bilge blower?

[macgyver69]

My boat, 76 Silverline 16T w/ merc. 140 I/O, has four cowl vents at the back. Two facing forward and two back. Flex hose (3in. I believe) for the fronts at top of engine bay, two rear facing vent hoses at bottom of engine bay. Do I still have to have a blower with this set up?<br /><br />Thanx in advance.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: bilge blower?

Yes. Once the boat is underway, fumes are drawn out. With the boat at rest, those fumes have to be sucked out of there. That's when you use it. For a minute Before you start it, and when idling around. Otherwise ... kaboom! Sooner or later ... kaboom!

 

[whblaylock]

Re: bilge blower?

Yes. Those you describe ventilate the engine compartment while under way. The blower is to remove combustible gases that could accumulate anytime the boat has sat still. A fuel leak could develop at anytime and the vents would hopefully prevent a build up rich enough to explode while underway and the explosion proof blower would do the same while at rest. Most I/O's have a recommendation sticker on the helm someplace that recommends a certain run time on the blower before starting the motor.

 

[KRS]

Re: bilge blower?

Yes, get at least one, make sure it's vacuum side is deep in the bilge at a low point.

 

[Buttanic]

Re: bilge blower?

A powered blower is not required on boats built before 1980 but I would put one.<br /><br /> http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/fedreqs/equ_vent.htm

 

[AJ168]

Re: bilge blower?

I think I remember when I took my boater safety course them reccomending using the blower for five minutes before starting the engine. And then do a "sniff test" to smell for the gas vapors.