---

Does it matter if the primer bulb is before or after the fuel filter?

---

some fuel cells have filters on there pickup tubes is that what you are asking

---

I am redoing the fuel lines and am wondering if it matters if the primer bulb is between the tank and the filter or between the filter and the motor.

Maybe a photo will help:

[img]http://www.whalercentral.com/images/ppimages/1/P1010146.jpg[/img]

---

I ended up mounting mine between the motor and the ext. filter as priming the bulb pushes fuel into the engine. If it was between the fuel tank and the filter, you'd be pushing fuel into the filter but if there was blockage in the filter, no fuel would make it to the motor.

Just my $0.02.

---

It wouldn't make any difference as long as the arrow is pointing in the right direction. :o One main thing to take into consideration is easy access so you aren't busting knuckles every time you need to get to it.

---

You want the primer bulb after the filter so trash does not get into the bulb.

Additionally, it is slightly easier to re-prime the line after installing a new filter.

---

Second that, and if you mount it in the part of the line that runs up to the powerhead, it'll always be oriented in the "up" position....

---

I have mine in front of the filter. If you change the filter, there is air in there. Would it be easier to pump the fuel into the filter than suck it into the filter with the primer bulb. But I believe it would work either way. Once the line and filter are full to the engine the engine takes over doesn't it.

---

Thanks for the info.

Given the responses, the placement of the bulb doesn't appear to make any operational difference.

In the past I've experienced a problem with the bulb lying on it's side vs. veritcally so putting it between the filter and the motor seems the best place to prevent any similar problems.

---

Is the arrow on the bulb is always supposed to be pointing "UP" ? Vertically ?

---

Matt I believe it shows the direction of the fuel, mine is pointed down from the tank as you can see from my personal page.

---

Makes no difference whether it points up or down, as there is a check valve within the bulb that prevents the fuel from flowing in a backwards direction but the arrow must be pointing in the direction of the fuel flow. or towards the motor connection

---

I never know the proper position, the bulb seem's to work well horizontally on top of my portable 6 gal. tank. I sometimes check it, sometimes a bit of air, sometimes not.

---

It seems to me that the quality if the check valves in some of the primer bulbs is low, thus requiring the bulb to be oriented with the arrow pointing up in order for it to work properly. Gravity helps the valves do what they're supposed to do on their own. The better quality ones aren't affected by this.

---

The bulb either pumps or it doesn't (unless there is a air leak). Once the system is full the check ball/valve just lets the full flow by. The engine fuel pump takes over. The orientation of the arrow doesn't have to be any way but pointing toward the engine.

---

Right, but we're talking about the actual act of priming, not once the system is primed. Orientation of the bulb unfortunately is a factor on some MFR bulbs while squeezing in order to get them to fill (usually the cheaper non OEM brands)

---

I guess in theory it shouldn't matter, and perhaps hasn't for some folks, but I can tell you that it absolutely was a problem for me on my 22 Outrage Cuddy. At that time I would fire up the motor, a '99 Johnson 175. It would idle fine but would bog down and kill upon acceleration. Someone told me to make sure the bulb was oriented in an upright position. This corrected the situation. I can't remember for sure if it was am OMC bulb but I believe it was.

---

I have had the engine bog down before also and the bulb was collapsed, I just had to open the vent (more than ½ turn) on the fuel cell.

---

I did notice that the bulb was a bit softer after running at low speed or "Idle" for a while, than it is at "Cruise" or top end, is this "Normal" ? It's an OEM fuel line.

---

Matt the bulb will get a little softer, when you pump it up the fuel gets locked if that is the right word to use? because of the one way ball / valve. When it is pumped up the fuel has no where to go until the engine turns over and the fuel pump takes over then the pressure that was there is reduced slightly making the bulb a little softer.

---

ahhh, gotcha, Thank's for settin me straight !