Fuel line problem
Moderators: Redneck_Randy, badmoonrising, lakerunner
- Ron Burgundy
- Posts: 3113
- Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 5:28 pm
- Location: New Port Richey, FL
Fuel line problem
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.
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.
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-Ron Burgundy, "Stay Classy San Diego"
2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands
The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen
2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands
The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen
- Ron Burgundy
- Posts: 3113
- Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 5:28 pm
- Location: New Port Richey, FL
Re: Fuel line problem
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.
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.
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-Ron Burgundy, "Stay Classy San Diego"
2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands
The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen
2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands
The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen
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Just Laxin
- Posts: 156
- Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2012 4:05 pm
- Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Re: Fuel line problem
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.
2012 South Bay 522 SL TT
Merc. 150 EFI Four Stroke
Merc. 150 EFI Four Stroke
- badmoonrising
- Site Admin
- Posts: 10066
- Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:04 pm
- Location: Chesapeake City, Maryland
Re: Fuel line problem
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.
Ed, Cheryl, Ethan and Aspen.
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
- Ron Burgundy
- Posts: 3113
- Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 5:28 pm
- Location: New Port Richey, FL
Re: Fuel line problem
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.
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.
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-Ron Burgundy, "Stay Classy San Diego"
2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands
The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen
2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands
The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen
Re: Fuel line problem
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.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.
2002 Sweetwater 20RE
2002 90 HP Suzuki 4-Stroke
2002 90 HP Suzuki 4-Stroke
- Ron Burgundy
- Posts: 3113
- Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 5:28 pm
- Location: New Port Richey, FL
Re: Fuel line problem
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.

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.
-Ron Burgundy, "Stay Classy San Diego"
2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands
The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen
2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands
The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen
- badmoonrising
- Site Admin
- Posts: 10066
- Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:04 pm
- Location: Chesapeake City, Maryland
Re: Fuel line problem
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.
Ed, Cheryl, Ethan and Aspen.
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
- Ron Burgundy
- Posts: 3113
- Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 5:28 pm
- Location: New Port Richey, FL
Re: Fuel line problem
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.
-Ron Burgundy, "Stay Classy San Diego"
2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands
The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen
2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands
The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen
- Ron Burgundy
- Posts: 3113
- Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 5:28 pm
- Location: New Port Richey, FL
Re: Fuel line problem
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.
-Ron Burgundy, "Stay Classy San Diego"
2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands
The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen
2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands
The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen
-
pote
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2011 11:08 am
- Location: Virginia Beach. 2008 Starcraft/115 Merc 4 banger
Re: Fuel line problem
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.
- badmoonrising
- Site Admin
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- Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:04 pm
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Re: Fuel line problem
Ice up and Fedex me some mackerel 
Ed, Cheryl, Ethan and Aspen.
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
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Just Laxin
- Posts: 156
- Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2012 4:05 pm
- Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Re: Fuel line problem
Not so fast,,,, I beat you do it,,,,,,the Mackerel comes my waybadmoonrising wrote:Ice up and Fedex me some mackerel
2012 South Bay 522 SL TT
Merc. 150 EFI Four Stroke
Merc. 150 EFI Four Stroke
- badmoonrising
- Site Admin
- Posts: 10066
- Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:04 pm
- Location: Chesapeake City, Maryland
Re: Fuel line problem
Mackerel is some fine eating, especially sashimi.
Ed, Cheryl, Ethan and Aspen.
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
-
Just Laxin
- Posts: 156
- Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2012 4:05 pm
- Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Re: Fuel line problem
badmoonrising wrote:Mackerel is some fine eating, especially sashimi.
No doubt about that! My mouth is watering just thinkin about!!
2012 South Bay 522 SL TT
Merc. 150 EFI Four Stroke
Merc. 150 EFI Four Stroke
