Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by tothemax on 06/03/12 - 12:14 PM

I'm re-doing all of my fuel lines and picked a new squeeze bulb - I'm planning on sharing the main fuel system with my kicker once I re-install the VRO system.

It seems that I would be able to prime both systems as well as fill a new filer easier if the bulb was ahead of the main canister filter. I'm not an outboard guy so I thought I would check.

Thanks...

Posted by gusgus on 06/03/12 - 12:43 PM

kamie wrote:
You also want the primer bulb between the water separator filter and the engines.

No question this is the preferred place, but I am having a tough time understanding why.

Many things come to mind when this subject surfaces. I recently re-plumbed my fuel system and did as suggested, but don't really understand the advantages. Can you explain?

Posted by cwk6 on 06/03/12 - 2:25 PM

The theory is that the pumps are better at pushing fuel through the filter than pulling air to draw fuel into the filter, which is true. If it is after the filter, you have to pump for a long time to get fuel into the filter if it is empty, which should only happen when you change the filter. I have my primer bulb after the filter and it works fine. You can also help the situation by "pre-priming" the filter. (physically pouring gas into the empty filter before you install it). I see no reason to install three bulbs into your fuel system. You will be fine with one bulb for each motor. Just make sure there are no leaks in your fuel lines or you will be pumping air forever.
Also remember to leave enough slack in your line so you can hold the bulbs vertically, with the fuel pumping towards the sky, when you prime. The bulbs work much better this way. You can google why that is, its a longer explanation.

Edited by cwk6 on 06/03/12 - 2:26 PM

Posted by gusgus on 06/03/12 - 2:49 PM

cwk6 wrote:The bulbs work much better this way. You can google why that is, its a longer explanation.

This makes perfect sense because of the check valves having fluid to push them into the closed positions.
Thanks for the explanation.
I am baffled by the (not yours) reasoning though. I don't want an argument, since it just isn't worth the energy. I can see the single bulb on a twin engine install (prior to the filter) would be seriously poor application of the bulb. However it seems to me that a single engine application might be advantages with a pre bulb. For leak detection, quick prime of filter and engine, etc.

I am a twin engine installation anyway and dual bulbs are installed after the filter, and will remain so. My error it seems to me is I installed a valve on the kicker feed line because I didn't trust the engine check valve to operate as advertised (aircraft mech redundancy issue) but the valve became the leak. LOL. Still in the re-fit condition, so no yardage gained, just a small setback.