Can anyone offer any explanation as to why I can't get the fuel tank to prime when I pump the primer bulb as needed on a Weed Eater gas trimmer? I have recently replaced the fuel supply line with the filter fitted on the end inside the tank but when I pump the primer bulb it stays depressed rather than popping back out. I have
sprayed some carburetor cleaner into the carb after taking the air filter off and let it stand for an hour or so thinking there might have been some gunk build-up internally. The unit starts and runs until all of the accumulated cleaner burns off so no doubt the coil and plug are firing. The problem has to lie somewhere in the intake side BUT WHERE????

Thanks,

Billy, May 2009

when you prime the bulb it sucks gas from the tank with the small tube, any excess gassed pumped will be fed back to the carb via the big tube leading to the tank. If you prime it and the bulb stays pushed down, then you have a clog or kink. To fix , pull the small tube out of the tank through the fill hole. Pull off the filter on the end and put the tube back in the tank. If it primes, your fuel filter was clogged. If it still wont prime check the hose going to the carb and make sure isnt clogged or kinked.(take of carb and blow in it). If that doesnt fix it take off the bulb from the carb with two screws. The bulb assembly will come off too(rectange metal thing) Take off the two black gaskets, be carefull with them. Take off hoses from carb and bulb asembly. Blow carb cleaner in all holes and over surface. Put back together.
If the carb wont prime and the bulb isnt staying depressed. then you might have a bad bulb or carb gaskets. Make sure hoses are not cracked, cloged, or pinched.

slimslatty, May 2012

try taking the primer bulb off and pour a little bit of gas down in it it might help i cant be sure

cisco kid, December 2009

I am also having similar problem. With lines removed from carb body the primer button stays in and never comes out. doesn't release suction The primer button is dry inside.

I have taken mine apart hit with air and air does go tru and pushes button out AND FAST but wont draw in fuel like the siphoning capabilities are gone

chris, August 2009

How did u replace the fuel line. My line was so old it broke apart. These are the lines coming from the fuel tank with the two adaptor parts inside the gas/oil tank.

Sue, May 2009

I'm having the same problem, replaced the fuel line , but the fuel does not suck up into carb. Took the bulb assembly apart and stll didn't work

Bobby, May 2009