can someone please help. i have a 17 foot pathfinder flats boat. i keep losing prime in my gas line. i can run for a while, then my engine starts to bog down, which i then start pumping the ball to regain prime. i have replaced the entire gas line, new ball, and clip that connects to the engine. i am still losing prime. any other areas i should check? could there be something in the engine that is causing this? i have a 50 horse yamaha. any ideas fellas? please help. oh yea, the gas tank is in the front of my boat so i have roughly 12-15 feet of hose before it reaches the engine.

Check the vent on the gas cap, it has to be open otherwise the fuel pump draws a vacumn on the tank.

Get a spray bottle and soapy water (dish soap) get lots of pressure in your line and start working your way threw your fuel system. Remember to check all connects under the cowl.

Garnet

same thing happened to my motor and it was a faulty fuel pump.

same thing happened to my motor and it was a faulty fuel pump.

same here!!!

Doug

I was going to suggest a new fuel pump.  That sounds more like your problem than anything else.

If the system is sucking air in the fuel line, it usually only runs a short time before it dies and even then it would have to be between the bulb and the tank.  If it was beween the bulb and the engine, it would be spraying gas where the leak was when you pumped the bulb.  If there was a leak between the bulb and the tank, you would have a hard time getting the bulb to pump up for the air it would be sucking and you would see wetness around the affected area.

So, replace/rebuild the fuel pump and your problem will, in all likelyhood, go away.

thank you fellas. i called my marine center and a new fuel pump is only $40. i was told it is not that hard to install, and i have the engines manual, so tomorrow i am going to give it a go. thanks guys.