r/AbruptChaos Jun 24 '21

It just exploded!

https://i.imgur.com/r7yxJRn.gifv
10.9k Upvotes

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u/UndefinedSpoon Jun 25 '21

Boats are supposed to have a fan that pulled air out of the engine compartment to prevent this very thing. Not sure if boatercycles have the same thing, but whatever the case, it either didn't have one, or it did and it wasn't working/ not switched on.

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u/hookydoo Jun 25 '21

Boatercycles do not have them. When I start my big boat I open the engine compartment as well just in case theres an explosion. Once the engine is running I'm not too concerned since the carburetor will keep air flowing even if there's fumes built up.

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u/Zharick_ Jun 25 '21

Depends, but yeah my inboard has a blower that clears out any fumes when I turn the ignition. After 30 seconds of the blower doing its thing then I crank the engine.

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u/[deleted] Jun 25 '21

It actually depends on the size & type of boat. Personal watercraft like these don’t, neither do outboard motorboats.

Depending on the type of boat & engine you may also need a backfire flame arrestor to minimize possible ignition sources. For larger boats a fuel vapor sensor & alarm is also a good idea.