. Mine's under the console out of the way.

Thanks Dave

Rather embarrassingly I did run out of fuel last year (don't ask!!). Refilled the tank and cranked it over on the key and it sorted its self out. I like the idea of having it inside the console but it would leave the bulb the wrong side of the filter for me. Is there such a thing as a small in line, non return valve?

Thanks

[Pikey Dave]

Doesn't matter which side of the filter it is. I prefer it before the filter close to the tank.

[A1an]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Doesn't matter which side of the filter it is. I prefer it before the filter close to the tank.

I have rigged mine the same although the installation destructions for the water separator say the bulb MUST be the engine side of the filter. It's never caused an issue, I used the primer bulb when I first fitted the engine and I've never used it again.

That reminds me, I need to replace the bulb due to the rubber going all soft and waffy, I thought it was a decent one when I bought it but its obviously made of poor quality rubber.

[Last Tango]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Doesn't matter which side of the filter it is. I prefer it before the filter close to the tank.

+1.....that way it can be used to prime the filter when you change it. They "blow" much better than they "suck".

Wouldn't advise running out of fuel. If the engine is going hard when that happens there is a risk of it "leaning" out before it actually stops and could potentially do some serious damage.

[office888]

Eliminate the primer bulb.

Parker-Racor has a filter base with an integrated primer bulb in the body of it.

[Wightdiver]

Originally Posted by office888

Eliminate the primer bulb.

Parker-Racor has a filter base with an integrated primer bulb in the body of it.

That sounds interesting, do you have any more details?

[office888]

Originally Posted by Wightdiver

That sounds interesting, do you have any more details?

Racor Spin-On Fuel Filter / Water Separator Assembly - Clear Bowl

Racor 490R-RAC-01

I use one with the 2 micron element and a vac gauge.

I use 0% ethanol fuel and still have to spill off about 50-100 ml of water every 15 hours or so!

[Wightdiver]

Originally Posted by office888

Racor Spin-On Fuel Filter / Water Separator Assembly - Clear Bowl

Racor 490R-RAC-01

I use one with the 2 micron element and a vac gauge.

I use 0% ethanol fuel and still have to spill off about 50-100 ml of water every 15 hours or so!

Thanks, not seen one of those before looks interesting and far better than a separate bulb. Looks like I will be changing my filter/separator next year.

Andy

[Hightower]

Quite common to see primers on filters in the motor industry. Not so common are clear bowl separators.

BTW the reason that manufacturers recommend that the primer should be mounted on the filtered side is because if mounted before the filter debris and crap can damage and block the one way valve mechanism.

[Wightdiver]

Originally Posted by Hightower

Quite common to see primers on filters in the motor industry. Not so common are clear bowl separators.

BTW the reason that manufacturers recommend that the primer should be mounted on the filtered side is because if mounted before the filter debris and crap can damage and block the one way valve mechanism.

Thanks Andy, makes sense. I must be lucky, put in about 50 hours last year and not a trace of water or debris in the filter.

Andy

[Hightower]

I found all sorts in the first few years. Washers and fibreglass lol.

[jyasaki]

Interesting. Never seen that before. On my boat that setup would be useless, as the filter is mounted under the transom cap (aluminum transom) where you can't easily get at the bracket. Would be great for a normal transom mount though.

Only problem I see is that the bracket is aluminum. The aluminum bracket in my boat lasted about a season before all the paint fell off and the metal turned to a nice splotchy coat of aluminum oxide. Found a stainless bracket, and gave the aluminum one to a friend.

jky

[Wightdiver]

Originally Posted by Hightower

I found all sorts in the first few years. Washers and fibreglass lol.

Bet you didn't find any money!!