Primer bulb failure

[Limey Linda]

Yesterday I could not get engine to prime. Checked all connections. Dis-connected fuel hose from filter and squeezed bulb and it puffed air out the inlet side. This bulb looked in perfect condition and I believe it was the orignal Mercury one. Installed new bulb and problem fixed. Because I suspected ethanol in the fuel to be the problem I cut the old bulb open. There is a small SS clip holding the valve diaphram in place and it had broken up so ethanol was not the problem. Think I will carry a spare bulb from now on.

[prairie tuber]

I not only carry a complete spare fuel hose, but also an extra set of end connectors since they take up so little space, yet are so critical. I've done this ever since I was briefly stranded 30 miles up a river from the closest landing because of a broken o-ring on an end connector. Fortunately there was another boat in the area with a spare hose that had compatible connectors. Being a belt & suspenders type I think I'll throw an extra bulb in as well.

[Hightower]

If you go and buy a new Bulb, don't get the Tempo ones. They're very hit and miss on the reliability side even from new I believe.

[Limey Linda]

I had heard that about Tempo. I think the one I bought was a Moeller. Also bought one of these on sale in 12 bore. Have used these before and they are very good. Also handy against Pirates.

[Searider]

I've had a Tempo fail on me.

[m chappelow]

not too sure if the flare guns are legal for us in the uk, owing to recent handgun laws ,someone will enlighten me perhaps , but theres a horrific video on youtube showing a drunk on a boat messing about with one and he shoots himself in the head , he luckly survives with a burned hair and a massive banging headache.

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by m chappelow

not too sure if the flare guns are legal for us in the uk, owing to recent handgun laws ,someone will enlighten me perhaps , but theres a horrific video on youtube showing a drunk on a boat messing about with one and he shoots himself in the head , he luckly survives with a burned hair and a massive banging headache.

Yeh, just seen that. What a £$^&, looks like he deserved it tho. You never point any type of gun at anyone unless your gonna use it. Total plonker! Hope the boat didn't catch fire.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by m chappelow

not too sure if the flare guns are legal for us in the uk, owing to recent handgun laws ,someone will enlighten me perhaps , but theres a horrific video on youtube showing a drunk on a boat messing about with one and he shoots himself in the head , he luckly survives with a burned hair and a massive banging headache.

They aren't. Even when they were it was such a pain in the arse to meet the licence requirements that it wasn't worth the bother-my father had one and I can vividly remember the argument he had with the police jobsworths about it.

It went something like:-
"where do you store it and where do you keep the ammunition?"
'On the boat in the chart table.'
"It needs to be kept in a locked cabinet and the ammunition needs to be kept separate"
'It's a flare gun. I need it to be easily accessible.'
"It needs to be kept in a locked cabinet and the ammunition needs to be locked away separately"
'How am I supposed to use it in an emergency if the ammunition is locked away separately?'
"It needs to be kept in a locked cabinet and the ammunition needs to be locked away separately".
Ad nauseam til he dumped it on the counter at the police station and said ' you deal with the damn thing then'.

[spartacus]

I know I tend to pack everything including the kitchen sink - but after recently converting to an Parker in-line filter system, I've a spare Yamaha fuel bulb anyway. Will now carry it as a matter of course.