Nope... if all the easy external stuff doesn't work you'll need to remove the carb from the motor, take it apart and clean out all the passages.

In the future, if you suspect the motor will be sitting for more than a couple of weeks, be sure to run fuel stabilizer through the motor prior to leaving it sit. It should help you avoid issues like this.

marine_man

"In the future, if you suspect the motor will be sitting for more than a couple of weeks, be sure to run fuel stabilizer through the motor prior to leaving it sit. It should help you avoid issues like this."
Or! As instructed by my mechanic after he got done cleaning the nasty gunk out of the carbs of a boat i had just bought. Run sea foam in the gas all the time. Stabilizes the fuel and helps clean the carbs too.

Yep, that works too, Del!

marine_man

I suspect all new lines should resolve the issue if it's leaking when primed. We had the same issue with out 85' 20hp Merc.

If you have not yet replaced it (as mentioned) get a new fuel filter and o-ring. It's very simple to change and will only take a couple min. Also inspect the fuel lines going to and from the fuel filter for any cracks/leaks.

One other thing to check is the fuel line that goes in the tank itself. Had that problems may years back. The line in the tank had rotted off only allowing gas to the carbs when the tank was completely full. And easy fix if that happens to be the issue. If you have access to a different tank or want to pull the fuel level indicator and check.

Just a thought.

Mike

Today I out her in the water and tried to start it up. Well now it will not start for more then a second. Well when I prime the motor the basket fuel filter does not fill and the primer ball nefver gets hard. I wonder if this means I need to replace the fuel line or the diaphram style fuel pump. WHEN I SQUEEZE THE BALL IT SOUNDS LIKE AIR IS THE ONLY THING MOVING THROUGH THE LINE.

I have not checked the whole thread , but make sure the bulb is pointing up. Arrow up , it does make a difference in the bulb firming up.

It sounds like your primer bulb is shot, or you have a hole in you fuel line between the gas in the tank and the primer bulb.

What you can do is unhook the fuel connector fitting on the hose and push something against the little ball in the connector and squeeze the primer bulb. If you're not getting gas coming out the end it's definitely a air leak.

marine_man

I have norrowed down my problem on my mercury 25 HP motor to being a matter of fuel not being delivered. I can pump the primer bulb till the cows come home and it never firms up, nor does the basket type fuel filter fill up barely at all. I am starting by inspecting the fuel line, probably replacing it, then looking to see if the fuel pump diagphram is ruptered. Any advice on what else it could be.

fuel line or dip tube in the tank could be broken or leaking.

Did you see my post right above yours on here, from Saturday morning?

marine_man

I just read it and went out in the garage pushed in the thing on the connector that fits to the motor. Had the wife squeeze the ball while I depressed the button/ball. No fuel came out just a bit of air that smelled like gas. Do I replace the whole line or just the primer ball. I called the local marine store and they said they have the lines and attachments....do I need to replace the attachments also?

Do you by chance have another tank you could try it on?

You must have a air leak / hole somewhere between the primer bulb and the gas it's trying to pickup...

If your fuel hose is a bit stiff I'd replace the whole works.

marine_man

OK I FIGURED IT OUT. I replaced the fuel line, wal-mart had a universal one. the fittings were not in stock so I used the old ones. I hooked it up and there was still nothing happening. I I unsrewed to little panel where the fuel guage and quick connect are located. I unscrewed all six screw and removed it to see that the diptube was not attached. I emptied the gas into an empty gas can, fished the tube out, trimmed the damged 1/8" off and reattached it with the existing clamp. Primed it and the primer got rock hard right away and the motor turned right on over. I ran it on the earmuffs for 10 minutes and it did not die once. I do need a new tank but for now this will do. I am going to try to get a new tank in the next couple days. And i am glad I replaced the old hose, it was probably 15 years old and would barely flex.

Glad to hear it... nice work!

marine_man