Starting The Engine - Sea Ray 290 Sundancer Owner's Manual

6. S E
TARTING THE
! DAN GER
Gasoline vapors can explode
Before starting the engines, open engine compartment
and check for gasoline smell.
• If you smell gasoline, do not start engine; get
everyone off the boat and get trained help to fi nd
and fi x the problem.
If there is no gasoline smell, perform checks
specifi ed by manual, then and only then, close engine
compartment and run blower for at least 4 minutes
before starting.
The engine operation and maintenance manual
furnished with your boat describes pre-start and
starting procedures. We urge you to thoroughly read
and understand your engine manual.
Listed below are basic pre-start and starting
reminders. These are not a substitute for the engine
manufacturer's specifi c recommendations.
Open the engine compartment and check for the
smell of gasoline.
• IF YOU SMELL GASOLINE,
g e t eve r yo n e o f f t h e
boat, do not operate any
electrical switches or light
any matches, lighters,
etc. Get trained help to
find and fix the problem
before starting the engine
or operating any switches
on the boat.
• If you DO NOT smell gasoline...
1. Check all fl uid levels and
a n y o t h e r n e c e s s a r y
checks as specified in
Section 8 and in the engine
manual.
3.4
S 3 • U
ECTION
NGINE
(F . 3.4.1)
IG
(F . 3.4.2)
IG
Y B
SING OUR
2. Check that water level in bilge is minimal. Verify
that the bilge pump is operating by turning the
bilge pump switch to MANUAL and listening for
the pump running and check to see that bilge
water is being pumped overboard.
3. Close the engine compart-
ment and tur n on the
batter y switch located
under the port seat aft
cushion.
4. Check fuel level. Be sure
you have enough fuel for
your trip. Remember the
"1/3 Rule": Use no more
than 1/3 of your fuel for
outbound trip; use 1/3 of
the fuel for return trip; keep
1/3 for reserve in case of
emergency.
5. Run bilge blowers for at least 4 minutes before
attempting to start engine
Unlike your automobile engine which is naturally
ventilated even when it is not moving, your boat
engine compartment (the bilge) does not have
suffi cient natural ventilation when the boat is not
moving or moving slowly. That is why the engine
compartment must have forced ventilation, using
the bilge blower, to remove potentially explosive
gasoline vapors, before the engine is started
and when the boat is moving slowly.
Because it may be diffi cult to remember to turn
on the bilge blower every time you slow down
the boat, it is recommended that the bilge blower
run all the time when the engines are running.
6. Place drive unit in full
DOWN/IN position.
OAT
(F . 3.4.3)
IG
BOTH
1
GUEST
OFF
(F . 3.4.4)
IG
1/2
1/4
E
(F . 3.4.5)
IG
290 Sundancer
2
3/4
F
®