Engine 1998 250 merc EFI (pair of them).
>>>>Background. I needed to replace the high-pressure pumps in both motors (applied voltage to pumps and nothing). Boat sat for awhile after hurricane Ian.
I replaced port motor high pressure/VST pump (to quantum) and now runs on trailer/muffs -perfect-.
Replaced starboard high press pump in VST same procedure as above on port.
>>>>>Pictures: "Zoom out" pic show area of motor of interest. The close ups are just past throttle linkage behind VST. Port pic show wet/fuel at arrow. Starbord show dry area at same location as port.
>>>>>PROBLEM: After installation of quantum pump on starboard motor and put everything/VST back together as port motor, I squeezed up the primer bulb to get some fuel in the vst. After a handful of squeezes of primer bulb I noticed strong fuel smell. It turns out fuel is pushing out at the location shown in the photo. Everytime I squeeze the primer bulb I get a tablespoon or so of fuel at the red arrow port pic. So much fuel poured out it somewhat filled the mid fairing of the engine with fuel before i noticed (I removed the fuel in the fairing obviously).
>>>Observation: Typically, I can just squeeze the primer bulb till it gets firm/hard and I stop. However, this time the primer bulb never got fully hard but bulb did get firm but again fuel would pour out everytime I squeezed the primer bulb. For refernce I took a pic of the starboard side of the same area as the port showing totally dry (no fuel).
++++Question 1: Did I install the pump or reassemble the VST incorrectly to create this problem?
++++Question 2: What are next steps? Take VST apart and look for something…look for what? I was successful with the port and did the exact same procedure but perhaps I missed something.
Apologies for the somewhat wordy message but I am trying to be super clear.
Thanks thanks thanks for any help!! My mechanic wanted over a $1000 each motor and 3 weeks to replace high press pumps. So I appreciate any help more than words...