I would start by replacing the fuel bubble. The check valves can go bad in
the bubble and the fuel pump can't pull fuel thru it. That would explain
why you can pump fuel but fuel is not being pulled past the bubble. You
stated the filter is between the bubble and the engine. It gets dry since
the fuel is being pumped out of the line but can't pull more thru the
bubble.
If the fuel pump was bad it would not pump any so I don't think that is it.
If the pickup was a problem you would not be able to pump fuel.
The vent is a possiblity that you are overcoming it but the fuel pump cannot
but I would bet on the bubble.

--
Tony
my boats and cars at http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com

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"HankCoen" wrote in message
...
I have an Evinrude 9,9 4stroke on a small jon boat. I installed an inline
filter about a year ago between the bulb and the connection to the motor.
it's one of those glass ones that you can replace the filter element. It
has
been running fine for the last year. now for some reason the motor runs
out
of gas. It uses all the gas in the line (I can see the filter element get
dry) it seems no gas is coming out of the tank. if I squeeze the bulb the
line fills fine. if not it runs dry. This is very strange. I was told it
could be a clog in the line in front of the filter. I figure if this is
true
I would have trouble with the bulb also. other people tell me it's the
vent
on the tank. I don't think so. What answers you guys out there got for
this.
in case your interested the way the inline filter was to keep from
replacing
the motor filter and I can see if there is any water in the gas early
befor
it gets into the motor this way.