primer bulb no more

[james1968bass]

I found this on another forum.haven`t tried it yet,but it sounds good.
We all remember the times we've launched our boats without work'n that damm primer bulb first, obviously it was a no start situation and a little embarrassing to say the least if the ramp was crowded.

Here's away to totally do away with that bulb, ya, I said totally !

This mod applies to FI or Carb motors:

Go down to your local NAPA store and pick up a Facet Posi-Flo Fuel Pump, Part #60104, PSI Max. 4.0 to 1.5 Min. at 25 GPH, cost about $45.
This is a 12V pump, comes with fittings and mounting tabs and filter as well.
1. Remove your current primer bulb.
2. Splice in a section of hose where the bulb was or replace the entire line length with new.

This is from experience:
This is a good time to check that your fuel line is not chaffed, nicked, cut, pinched or just plain worn out. (Mine was chaffed about 1/8" deep from rubbing on the lower pan snout.)

3. Install the new electric pump with it's enclosed filter in the battery compartment per the instructions that came with the pump.
4. Secure the pump to something solid of your choosing. Ensure no hose rub is present when you secure it.
5. Run the ground wire to the "NEG" post of your cranking battery.
6. Run the positive wire up to the engine or under your dash.
7. Locate a power supply (12V) that turns on when you turn the ignition key to the "ON" position and back off in the "OFF" position. Attach the positve wire to this source. If using a splice and butt connector method when tapping into another wire, make sure you apply "DIE-ELECTRIC" grease to the inside of the butt connector prior to crimping the wire in place. This will ensure that no corrosion takes place and it remains water proof.

WAAAA-LAAAAA your done, never to fondle that bulb again (unless that sort of thing does something for ya.)

To support this mod I can tell you that I've had the same pump in my rig since 2006. When I had a Merc XR6 (carb motor)and now with my Merc 225X P/Max FI motor, "NO ISSUES AT ALL AND NOTHING TO REMEMBER BEFORE LAUNCH", hit the key and see ya !!!!!!!!!!
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[ELGIN]

I think I would read why most companies don't put electric fuel pumps in the battery compartment of boats with out following some very important safety precautions, its against Coast Guard Regulations to just bolt a pump in.

[SEAHORSE]

Besides being a non-approved pump for marine use, it is also a good way to blow up your motor, or at least damage a piston or two. When the motor is running, it has to draw fuel up through the non-running pump and that adds a restriction (excessive vacuum) to the fuel system.

I can't say that every pump will do that, but the one's I've seen that folks tried to eliminate the primer ball, add a significant restriction to the plumbing and that can damage engines by running way too lean.

[Ranger 85]

I have an auto repair backround but wouldn't the pressure from the electric pump cause some problem to the engine fuel pump !!! I don't think it was disigned to have pressure coming to it even only 4lbs is alot. If your doing this would you also want to bypass the mechanical pump all together ? Seems like that would cause more problems and then you have the VRO to deal with. Sounds like a bad idea to me and I wouldn't take a chance with this modification. I think I would sooner take the ribs at the launch or just remember to prime before you launch. !!!

[ChampioNman]

Notice he said it was on a merc so who really cares!!

[packfan]

I have chimed in on this before... I did about the same thing to my johnson 110 when the VRO needed to be replaced (the oil mix was disabled when I bought the boat and the VRO got to the point it did not have enough pressure to keep fuel up to par aftr about 3500 RPM's

Now I did this on a boat that I got for 1800 bucks so I was willing to take the chance.

I did 2 things diff. I did not wire the pump to the ignition, I put a switch next to the ignition and I got rid of the VRO altogether so mine does not run thru another "bad" fuel pump.

When I idle slowly I turn the pump off and on to ensure I don't over pressurize the system and before I cut the motor of (whether fishing or at the ramp) I cut the pump of a few seconds before the motor... again to keep unnecessary pressure off the system.

I did rebuild the carbs first to ensure the float and valve were in good working order.

I have been like this for almost a year now and probably 50+ trips with it like this. and no problems.

I do have mine mounted in the area with the fuel tank (I.E. not coast guard approved).

I guess it increases my chances of a fire but I am not sure how much. My greatest fear of fire in my boat would come from a battery blowing up... I have had car batteries do it. Most boats also have circuit breakers in the same compartment as the gas tank... Ever watched a 30amp circuit break pop in the dark? It is a nice blue spark.

Again guys I am not saying this will not cause some issue sometime but for the 1800 buck I have in the boat an almost $400 VRO just did not seem to make sense.

I have said it many times to my wife.... If the boat were to sink tomorrow I have gotten my money out of it.