
How it works:
- Primer bulb is pressed and released
- When released a vacuum is created and fresh fuel is drawn into the intake fuel line
- The intake fuel line deposits fuel into the carburetor making it ready or “primed” for combustion
How does a carburetor Prime bulb work?
Primer bulb is pressed and released When released a vacuum is created and fresh fuel is drawn into the intake fuel line The intake fuel line deposits fuel into the carburetor making it ready or “primed” for combustion
How does a primer bulb work?
How it works: 1 Primer bulb is pressed and released 2 When released a vacuum is created and fresh fuel is drawn into the intake fuel line 3 The intake fuel line deposits fuel into the carburetor making it ready or “primed” for combustion More ...
Where is the primer bulb on a Walbro carburetor?
The Walbro carburetor primer bulb is a small plastic bulb which sits on the outermost casing of the carburetor. Beneath this casing is a small chamber which directly connects to the primer bulb known as the top cover. A plastic fuel line leading out of the top cover is the fuel return pipe, which connects to the device’s fuel reservoir.
What is a primer bulb on a lawn mower?
Many small engines use a primer bulb to make starting easier. Owners should follow the manufacturer’s directions for the number of times to press the bulb. On lawnmowers, the manufacturer often locates the primer bulb between the fuel tank and air filter. The user presses this small, circular device to provide fuel for starting.

How does a dry primer bulb work?
The primer bulb on small engines is a small plastic piece that, when pressed down, draws fuel from the fuel reservoir and into the carburetor. The carburetor is a part of the engine that mixes fuel and air together to make a combustion.
What is the purpose of a primer bulb?
A primer bulb is important because it is helps to fill the carburetor with the correct amount of fuel. It does this by pulling fuel through the fuel line. You may need to fix or replace your primer bulb if: It is not creating proper suction.
How do I test a primer bulb?
0:091:49Hard to Start? HOW TO TEST the PRIMER BULB on a ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat you want to do is take off the air filter cover. And you can take a peek inside the carburetor.MoreWhat you want to do is take off the air filter cover. And you can take a peek inside the carburetor. And you can tell if the primer bulb is working.
Why isn't my primer bulb won't fill up?
Another cause of the primer's filling problem could be the bulb itself. Small perforations on the rubber could inject enough air into the fuel system to make the suction too weak. Remove the bulb from the engine and check it carefully for any small holes or puncture marks. Replace any worn or cracked bulbs.
Can a primer bulb be bypassed?
A primer bulb aids in the cold starting of your engine. If it gets damaged, it can be bypassed simply by blocking the line which connects it to the carburetor.
Which fuel line goes to the primer bulb?
The (clear) fuel intake line runs from the top of the carburetor (straight nipple) and goes to the short post on the back of the primer bulb. The return line (blue) comes from the long post on the back of the primer bulb and goes into the bottom of the fuel tank.
What causes primer bulb not to prime?
When the primer bulb isn't working, it may be a problem with the bulb itself, with the fuel lines that feed fuel to the bulb or both. Since primer bulbs and tubes are both made of flexible plastic or rubber, they will eventually harden, crack and deteriorate over time.
Why is my primer ball not getting hard?
You might try running the hose and bulb to a can of gas (lots of things can go bad with can of gas, be careful) and see if the motor will fill and firm up the bulb. You can also remove the hose from motor and pump bulb, use your finger as a one way check valve. Once the bulb is full reconnect to the motor.
How do you fix a primer bulb?
3:585:26How to Replace a Primer Bulb - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust like that now the primer bulb is held in place by a couple of small tabs I find the easiest wayMoreJust like that now the primer bulb is held in place by a couple of small tabs I find the easiest way to remove it is to just use a pair of needle nose pliers and kind of press the tabs.
Why is my carburetor not getting gas?
float may be stuck in the closed position or if carburetor equipped with a electric shut off/solenoid it could be faulty/stuck/bad connection. Now if you are getting fuel to carb. and the bowl is filling, either the jets are clogged or you have not adjusted the screws out to the proper settings to allow fuel to flow.
How do you prime a small engine carburetor?
How to Prime a Lawnmower CarburetorRemove the cap from the lawnmower fuel tank. ... Locate the primer bulb on the side of the lawnmower engine. ... Press and release the primer bulb three times with your finger to prime the lawnmower carburetor.Pull the throttle lever on the lawnmower handle to the "fast" position.More items...
