MY CUSTOMER HAS A 96 JOHNSON 175 FAST TRAK THAT WON'T RUN WOT WITHOUT FIRST PUMPING THE BULB. AFTER PUMPING IT UP IT WILL RUN PERFECT WOT OR LESS FOR AS LONG AS HE WANTS. IF HE STOPS AND FISHES FOR A WHILE IT WILL START EASILY, BUT WON'T PLANE OUT OR IDLE VERY FAR WITHOUT CUTTING OUT OR DYING. HE CAN PUMP THE BULB AGAIN AND IT WILL RUN FINE.
I'VE NEVER RUN INTO THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND THOUGHT YOU GUYS MIGHT BE ABLE TO SUGGEST A SOLUTION. THANKS IN ADVANCE, JERRY

Sounds little like my problem. Was told it's a fuel leak or fuel pump problem. Gonna replace all my hoses since they're the originals and may have been effected by the ethanol. Check fuel lines first.

I would look first at the fuel line from the tank to the engine. Primer bulb included, Then check the fuel filter at the VRO.

DID THAT. EVERYTHING LOOKED OK.

Whenever you have to reprime the pump. That tells me that air is entering into the fuel system. The pump cannot overcome the air. Since you have to prime, Air is entering via the exit side of the pump. So: it could be a bad flapper seal in the pump allowing this to happen. By that I mean, it is allowing the fuel to flow backwards and draining the fuel pump. The primer is suppose to help hold that, but if it is lying horizonal, it may not be working. Try elevating the exit side of the fuel primer up about 30 degrees. Then the fuel will press against the check ball in the primer allowing the primer to seal. Otherwise, hey, it sounds to me like a bad pump seal.

MIKE, THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR ADVICE. I'LL TRY IT,

Have a friend that has a 175 Johnson.
It was doing the same thing.
The problem was warped carb. bowls.

REPLACED THE VRO PUMP AND IT RUNS LIKE A TOP. THANKS GUYS, JERRY