Need the blower running for engine to work properly

[r3cc0s]

I'm finding a rather strange condition whereby my motor runs strong, get me to plane and pulls.... For a while and then bogs to the point where I slow down and can't get back on plane

But if I run the blower the entire time... I don't encounter this condition and can run hard for a while

Is this normal?

 

[Lumps]

Not really exactly normal. A lot of people need to run the blower or the boat won't start out on the water. The idea is the temperature and fumes in the engine bay make staring hard. I don't know if I have read of people needing to run the blower full time

I have yet to see anyone say what causes this or how to fix the root cause. Maybe this is a sign of problems with the carb? Or maybe exhaust leak? Don't know. Post back if you find a solution

 

[Chester]

You have an exhaust leak. Without the blower running, the exhaust builds up in the engine compartment and the chokes the engines.

Chester

 

[r3cc0s]

You have an exhaust leak. Without the blower running, the exhaust builds up in the engine compartment and the chokes the engines.

Chester

intrestingly, as per some troubles with the opening cooling system, my mechanic had recently just replaced the tuned pipe and exhaust manifold (leaving only the water box) but used brand new gaskets...

I drove it around alot yesterday and on occasion where I knew it was running "rich" or "choked" opening the compartment... but didn't smell or see any exhaust smoke, which should be quite consistent to the 2 stroke smoke coming out of the back of the water box by the Jet

on plane and at high speeds, none of this happens...

"Could" there be a chance that the egg carton air filters for the vents and even the blower itself be clogged being that this is a 20 year old boat?

Also can the stator allot for the blower to continually run while the Seadoo is in use without being at risk of draining the battery?

 

[Lumps]

so I think the boat can handle the blower as long as the engine(s?) are running/ the 98 sportser manual says:

160 W @ 6000 RPM
or 4 A @ 2000 RPM

I think its funny they say amps at 2000 rpm and watts at 6000 but I suspect your blower doesn't draw 4 amps. but you wont charge as fast.

the egg carton is for noise and should not cover the actual openings to the engine. maybe yours are not secured anymore and are limiting the flow of air? I don't have this style of boat anymore so I cant check, but I don't think there is anything that should get in the way of the air flow. especially on the one side without the blower.

it may make your boat louder but maybe cut back some of the egg shell near the openings?

 

[r3cc0s]

You have an exhaust leak. Without the blower running, the exhaust builds up in the engine compartment and the chokes the engines.

Chester

What is interesting is that I have noticed that upon opening the draining some "not tons" of warm water is coming out, which I believe if I look at the symptoms are attributed to likely an exhaust leak as the water also comes out.

I already winterized her, but I'll have to look for this next year and see what's going on. I did have the tuned pipe and manifold replaced with new gaskets, so maybe its down at the water box

thanks for the advice guys

 

[Chester]

Did you check all your exhaust hoses? It's most likely a hose. The gaskets rarely leak exhaust.

Chester

 

[Chester]

Did you check all your exhaust hoses? It's most likely a hose. The gaskets rarely leak exhaust.

Chester

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

I believe Chester is correct. You need to fix the exhaust leak, your bilge is filling with poisonous carbon monoxide. It's quite common and undesirable.

I never need to run my blower to make fresh air for the engine, hot restarts or any other reason. The blower is there for the sole purpose of extracting gasoline fumes that CAN collect in the bilge and create an explosion hazard and even that is not supposed to happen under normal conditions.

 

[r3cc0s]

I believe Chester is correct. You need to fix the exhaust leak, your bilge is filling with poisonous carbon monoxide. It's quite common and undesirable.

I never need to run my blower to make fresh air for the engine, hot restarts or any other reason. The blower is there for the sole purpose of extracting gasoline fumes that CAN collect in the bilge and create an explosion hazard and even that is not supposed to happen under normal conditions.

yea I'm thinking the same thing... so I'll have to pull it apart and see

Any idea typically what I should "look" out for? I mean when it was running at a glance I saw no smoke or water, but maybe it could be further at the water box... Is the clamp itself a candidate?

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

I think you may be on the right track with the water you discovered in the bilge. Or that could be a corroded freeze/welch plug in the exhaust manifold water jacket in which case it should be welded.

Some possibilities (to hopefully avoid breathing carbon monoxide):

There are a number of mechanisms you might use to discover leak points such as using a shop vac in blow mode to pressurize the exhaust system from the outlet. Wrap the vacuum pressure hose in a rag and stuff it into the exhAust outlet then climb into the bilge with a water hose or squirt bottle of very soapy water and go to town.

One exhaust hose that seems to burn through 1st, is the one that connects the expansion pipe to the watrbox, so look there. That the joint of the expansion pipe is another familiar trouble spot.

There's probably a plastic resonator assembly in the exhaust, that might be burned or cracked.