Check your primer bulbs

[Pikey Dave]

2 yr old primer bulb kaput, genuine Suzuki part.

[jwalker]

Being Yorks, you could superglue that back together....

[diver 1]

I (and many other) blame the ever-increasing ethanol content of petrol.

Quicksilver brand fuel hoses on my aux fuel tank failed - the inside of the hose went brittle and cracked causing lots of small bits of plastic type material to work down the fuel line and block the ball valve in the quick release coupler.

I'm also fairly sure that some of the main brand fuel filter many of us use have internal rubber O rings that aren't compatible with ethanol in petrol either - I'm currently testing a second filter to verify this. The failure on these occurs when the rubber O ring expands and becomes more like neoprene in nature then disintegrates and clogs the filter. No external leak and nothing visible until the engine stops due to fuel starvation.

I plan to check everything rubber based on the fuel system thoroughly and regularly from now on

[Max...]

I'd never use that QS/Merc/Mariner stuff with the plastic liner - horrible crackly crumbly cr@p. Not sure it's ethanol or just not up to the job - replaced mine with regular marine standard fuel hose.

[Pikey Dave]

It isn't the rubber that's perished, I've put the knife through the bulb to open it up. It's the little one way valve that's fallen apart in the bottom that's the problem.

[Fenlander]

My Suzuki primer as supplied with my new 20hp failed after just a few outings.... mine was the valve failing... it was never brilliant from new TBH.

To offer a flipside to Max's view I replaced it with a Quicksilver primer and hose... of which I've had many inc over 15yrs old with no problems. I do check the bore now and again though plus carry a spare plain rubber hose/primer.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by jwalker

Being Yorks, you could superglue that back together....

I hadn't thought about superglue, but I reckon this should be good for a couple o' seasons

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I hadn't thought about superglue, but I reckon this should be good for a couple o' seasons
Attachment 124402

Hehe... That's the way to do it!

[charliee]

A good reminder, I changed mine yesterday as it looked a bit perished and felt a bit brittle.

[diver 1]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

It isn't the rubber that's perished, I've put the knife through the bulb to open it up. It's the little one way valve that's fallen apart in the bottom that's the problem.

Fair one, I didn't open / study your pics, but I can see that clearly now I have

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I hadn't thought about superglue, but I reckon this should be good for a couple o' seasons
Attachment 124402

Wont work needs tie wraps!

[Yabadabadoo]

So that’s a problem, what’s the solution? Can’t change the fuel and QS/merc/mariner/Suzuki have a bad reputation in this thread?

Mine blocked then unblocked last year poss just some gunk, both in safe enough locations. Would like to buy a replacement and spare in case I’m not so fortunate if there’s a next time, assumed the mentioned brands would be fit for purpose?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Yabadabadoo

So that’s a problem, what’s the solution? Can’t change the fuel and QS/merc/mariner/Suzuki have a bad reputation in this thread?

Mine blocked then unblocked last year poss just some gunk, both in safe enough locations. Would like to buy a replacement and spare in case I’m not so fortunate if there’s a next time, assumed the mentioned brands would be fit for purpose?

My last boat had Evinrude engines & they specify 3/8 fuel line rather than the usual 5/16, never had a problem in 8 years. The 3/8 primer bulbs were very "substantial"

[Xk59D]

Suzuki one on mine, 5 years old now but will check it out.

wouldn't surprise me if they all came from same factory with a different brand on it.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

Suzuki one on mine, 5 years old now but will check it out.

wouldn't surprise me if they all came from same factory with a different brand on it.

Mine doesn't actually say Suzuki on it, neither do the 2 genuine Suzuki replacements I bought. The packaging is Suzuki, but that's all.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Just changed my Suzuki one out too it had got that hard I couldn't prime

[Bushrider]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

My last boat had Evinrude engines & they specify 3/8 fuel line rather than the usual 5/16, never had a problem in 8 years. The 3/8 primer bulbs were very "substantial"

BTW - for the new G2 ETECs Evinrude recommend to run the fuel hose directly to the motor without primer bulb .

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Bushrider

BTW - for the new G2 ETECs Evinrude recommend to run the fuel hose directly to the motor without primer bulb .

The G2 must have a self priming lift pump or some means of priming it then.

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

The G2 must have a self priming lift pump or some means of priming it then.

Dave that's the beauty of the new Merc 150 ........no primer bulb!!

[Xk59D]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Mine doesn't actually say Suzuki on it, neither do the 2 genuine Suzuki replacements I bought. The packaging is Suzuki, but that's all.

Probably lending credence to they don't actually make them. I mean suzuki don't make their gauges never mind fuel bulbs.

I just checked my yamaha one, doesnt have a name on it either, maybe a bit of a lottery if you get a good un or not. I'll check the name on the one on the boat but I assume ribcraft fit what comes with the motor kits.

I've had a couple fail through the years, I think they were quicksilver and uv or drying out probably done them to be fair sitting on moorings.

https://www.alibaba.com/product-deta...18a21c37WenZE7

Loads of them on alibaba so may be worth trying a different brand or if any makers actually make their own.