Re: Mid 80s Johnson 40 hp

[Don]

I "think" I understand what you are describing, but want to make sure….Primer bulb won’t pump up, seems hard already, fuel sprays from fuel connector when line is disconnected.
I am assssuming the engine ran before, but does not run now, and no work has been done…
I like Garry’s advice. If fuel does pump from the carb supply line, then reconnect the hose, pull the carb drain plugs and try pumping the bulb again…
If no fuel pumps from the carb inlet line, I would check the engine side of the fuel connector. Some of these engines had a check valve on the connector that may be messed up. You mention that the VRO has been disabled. Is the VRO still in place, or has it been replaced with a fuel pump?
Perhaps the VRO is messed up or improperly plumbed, maybe someone swapped the fuel inlet line and pulse line….
Or, like Garry says, perhaps the fuel pump filter is messed up…