fuel delivery problems

[crazyhorse357]

I have a 1978 Mercury 20hp that is apparently not getting gas from the tank to the carburator. I tryed to start it yesterday and it would not crank so I sprayed some gas into the carb and it started right up ang only ran for a second or two, did this several times with the same result each time.
Anyone got any ideas?

[boats.net]

Probably need to clean gas tank, replace fuel hose, remove and clean carb.

[crazyhorse357]

reply

Thanks for your reply, is it possible that the fuel line coupling, that connects the fuel hose to the engine could be worn so as not to depress the check ball and thereore not let gas into the carburator?