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collapsed bulb fuel line
gcanbos	#1  Posted on 04/22/14 - 1:30 PM
Member Posts: 20 Comments: 0 Joined: 04/22/14	...I live in RI, My 2004 13' SS with it's 40 hp engine didn't have any power. I brought it to a marina yesterday to have it checked out. They have told me the bulb fuel line deteriorated and collapsed causing fuel line particles to clog the carburetor, which will cost me $1000.00 to repair(clean and rebuild the carb). Has anyone ever experience this??? Or know of this condition? I purchased the boat in 2008 but I would guess that this is the original fuel line. Geoffrey
Blackduck	#2  Posted on 04/22/14 - 1:36 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 519 Comments: 0 Joined: 02/25/06	All I know is that $1000 is a crazy, high, price to rebuild one carb- Walter Reynolds 1973 Boston Whaler 16 Nauset 90 HP Yamaha
gcanbos	#3  Posted on 04/22/14 - 1:38 PM
Member Posts: 20 Comments: 0 Joined: 04/22/14	...well actually a 2004 Mercury 40 hp elpto engine has three carburetors, one for each cylinder.
Phil T	#4  Posted on 04/22/14 - 3:35 PM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 7043 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	You are not the only member to report issues with fuel line or fuel bulbs deteriorating and clogging the carbs. The debris may have been from a non-OEM or high quality bulb. They range in price from $15 to $50. The consensus is to avoid aftermarket brands of primer bulbs. Any engine brand (Honda, Mercury, Yamaha, Evinrude et.al.) bulb. Fuel line needs to be alcohol resistant. You can buy the length you want and cut in the bulb where you want it using stainless hose clamps. Shopping online will save you money. We all do it for parts. As for prices for carb rebuilds, keep in mind there are 3 "kits" needed plus the labor to disassemble, clean, reassemble and synchronize. Shop the authorized dealers/ mechanics that service Mercury in your area. Get detailed estimates with price breakdowns to ensure an apples-too-apples comparison.
gchuba	#5  Posted on 04/22/14 - 4:03 PM
Member Posts: 1675 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/31/13	I had 6 carburetors rebuilt for a 1980 235hp Johnson for $800 from a professional shop. Shop around. I am also in the process of replacing all my fuel lines as well as the fill hose for my under deck tank. Found some the hoses cracked/failed at the clamps, some of the clamps broke when removing, inside of hose "raw" in places. Worth doing all at once. gchuba
gcanbos	#6  Posted on 04/22/14 - 6:49 PM
Member Posts: 20 Comments: 0 Joined: 04/22/14	...Phil T...thx for the consoling words. The marina that is doing the work is a Boston Whaler/Mercury dealer. I could never imagine that a deteriorating bulb fuel line, and I think it's the original, could cause such an expensive repair. I've grown up around boats, I live in RI, and I've never heard of having to periodically replace the bulb/fuel line to avoid cleaning and rebuilding the engine's carburetors. The repair is underway...any money I might have saved by going somewhere else didn't seem to justify putting more hands into the soup. Any other input on this condition is more than welcomed... An "older, wiser," boat owner, Geoffrey
CES	#7  Posted on 04/23/14 - 3:47 AM
Member Personal Page Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 2681 Comments: 7 Joined: 04/27/07	Welcome to the world of Ethanol fuel. Though they're plenty if "naysayers" concerning the havoc ethanol wreaks on fuel lines and carburetors, I've seen first hand what this stuff does. Good luck with your repair and I look forward to reading about your positive outcome. Cliff 1966 13' Sport with a 1993 40hp Yamaha 2 Smoker
gcanbos	#8  Posted on 05/10/14 - 5:22 AM
Member Posts: 20 Comments: 0 Joined: 04/22/14	...well I don't know about a positive outcome with the repair bill being over $1500. That also included replacing the battery, prop and other needed services. Boats are an expensive endeavor...period. I'm off to paint the bottom...fun, fun, fun...:) Geoff
wing15601	#9  Posted on 05/10/14 - 8:14 AM
Member Posts: 699 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/14/12	Put a filter on near the engine. I winter in Ft. Myers and summer in St. Joseph, Michigan. It’s now about 12 years since I’ve joined this group. I gave my 1972 whaler to my daughter and sold the 17’. Bought an O’Day 28 sailboat and sailed on Lake Michigan. Yesterday I bought a 2005 130 Sport.
Silentpardner	#10  Posted on 05/10/14 - 7:42 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 593 Comments: 1 Joined: 06/12/11	Actually, that motor, if it is a 2005, should have HAD a filter inline at the motor before the carbs...interesting that someone finally thought about that. Sorta makes you wonder about the diagnosis by the mechanics involved... Edited by Silentpardner on 05/10/14 - 7:44 PM
Cape Fear	#11  Posted on 05/11/14 - 6:34 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 46 Comments: 1 Joined: 07/03/13	3 NEW carbs at full retail price would be under $1000. Edited by Cape Fear on 05/11/14 - 7:15 PM