Fuel Primer Bulb

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leefrankpierce
First Officer
Posts: 236
Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2017 5:13 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Dallas Ft-Worth Texas

Fuel Primer Bulb

Post by leefrankpierce »

My fuel primer bulbs are lasting about 3 to 6 months.
They rot out and start spraying me and allowing air into the line.
Regular replacement seems the best answer.
The bulb that came with mine lasted years, so what gives?
What bulbs have you guys been using?
Any last for reasonable times?
26X in Dallas Fort-Worth area Texas
Slip at Eagle Mountain Lake
:macx:
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Russ
Admiral
Posts: 8299
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi

Re: Fuel Primer Bulb

Post by Russ »

My original bulb is still serviceable. 17 years old and still going. I don't know what BWY used when they installed it.

Last year I replaced my entire fuel line and added this one. It seems to be hold up well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H2X1BTB?re ... tle_6&th=1
--Russ
leefrankpierce
First Officer
Posts: 236
Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2017 5:13 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Dallas Ft-Worth Texas

Re: Fuel Primer Bulb

Post by leefrankpierce »

tks, will try it.
26X in Dallas Fort-Worth area Texas
Slip at Eagle Mountain Lake
:macx:
45Plus+
Chief Steward
Posts: 70
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2021 4:42 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Rockland, Ontario

Re: Fuel Primer Bulb

Post by 45Plus+ »

I haven't had this problem (yet) but I think ethanol in gasoline can ruin gas lines. I had a chainsaw that had its fuel lines and primer bulb go to mush likely due to ethanol and me forgetting to add an appropriate fuel treatment. Perhaps the same is true for marine fuel lines and components? I'd like to think the manufacturers would have rolled with the times and created more resilient fuel system components though.

Duncan

PS - having lots of fun destroying the Christmas lights on the top of the webpage....very distracting to getting real things done :D :D
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Russ
Admiral
Posts: 8299
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi

Re: Fuel Primer Bulb

Post by Russ »

45Plus+ wrote: Tue Dec 09, 2025 3:29 pm
PS - having lots of fun destroying the Christmas lights on the top of the webpage....very distracting to getting real things done :D :D
It's somewhat cathartic isn't it?

Good point on the Ethanol. I had a fuel line literally crumble first year of use. It may have been ethanol that did it.
NOW I ensure to use pure ethanol free gas. There are other reasons to avoid ethanol in boats. Attracts water and our boats are floating in water.
--Russ
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Be Free
Admiral
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Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:08 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Steinhatchee, FL

Re: Fuel Primer Bulb

Post by Be Free »

I think you just got a bad bulb. I don't think I've every had less than 15 years on a fuel line or bulb.
Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
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dlandersson
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Location: Michigan City

Re: Fuel Primer Bulb

Post by dlandersson »

3 - 6 months sounds off. I replace mine every 5 years (just to be safe). Never actually had a problem. 8)
leefrankpierce wrote: Mon Dec 08, 2025 11:08 am My fuel primer bulbs are lasting about 3 to 6 months.
They rot out and start spraying me and allowing air into the line.
Regular replacement seems the best answer.
The bulb that came with mine lasted years, so what gives?
What bulbs have you guys been using?
Any last for reasonable times?
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