Do you need to prime carbs to start?
Simply cranking the car for 10 - 15 seconds should prime the carb. Crank the car again, if it doesn't start immediately keep cranking the car for a maximum of 15 seconds. Stop Wait at least 2 minutes, this is to prevent damage to the starter.
What happens if you prime a snowblower too much?
Priming the engine moves fuel through the fuel lines and into the carburetor. Our Toro snowblower recommends pressing the primer button twice. We've found it actually requires more like 8-10 pumps to get going. Be careful not to over-prime, however, since it can flood the engine.
How does a primer bulb work on a outboard motor?
0:045:24Outboard primer bulbs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStraight down with your tank wherever it goes hold the Bob vertical. And then let the other sideMoreStraight down with your tank wherever it goes hold the Bob vertical. And then let the other side come back and even if it's starts with nothing but air in it. You'll.
How does a 2 cycle primer bulb work?
0:1215:46Purge Primer Bulb - HOW IT WORKS - (stihl chainsaw etc) by Craig KirkmanYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipVitally. Important that these primer bulbs work on these little two-stroke carburetors. Creating aMoreVitally. Important that these primer bulbs work on these little two-stroke carburetors. Creating a vacuum. And not having any little piercings or little damage on them.
Why do lawn mowers use primer bulbs?
On lawnmowers, the manufacturer often locates the primer bulb between the fuel tank and air filter. The user presses this small, circular device to provide fuel for starting.
Where is the primer bulb on an outboard motor?
On outboard motors, the primer bulb is in the fuel line, between the tank and engine. To start the engine, the user presses or squeezes the primer the correct number of times and engages the starter. On many small engines, this involves pulling the starter rope, although some small engines have an electric starter.
What happens if a fuel bulb leaks?
If the bulb develops leaks, air begins to replace the fuel in the line, causing the engine to run rough or stall. Fuels with alcohol blends tend to accelerate this type of deterioration. The use of fresh fuel in the system and the addition of a fuel stabilizer help to reduce this type of deterioration. ADVERTISEMENT.
How Should You React If You Detect a Bad Primer Bulb?
There’s not much you can do on your own if the issue is big. For example, if you have a bad fuel pump or fuel line. You can take the engine to the dealer to fix it.
What Are the Symptoms of a Bad Primer Bulb?
Here I will discuss the symptoms that directly indicate a bad primer bulb. As you go down, you will find other problems that indicate ‘why’ the bulb might not be working.
How Often Should You Change the Primer Bulb?
The primer bulb is made of rubber and is affected by the sun. Changing the primer bulb every 4 years is optimum.
Is Replacing a Bad Primer Bulb Typically Expensive?
Replacing a primer bulb is typically inexpensive. You can find them on Amazon. Those cost around $12-20.
1. The Primer Bulb Has Leaks
A primer bulb should be in pristine condition to work flawlessly. Its ultimate purpose is to prime the carburetor. Technically, priming is the process of providing the carburetor with sufficient gas so that the fuel and air can mix and be ready to combust when you start the engine.
2. The Sealed Unit Has Leaks
Like the primer bulb, the entire section of your tool comprising the gas tank, fuel lines, and carburetor form a sealed unit. There are valves, gaskets, diaphragms, and other components regulating the flow of air and fuel.
3. The Primer Bulb Valve Is Jammed
All primer bulbs have a one-way valve facilitating airflow and fuel through but not allowing either to return. There is another hole in the base plate of the primer bulb that allows both fuel and air to flow into the section. This air and fuel mixture is pumped into the system when you press the bulb.
4. The Fuel Lines Are Blocked
If you have already checked the fuel lines as detailed in the second step of this guide, you are already aware of whether the fuel lines are blocked or not. The same inspection can tell you if there is leakage, blockage, or both. However, unlike leaks, you can clean the blockage so that you can continue to use the same fuel lines.
5. The Fuel Filter Is Clogged
Like the valves and hoses, the fuel filter in your tool’s gas tank may have gunk buildup. Thus, the filter will not allow fuel to flow out of the gas tank as it normally does. You may have this problem if you store a tool with a loaded gas tank. Always empty the fuel tank before storing.
