Must Know Common Issues with Outboard Priming Bulbs

In this video we walk through the 3 most common problems with outboard priming bulbs.

Motor: 6HP Mercury 4 Stroke

Boating can be dangerous
Always wear your lifejacket
Never let go of the tiller when in motion
Never start your motor when in forward or reverse
Never operate while standing up
Look for hazards before starting
Don't start if you smell gas or see gas dripping from motor
Know your water, know your boats limitations
Many many more safety items to know. READ YOUR MANUAL and take a boating safety course

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Disclaimer: Use at your own risk. SAFETY FIRST! Always read your own owner's manual and service manual and understand all safety items for your specific boat, motor, and parts. I am not an expert mechanic or electrician. All of the information I share is for entertainment purposes only. Consult your boat, motor, and parts' manufacturer, owner's manuals and service manuals for expert advice. Boating and repairing/maintaining a boat motor can be dangerous. Please make sure you fully understand all risks involved so you do not get injured or worse. Once again, all content on this channel is for entertainment only. Please only attempt any of the things in these videos unless you have adequate skill, have fully read the owner's manual and service manual, and even then continue at your own discretion and risk. I am not responsible for your boat, motor, and am not responsible for keeping you safe. I am not an expert and not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. This is for entertainment only. All information in this video is provided "as is", with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information.

[danmulhern]

That was really helpful. Just changed all my fuel lines and bulb, but I could get it to prime. Watched your video and then went out and put the bulb vertical and instantly primed! Thanks

[dustinj]

thanks for your videos. Pre-preparing helps, but there's nothing like good old fashion experience out on the water lol. My bulb was sucking flat, not sure what was going on, I kept squeezing it and flooded the engine. Then I used your trick of starting on full throtle and it worked! So now I have your insight on what might be going wrong with the bulb, I suspect faulty air valve on the gas tank.

[jasongrannis]

I keep coming back to your video… boat had sat for a few years prior to me getting it. So I drained tank cleaned carbs and replaced filter. Go run it 15 minutes in bulbs flat. Replace anti syphon valve pick up tube and all new fuel lines and new pump. Tank vent is clear. Primer bulb is also new. Just went out on water and 15min in bulb is flat.

[thomastritinger]

Folks need to be aware that if you change your fuel line and install a new bulb, be sure to ensure that the bulb tips are inserted within the lumen of the liner inside the fuel line . Otherwise it can fold over and trap or impede fuel flow to the point of cutting out the engine. The larger the engine or the higher fuel demand the more the liner gets pulled away from the inside wall

[ScoutLaw]

Thanks buddy, that's how it is done.

[robbob]

WAA 😢 I h just changed mine because hard... now with the NEW primer bulb, gas goes both ways and the bulb does not fill with gas or get hard and stop...bad check valve in a new one ??? ( arrow pointing to engine)

[stevejohnson]

Great video. Should priming ball loose pressure after sitting for a day or so?
I always need to pump it back up after sitting for awhile. Maybe that's normal, please let me know what you think.
Thanks

[ONGO_]

Could this bulb be the cause of my outboard wanting to turn off at idle after a while?

[webcompanion]

Good video, nice and to the point. Now if I can just find someone with a boat :-)

[rebleanurobert]

Hello Skinny River, Is there a problem if the priming pump is punctured? Can I encounter problems with my engine?

[miketumbleson]

Hi I recently bought a lightly used 2023 Mercury 6HP. It’s running great but it dies when idling. Even when it’s been used all day. Is there a way to adjust the idle? (I’m running it with an external tank) Many thanks!

[SpinningOnTheFly]

Hi, I have brand new mercury 4hp 4 stroke and have issue that motor runs at max 2200 rpm where manual says ~4000-5000rpm. It is on inflatable boat kolibri km330dl. I followed strictly the manual for first hours of usage. Oil is level is correct. I'm using internal fuel tank and honda fuel stabiliser for the fuel. Motor starts easy no issues there. I'm masuring rpm with tachometer wrapped around on the coil part and its measuring correct as on another motor shows correct rpm. Max speed is 10kmh, with or without passengers. What could be the problem motor to run only ro 2200 rpm? Is that normal for first 20 hours of usage before changing oil ? On neutral it revs more but I dont want to rev it higher when not on gear.
Great content and videos. Thanks. :)