Starter problem and fuel hose question

[jmfolger]

I was out on the lake yesterday and after I got my boat started and fished several different locations starting and stopping the motor at each location. I was about to head to the truck and my starter would not engage the flywheel. It would just spin and not pop up to engage the flywheel. I took off the cowl and lightly tapped it with the handle of a screw driver and it worked fine. Is this the sign that my starter is going out or does it need to be oiled? The other question I have is my boat had 1/4" fuel lines from the tank to the outboard and I changed it out but the parts store only had 5/16" hose so that is what I used. Now I am having problems with my primer bulb staying pumped. Do you think that this is a bad bulb or did a 1/16th of an inch change my fuel pressure to my outboard. The motor is a 1987 70hp Merc 3cyl. Any help would be great.

[5 BASS LIMIT]

I think you need to grease your starter bendix with some high temp bearing grease like you use for disc brakes. I know that they make a starter bendix grease but I think the disc brake high temp grease works better. On your fuel line you might have a air leak so make sure that all of your connections are tight and see if that fixes it.

Anthony(5BASSLIMIT)

[jmfolger]

Thanks I will get some of that grease in the next few days. Thanks again for the help!!

[5 BASS LIMIT]

Anytime that's what this forum is for.