I just had my 3rd primer bulb failure in the 6 months. This last one didn't last a month. All have been the Attwood brand bought at Academy or Walmart. I did a little research on the net and, it seems, most brands are constructed out of the same material which is supposed to be alcohol resistant. Of course, the timing seems to suggest that ethanol is a factor, imagine that!!!!!!

Any suggestions as to a more durable brand or a way to eliminate the bulb such as adding an electric fuel pump?

What kind of failure are you experiencing?

Go to any marine repair place and buy or order an OEM hose and bulb.......I am still using the original after 10 years! Yes they cost a little bit more but worth it.

Hard to believe E-10 fuel is the culprit...I agree both these guys, did all the failures look the same? And, get the OEM bulb.

Mike,

I went through two of the cheap wallie world primer bulbs before I payed a few extra dollars and got an OEM Merc primer bulb. It has been working fine since. The cheaper ones (atwood) must use less expensive valves or something, but they do not seem to last at all.

Ron

All 3 just quit pumping fuel. Best guess is the check valve failed as they would not suck up any fuel even though the bulb would hold a vacuum, the bulb stayed collapsed when covering the output end with a finger. I couldn't detect the least bit of suction at the input end when pumping the bulb.

Academy replaced this one at no cost. I'll check into an OEM bulb.

Thanks guys.

You might try holding the bulb vertically, with the arrow point up. Lot of times they won't work in a horizontal orientation.

Make the jump and put in an electric fuel pump.

Its not due to ethanol. Its due to the fact that those Attwood bulbs are junk and should not be sold. Anyone using those bulbs should throw them away. As mentioned by the OEM bulbs. Also if you are not using a fuel filter in the line then you will be getting flakes of rubber inside the carburetor. Attwood bulbs breakdown on the inside.