[CaptJohn]

A few weeks ago I stopped at a fuel dock near the manasquan inlet. They where out of regular, but had premium, I usually use regular, but decided to have them fill my 80 gallon tank, took about 65 gallons. (Added Startron)

Since that time I had noticed that my usually very dependable 2001 Mercury 150 2-stroke was taking alot longer to start. I actually took the boat out last wednesday just to run it hard for an hour or so to "clean it out", seemed to run ok, but still hard starting.

Went out this past sunday and fished many spots from the seagirt reef, down to the pipe and out to the Carlson. After a few drifts I stated noticing that it was taking alot longer to start up. At one stop, I couldn't get it started, tried for 20 minutes and called tow boat.

Each time I noticed the ball was not full, and pumped it several times with no luck filling it up.

Contacted a friend on VHF, said he had a problem with a valve on top of his fuel tank, I tapped the fitting several times and seemed like the ball filled up.
It started up, I cancelled the tow boat and headed home. The inlet was crazy with the large swells and plenty of boats, made in with no problems. I ran the 3 miles to my slip, and just before entering our dock area she dies again. The ball was still full this time and could not get it to start, no matter what I did.

A State Police boat was near and came over and towed me right to my slip. THANK YOU!

Any ideas if this may be bad gas, a bad fuel tank valve, bad primer bulb?

Thanks

John