Replacing the primer bulb with...

[Marcq]

Guys, what kind of a electrical device do I need to replace my primer bulb ? You know something that I wouldn't  have to squeeze  that bulb all the time when I first star my outboard

Marc..

[GoneFission]

You don't need a device; you need to fix the air leak or choke/cold start.  Check the clamps on your primer bulb and gas line connections.  The engine fuel pump will suck air before it sucks gas, so if you have a loose clamp the engine will have trouble starting, and may not want to run long at wide open throttle (WOT).  

You should be able to squeeze the bulb a few times to fill up the carbs, then the bulb should be "hard" and you should not be able to squeeze it much more for a few minutes.  Listen to the bulb to detect whether it's pulling air with the fuel.  If it is, check the hoses and clamps between the bulb and the tank.  

Once the carbs are full, the engine should start and run well.  If you have to squeeze the bulb to keep the engine running, you probably have:
1.  The choke/fuel enrichment is not working - you do use this when starting, right?  
2.  Idle is set too lean - be careful if you try to adjust it yourself and you have several carbs - not quite as easy as you might think!  BTW - it's better to have the idle too rich than too lean - remember the gas/oil mixture lubricates the engine as well.  The engine starts and runs better a little rich and a little smoke is better than scored cylinder walls.    
3.  Clogged fuel filter or loose gas lines - see above.  
4.  Defective fuel pump - but unlikely if it runs OK when warm...  

Hope this helps - good luck!

[Marcq]

Oops   , sorry for not makink my self more clear, I have no problem starting my engine, just looking for something to replace that primer bulb , guess I'm just getting lazy going in the back of my boat to squeeze that bulb when I first go out on the water. Saw a guy the other day with a Bayliner that has a outboard with a L drive,( looks like a inboard) and he never has to prime that bulb(don't think he has one) I asked him about it but he had no clue what I was talking about, he just turns the key and the engine starts

Marc..

[GoneFission]

If you run the boat regularly and keep the carbs full of fuel, you don't have to use the primer bulb.  It is there to fill the carburetor bowls.  If the bowls have fuel in them the engine will start just fine without using the bulb.  

Your friend's boat is probably fuel injected instead of carbureted.  Engines with fuel injection usually don't need one because they don't have carb bowls to fill - the fuel injection pump pulls right off the fuel line.    

[Marcq]

Your friend's boat is probably fuel injected instead of carbureted.  Engines with fuel injection usually don't need one because they don't have carb bowls to fill - the fuel injection pump pulls right off the fuel line.    

Ha, that makes sense
Thanks, Marc..

[gw204]

My Grady uses two electiric primer pumps that are connected to a mom on/off switch at the helm.  Check on Ebay and on www.greatgrady.com for them.  People occasionally get rid of them.

[Marcq]

My Grady uses two electiric primer pumps that are connected to a mom on/off switch at the helm.  Check on Ebay and on www.greatgrady.com for them.  People occasionally get rid of them.

Ha thanks for the link, wasn't sure how to call them(electric primer pumps), so looks like I'm not the only lazy one out there :)

Marc..