Suzuki 4 Strokes and Primer Bulbs

[TXFishin]

This might be a stupid question, but I have two DF140's, which have primer bulbs in the fuel line, and the question is, seeing as I never use the primer bulbs to prime the engines, are primer bulbs necessary, or what is the purpose of them on 4 strokes, or other engines with fuel pumps?

On all my previous engines over the years I have always used the primer bulbs before starting the engines, but these engines have a fuel pump and have never used them before.

[keakar]

because the fuel pumps (or vapor seperator body) cant self prime, if they are dry the pump just spins free and will not have suction.

it is my understanding the primer bulb is just there to prime the pump and once its primed it can then suck in gas on its own.

it also comes in very handy to remove the air pocket when changing the water seperator fuel filter