I/O Boat Question about Blower or Exaust issue...?

Question

Just got a I/O Mercrusier Boat. Never had a I/O before. There are Two White Tubes coming from my motor to the outside of my boat and a friend told me they are the "blower". They are supposed to get the fuems out from the motor while running. Although they are not hooked to anything...just laying around. What are they and what do I do? Where do I look for info on them? Help!

Answer 1

There should be an electric "blower" hooked to one of the tubes. It is like an inline fan that blows the air out of the engine compartment to vent any dangerous fumes before you start the engine or are operating at idle speed or have the engine running but are not moving. When travelling at operating speed, the vents that the hoses are connected to should scavenge air through the engine compartment. One brings fresh air in and the other exhausts air out. You should always run the blower for 5 min. before starting the engine and especially after fueling. It is also prudent to open the engine hatch and do a sniff test to make sure there are not concentrated fuel vapors in the engine compartment.

Answer 2

WallT and Stewpid have parts of the story........if the tubes are attached to some sort of louver on the outside, maybe one pointing forward and one aft, then natural air flow over the boat will circulate air......

if they aren't attached to anything AND THERE ISNT A SEPARATE ELECTRICAL BLOWER, WITH A SWITCH MARKED BILGE BLOWER OR BILGE EXHAUST,, probably with a flexible duct running from the very bottom of the bilge to the outside
Stop.
Step away from the boat.
NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER turn on ANYTHING electrical....engine starting motor, A/C, bilge pump radio... unless you have run the blower first for at least 5 minutes. Gasoline vapors are heavier than air and sink to the bottom of the bilge.

One cup of gasoline when vaporized is a 1/4 stick of dynamite just waiting to blow you sideways and ruin your day.

Bad Things Happen when there is a fuel leak,,,,even a very small one over time and fumes build up.

Get someone who knows boats to look at your set up. The local US CG Auxiliary will do a free "off the books" inspection for you and tell you what you need to do.....

Answer 3

they are a natural ventilation system. the forward motion of the boat causes air to flow in and out of the compartment. the blower should be connected to a different hose.