Engine compartment venting

[dLj]

Only if you don't want to blow up.

I think someone told me the biggest cause of fires/explosions were with gasoline engines and not running the blower correctly. But I'm a diesel guy - never wanted a sailboat with a gasoline engine nor owned one... Hence - I have no direct knowledge...

dj

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

But I'm a diesel guy - never wanted a sailboat with a gasoline engine

Same here. All I have is a theoretical knowledge and what I'm questioning is, "Why do you need an inlet vent ?" The underside of the engine is in communication to the bilge area so isn't that the preferable source of air into the engine compartment ? There are an infinite number of ways for air to get into the engine compartment without a separate inlet hose.

I run my engine along with a cooling exhaust fan and nobody seems to be short of air :

And finally, given the internal friction of the inlet hose, I would have to doubt it contributes anything in the way of air flow into the engine compartment for removing gasoline vapours after refueling.

Anybody else have a small gasoline engine and does it have an air inlet to the engine compartment ?

 

[fred1diver]

I believe the inlet is so that when you are moving forward it pushes air in, so kind of passive but helps move air.
At least that is my understanding and it explains why one is pointing forward and one backwards

 

[dLj]

I have a vented engine compartment - not sure why it was originally installed, it's always been a diesel. My air intake is forward of the engine compartment and the exhaust is aft. Currently I use it mainly for cooling as I generate almost 200 amps when charging.

dj