Blower

DebiA

Recruit
Joined
Aug 19, 2011
Messages
4
I am new to boating, and not sure about a few things. I have i/o, merc. I turned the blower on before starting the motor, but do I leave it while boating or just when I start the motor?:confused:
 

Howard Sterndrive

Rear Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2008
Messages
4,603
Re: Blower

3 minutes before cranking, after that it's up to you. If you travel in a lock system, they generally want blowers on while in the lock chamber.
I often just leave mine on.
 

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: Blower

Many say leave on at idle speeds. I only run mine to start.
 

Fordiesel69

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Sep 18, 2009
Messages
1,146
Re: Blower

While tubing with all the starting & stopping, I leave mine on to be safe. Otherwise if on a long cruise, OFF.

Its all up to you but for sure 3 min before cranking!
 

paultjohnson

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 29, 2010
Messages
1,560
Re: Blower

A few more thoughts... If your boat has been sitting still, as in a slip, or at anchor, run it longer for sure. If ya get off the freeway after an extended trailering, your engine compartment will have benefited from natural air flow.. IMHO !!!!!. You may have noticed that the louvers on the vents point fwd on one side and aft on the discharge side. I also often tilt my rear seats a bit before I trailer, ventilates it even more and aids in drying out any moisture. Another thing I do ALWAYS is perform a .....sniff test.... as soon as I turn on the blower, I take a good whiff of the air that the blower is pumping out. I try to determine if there are any fuel vapors, or any thing out of the norm.. I check randomly thru out the day for gas fumes, burning plastic smell, steam, exhaust.. etc. Your nose can help u know whats going on under the engine cover
 

boat1010

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 10, 2009
Messages
781
Re: Blower

I usually leave mine running. I figure the more fresh air I can get into the hot engine compartment the better.
 

seaboo

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 8, 2008
Messages
300
Re: Blower

However, I do NOT leave the blower on at a fuel stop. They (supposedly) can draw in the fumes and then you DO have a bilge full of fumes to clear out before cranking. I shut mine off when taking fuel, then do the 3 min. startup run before cranking.
 
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