Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I tried heading out to catch some Spanish Mackeral during their southern migration, but I never made it out of the canal. I was having fuel line promlems at the dock, and they continued on the way out. Boat stalled out twice form fuel starvation twice so I turned back in.

When I squeeze the fuel bulb the gas squirts out around the connection to the motor. If I push the connector tight with my hand I can get some fuel through, but as soon as I let go it just squirts out again and the bulb never stays firm.

Is this something that can be fixed by simply replacing the connector? Is there anything else that could be causing it?



Here is a photo of my fuel line. I don't think the fuel bulb is the problem, but I'm no expert. The connection is where the fuel squirts out.

I think this is my issue, but it seems so simple that I don't understand what could be going bad with them.

Anyone else have this issue? Do I need to replace BOTH parts or just the connector on the fuel line?



Thanks in advance for the tips.

From what you are saying I would just replace the black plastic connector. Since fuel comes out there it is probably sucks air in there. I ran into the same problem years ago, last time I had a outboard for any lenght of time. That's all I got.

This is a common issue, I see it all the time. O-rings in the connector are probably shot. Replace the black connector and you should be fine.

Ok, that's what I was hoping.

One question about the male connector though...


...if you look at the male connector (brass in the photo) you will see a little metal rod that extends out. It pushes in the ball on the plastic connector allowing fuel to flow through when it's connected.

That little metal rod on my connector isn't sticking straight out. It moves around in a full circle. I'm not sure if this is supposed to happen, or if it is supposed to be rigid and stick straight out all the time.


This illustrates the rod I am referring to.

Ron Burgundy wrote:Ok, that's what I was hoping.

One question about the male connector though...


...if you look at the male connector (brass in the photo) you will see a little metal rod that extends out. It pushes in the ball on the plastic connector allowing fuel to flow through when it's connected.

That little metal rod on my connector isn't sticking straight out. It moves around in a full circle. I'm not sure if this is supposed to happen, or if it is supposed to be rigid and stick straight out all the time.


This illustrates the rod I am referring to.

I won't go for the easy joke. It sounds like you may be onto something with the "rod". I'd look at another similar motor to compare. My problems have always been with the fuel lines, but it sounds like it could be on the motor end in your case.

I knew I was lobbing up an easy one talking about limp rods and male connectors.

I'll probably head down to West Marine and see what they have. I should be able to paly with some of their male connectors and rods.

Maybe a blue pill would help ? That nub is supposed to push the check ball in allowing fuel flow. If it's not, then the spring behind it may have broken.

I just picked up a new plastic female connector. I'm going to replace it and see if that works. If not then i's time for a blue pill, and a male connector.

That was it. Working now. I had to jiggle it a little, but no more squirting fuel. Idled at the dock good for a while so i might take her out for a spin. Hopefully the mackerel are still in town.

Not sure why you need the connector at all. Can you eliminate the problem and plumb it straight from the bulb to the engine with a male/male barb and 2 hose clamps? I used to use those connectors on the portable tanks but yours looks like a 20+ gallon fixed mount.

Ice up and Fedex me some mackerel

badmoonrising wrote:Ice up and Fedex me some mackerel

Not so fast,,,, I beat you do it,,,,,,the Mackerel comes my way

Mackerel is some fine eating, especially sashimi.

badmoonrising wrote:Mackerel is some fine eating, especially sashimi.

No doubt about that! My mouth is watering just thinkin about!!