6. The Carburetor Is Not Working
A primer bulb connected to the carburetor through a port or hose pulls fuel into the device by creating a suction, also referred to as purging. Thus, the primer bulb is a purge bulb, too. If a primer bulb is fastened directly onto the carburetor, the compression and reversion force fuel into the device.
7. The Fuel Lines Are Swapped
This problem is relevant only if your primer bulb is connected to the carburetor and gas tank using two separate ports. Check if the fuel intake hose is connected to the primer bulb’s ‘out’ port. Such errors may happen while replacing the fuel lines or reassembling a tool.
What is the primer bulb on a Walbro carburetor?
The Walbro carburetor primer bulb is a small plastic bulb which sits on the outermost casing of the carburetor. Beneath this casing is a small chamber which directly connects to the primer bulb known as the top cover. A plastic fuel line leading out of the top cover is the fuel return pipe, which connects to the device’s fuel reservoir. Running back from the top cover is the primer passage. This fuel line passes through the venturi throat (a widening of the pipe diameter to reduce fuel pressure and keypoint of the carburetor) to the lower fuel chamber. From the lower fuel chamber, low speed fuel mixture and high speed fuel mixture adjust lines lead to the throttle. Also, another pipe leads through a fuel filter to the upper fuel chamber, which in turn dumps back into the fuel reservoir.
What is a Walbro carburetor?
Walbro carburetors are a common type of carburetor found on two-stroke engines such as those that power weed eaters, chainsaws, leaf blowers and other lawn care tools. Despite their small and lightweight appearance, they’re complex machines that rely a great deal on the smooth supply of fuel from the fuel reservoir to function. Two-stroke engines do not have a separate oil reservoir, but instead, combine oil with gasoline. The fuel passing through the carburetor can be particularly viscous and difficult to move. It’s nearly impossible to start a two-stroke engine without making use of the primer bulb.
Why is the primer bulb on my lawn mower not priming?
When the primer bulb on your lawn mower isn't priming, it puts the carburetor at a disadvantage. Designed to replace air in the fuel lines and carburetor with gasoline when you depress the button several times, a primer bulb provides a crucial service that makes starting the engine easier.
Where are primer bulbs on a lawn mower?
They're either directly on the carburetor, or placed at a distance from the carburetor and connected to it with rubber tubing. Once you've gained access to the bulb's housing, remove the screws that hold it in place.
What happens when a primer bulb is cracked?
A primer bulb that's lost its suppleness doesn't respond as a new one does. The same goes for fuel lines. When they've hardened and cracked, they let in air, which makes it impossible to draw the fuel into the carburetor properly.
Why isn't my fuel line primer working?
When the primer bulb isn't working, it may be a problem with the bulb itself, with the fuel lines that feed fuel to the bulb or both. Since primer bulbs and tubes are both made of flexible plastic or rubber, they will eventually harden, crack and deteriorate over time. A primer bulb that's lost its suppleness doesn't respond as a new one does. The same goes for fuel lines. When they've hardened and cracked, they let in air, which makes it impossible to draw the fuel into the carburetor properly.
How does a mower carburetor feel?
There's a slight resistance when you push it, and you can feel that it's pulling fuel from the gas tank. When it's not working, however, the bulb may refuse to pop back out after you depress it. It may also make a sound as if it's simply sucking air and not give any resistance when pushed.
How does a primer bulb work?
How It Works. Pressing the primer bulb creates a vacuum that sucks gas from the fuel tank through the fuel lines and into the carburetor. Pressing the primer only a couple times should supply enough fuel to mix with air in the carburetor, and be ready for combustion.
Where is the primer bulb on a filter?
Remove the air filter assembly where the primer bulb housing is located. The primer bulb is attached to the back of the air filter assembly . Gently push in the tabs behind the primer bulb pry the ring loose that's holding it in place.
Where is the primer bulb on a Briggs and Stratton 5?
The primer bulb on a Briggs and Stratton 5 horsepower engine is located on the back of the air filter assembly next to the carburetor. It's a small rubber button-like part that the user must press to start the fuel flow from the gas tank into the carburetor.
Can primer bulb deteriorate?
The primer bulb can start to deteriorate if you use stale fuel. Old fuel as well as the ethanol in fuel nowadays start to break down parts of the fuel system if left sitting for extended periods of time. Only use fresh fuel in the engine, and treat it with a fuel stabilizer. References.
