Took The Bass Mate Out For First Time.. Not Good..

[BassMasster29]

Started up just fine but the bulb wouldnt really get hard, would jump up on plane and i would get about 100 yards and it would lay down, go back to primer bulb and soft yet again. Made it to the same exact spot 3 times. Ant ideas?
1988 Johnson 88spl

 

[corey331]

I would think a 300x with about 12" of setback and hydraulic steering would solve that problem....

 

[SCT]

'Started up just fine but the bulb wouldnt really get hard, would jump up on plane and i would get about 100 yards and it would lay down, go back to primer bulb and soft yet again'

If it's not staying hard, I recommend some 'boat Viagra'!

 

[keith4216]

Check fuel filter. Could be sucking up debris when throttled up and blocking flow.

 

[mishawakajim]

Like Keith said, check the fuel filter. Check to make sure your fuel tank is clean on the inside. I always liked having an inline, see thru fuel filter non my OB. Another possibility as to the bulb staying soft and not getting hard is the diaphragm is weak in the bulb. Could be a combination of both. Let us know what you find. Jim

 

[BassMasster29]

Will check that tomorow thanks guys

 

[jumbofordman]

Like Keith said, check the fuel filter. Check to make sure your fuel tank is clean on the inside. I always liked having an inline, see thru fuel filter non my OB. Another possibility as to the bulb staying soft and not getting hard is the diaphragm is weak in the bulb. Could be a combination of both. Let us know what you find. Jim

Or the fuel pump needs a rebuild, the diaphragm in it could be shot. My guess would be some type of blockage in the tank, though. I'd take out pickup tube and inspect it for blockage, particularly if there is a screen at the bottom of the tube (perhaps wedged in the bottom - I'd remove it if that's the case.)

 

[Chris]

Normally when I run into that issue, I first try a different fuel line.

That typically solves the issue.

-Chris

 

[BassMasster29]

My primer bulb has screw in fittings in the end, theyboth was loose so i tightened them and now the ball gets hard? Think that was my problem

 

[JUPITER PULSARE]

My primer bulb has screw in fittings in the end, theyboth was loose so i tightened them and now the ball gets hard? Think that was my problem

It could be..any loose fitting allowing air to be sucked in or fuel to escape could be the culprit. If the fuel bulb is original I would change it and the fuel lines. New fuel bulbs fuel lines are made to stand the ethanol in todays gas without breaking down the rubber...

 

[mishawakajim]

Just a side note to go along with what Jupiter said. You might want to take a good look at your fuel lines that are under the cowling on the motor and that run to the fuel pump and carb. If they're original or old, they may start to deteriorate and break down. This will result in small particles of black tubing clogging everything up from the fuel filter screen to possibly getting into jets and throughout carb. This is a real pain in the butt if it happens. The little bit of time spent to change them ahead of time will save you hours of frustration. This is from personal experience, learned the hard way. Jim

 

[JT Patroni]

I had a similar problem with a non boat piece of equipment and it was water in the tank being sucked up when the demand for more fuel increased. slow down and it ran fine again. Speed up, and it would start to happen again. The ethanol fuel was the problem for me.