speedo does not work

agraywall

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Joined
Mar 31, 2007
Messages
15
I own a 96 Bayliner bowrider with a 3.0 merc.

The speedo does not work. I have read some other threads about blowing air down the line, does this work? My boat is moored in saltwater so it may be a little difficult for me to get underneath the leg to check the intake port, is it safe to insert a coat hanger to clean out the hole?
 

tashasdaddy

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Nov 11, 2005
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51,019
Re: speedo does not work

i would disconnect at the speedometer and blow out. a wire would only push an obstruction further up the tube. the speedo works on air pressure, the water push against the pitot opening and that compresses the air in the hose, causing the speedo to register.
 

agraywall

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Joined
Mar 31, 2007
Messages
15
Re: speedo does not work

Thanks.

How much pressure should I use? will a bike pump be enough?
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
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71,082
Re: speedo does not work

My boat is moored in saltwater

You otta get a GPS,...........

Cleaning that pitot tube is going to be a Daily Chore..........................
 

agraywall

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Joined
Mar 31, 2007
Messages
15
Re: speedo does not work

That is what I heard too. Plus my boat is moored so I would have to put my boat on the trailer to do any work to the leg.

any leads on where on the internet I could pick up a GPS for a reasonable rate??
 

jtown2829

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Jul 4, 2007
Messages
4
Re: speedo does not work

You can check gpsnow.com or pcnation.com. Both have pretty good prices. I just have to make-up my mind which one I want now. So many choices.:D
 

studlymandingo

Commander
Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
2,716
Re: speedo does not work

I bought my Navman Tracker off of eBay last year. I researched the brands and features, decided on the model I liked, then commenced to bid on one on eBay until I won what I wanted. I paid about half of retail and if the one I got was used, it wasn't used more than once or twice.​
 

WAVENBYE2

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 28, 2007
Messages
1,636
Re: speedo does not work

i would disconnect at the speedometer and blow out. a wire would only push an obstruction further up the tube. the speedo works on air pressure, the water push against the pitot opening and that compresses the air in the hose, causing the speedo to register.

Have you looked behind the speedo to see if the hose didn't pop off(hose was just as wide as the connection nipple,loose) or cracked from dry rot,even when I can afford to buy a GPS I still would like to be able to look down and see roughly how fast I am going at a quick glance.>>Pat
 

agraywall

Cadet
Joined
Mar 31, 2007
Messages
15
Re: speedo does not work

last time I checked the hose looked fine. When I take it off to blow some air into it we will see its true condition.
 
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