Fuel feed to outboard is wonky

[Calypso52]

Good morning folks,

This one is a real head scratcher.

Every time at start up (Honda 20 hp) I have to pump the fuel bulb multiple times to get it firm. Engine starts first time every time. After it starts I will have to give it another squeeze to two to keep it firm. Then I can run for any period of time. As I get to my destination, I give it one squeeze to make sure it doesn't die as I throttle down. Within a couple hours, I mostly have to repeat the process.



It is as if all the fuel is siphoning back into the tank. (Tank is in the bow locker, about 7 feet away. The tank vent is open. No fuel is leaking from the engine. Que pasa, senors?! Thanks!

[Chotu]

Possibly it’s the fuel bulb itself going bad. They do go bad frequently.

[thomm225]

My 5 hp used to do that with it's "universal" fuel line when using the external tank. The cure was to put the tank in a higher position than the engine.

Also the vent cap had to be closed on the intregal fuel tank. (open on external)

Later I bought the right end connectors for the fuel line (and tank), and the engine worked fine regardless of where the tank was located.

When using the intregal fuel tank, the engine always ran well......