fuel systyem problem on 87 model mercury

[Hlleonard]

I'm no mechanic either but it sounds like it might be the primer bulb. If the check valve inside it has gone bad, that would allow the fuel to drain back into the tank.

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I was thinking that might be the problem but not really sure if that is a function of the bulb, I replaced the bulb earlier this year because it was leaking and it could have gone bad again but it seems odd that would happen at the same time as the line leak but I am at a loss to explain what else could be causing it.... Thanks

[Les Young]

Try turning the bulb around & see if this doesn't fix it.