Help with Suzuki 8hp

[Numpty]

I am sorry if this is a completely ignorant question on my part.

I finally picked up a fishing boat and motor. (I am new to boats and boat motors)

It was running great....It is a Suzuki 8hp

When I prime, the bulb gets hard but very little fuel seems to be getting to the plugs, they are a little wet but can't get it to kick over

Until I filled the Tank right full it never did this.

Is this a Tank/Prime Bulb issue or is it the fuel line...or worse a clog in the line somewhere.

I took out the plug and sparayed some quickstart and it fired immediately.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated

Thanks in advance

[jhoffman]

did the tank sit? is there an inline fuel filter?

[Numpty]

No the tank didn't sit at all....

The Suzuki is Oil injected and the Tank is clean.

No there is no in-line filter

Thanks

[SCBASS]

Are you using a metal tank?  I know you said that the tank was clean but what you are describing makes me think not.  If you just filled the tank there is a good possibility that you stirred up some rust or debris in the tank.  I am unfamiliar with that particular motor but these steps should help you diagnose where the fuel flow stops if there is a clog. Start by making sure that the hose and primer are not clogged. Disconnect the hose end from the motor and use a screwdriver to depress the valve on the hose connection.  If gas squirts out when you squeeze the primer then at least you know they are not the problem. If there is no clog, reconnect the line so you can check if the fuel pump.  The easiest way to check the fuel pump would be to disconnect the fuel line on the outlet side of the pump (the line that goes from the fuel pump to the carburetor).  With the primer bulb firm, turn the motor over.  When you pull the rope, gas should pulse out of the fuel pump.  If it does, you have narrowed it down to a carburetor issue.  Hope this isn't too confusing and it helps you diagnose the problem.

[Numpty]

The Tank is a Plastic Tank...

I will go through the diagnoses you described an give you an update....

I am very familiar with small engines...have rebuilt a couple and am always fixing a Lawn Tractor, Chain Saw etc...

but Marine engines are an unkown to me....

[surfer]

  Quote

I am very familiar with small engines...have rebuilt a couple and am always fixing a Lawn Tractor, Chain Saw etc...

but Marine engines are an unkown to me....

Hardly any difference in the two types of engine. Fuel, Compression, Spark are identical. Water cooled and gear case (lower unit) are the differences.

No inline filter?  Is there one right before the fuel pump in the motor?

"Plugs are a little wet?

I am not familiar enough to say how wet is wet for plugs getting gas.  But if they are wet enough could the gas be bad?

[Numpty]

From the standpoint of getting it running I am capable...but it is the tank, and primer bulb that I am confused...I didn't wan to start tearing apart everything to get down to the fuel line to check if it could have just been a primer bulb issue.

There is an inline fuel filter

I am going to have a look at it tomorrow and hopefully figure it out....I may just take it to a shop and tell them to get it running....Just lacking the time  

I will post the results and outcome

[sneaker]

Your carburator probably has a fuel drain plug near the bottom of the bowl. Back it out and fuel should pour out. If you get fuel, try pumping the fuel line bulb and the carb should drain more fuel. If you get more fuel, you may have an ignition problem. Starting fluid fires with a lot less spark than gassoline. You might try changing fuel and then the spark pluggs.

[surfer]

Changing the fuel line outside of the motor and bulb is easy enough. If you have understood everything that was said in this thread then you can probably do it in 30 minutes once you have the parts. It should only be $30 worth of parts. This would eliminate the concern of fuel line and bulb and you wouldn't have to spent the time and money to take it to the shop yet.

While you are at it change out the gas unless you are absolutely sure the gas isn't bad. This is a cheap and easy maneuver which makes it worth doing before you spend money on more expensive things.

And like sneaker said fresh plugs is another cheap easy thing to do before getting a mechanic involved.

But i feel your pain when it comes to time.  Somtimes it is worth it to just have it done.

[BassChump]

It sounds to me like a change of your plug or plugs is the first item. Your plugs shouldn't be "wet" at all. Not if it's running right. The plugs should be somewhat discolored from when they were new but if they are wet with fuel, then the plugs get "fouled" and won't spark. New plugs should solve the problem unless there is a fuel delivery problem that is making the fuel/air mixture is too rich.

Try the plugs before spending the money on a mechanic. It might be as simple as a weak for fouled plug.

[slice]

One more vote for new plugs. They're cheap and even if thats not the problem, once you do fix the problem, you'll be running a new set of plugs.

[Numpty]

Got it started....changed plugs, replaced primer bulb...and cleaned carb

Started and ran great all weekend.....

Thanks for all the help

[BassChump]

I'm glad to hear it worked out with a minimum of hassle and cost. 2 stroke motors tend to foul plugs relatively easily so that is usually the first thing to look at. If they get noticably wet, that usually indicates they are fouled and need to be replaced. I can't count how many times what sounds like a big problem is just a bad plug.

Always keep a few spare plugs and a wrench to change them handy. It can mean the difference between a good fishing day or a wasted trip to your favorite spot. Not to mention the cost of fuel.

Nothing worse than driving a way to go fishing and being shut down because of something so simple.

       Take care

[surfer]

cool.  glad to hear it is fixed.