I just replaced the bulb and hose ends on my OB fuel line. I went down to the boat last week to straighten and clean it up for the season (it's been a late start this year in MI) and while putzin' around I usually start the motor and let it run awhile to make sure it's working right. Started her up, about 1/3 throttle while she warms up with the choke on. Pushed in the choke and found it wouldn't idle, would only run with the throttle up. After playing with the thing trying to get it to run right for a time it finally struck me that it could be sucking air somewhere (I know, I'm can be a little 'distracted' at times). Sure enough, I found cracks in the squeeze bulb and a loose hose fitting on the tank end. No problem, I'll just use the spare fuel hose that I made up a couple of years ago for just such an occasion. No good. The bulb wasn't pulling gas from the tank. Dang, my spare didn't work either. What good was it? So that's why I replaced the bulb and hose ends on my fuel line- and the spare.
I've found that one good summer is about all I can expect from a squeeze bulb. They develop cracks from I suppose the UV from the sun and maybe as some have suggested from the ethanol in the gas.
The gist of all of this is please check your fuel line each spring. Sometimes the cracks might not show up in the fall. I'm glad it happened to me at the dock and not out on the water. It's 'cheap insurance' to just replace that darned bulb every year. Oh, and make sure your spare works also.
I've found that one good summer is about all I can expect from a squeeze bulb. They develop cracks from I suppose the UV from the sun and maybe as some have suggested from the ethanol in the gas.
The gist of all of this is please check your fuel line each spring. Sometimes the cracks might not show up in the fall. I'm glad it happened to me at the dock and not out on the water. It's 'cheap insurance' to just replace that darned bulb every year. Oh, and make sure your spare works also.
