Spark Arrestor-Clean or Replace-gctid377739

[MDR3055]

Hi everyone!!

My question is just as the title states. Best I can tell the engines have the original arrestors on there. Cleaning these up is part of my maintenance list for prepping the boat. I generally clean them with just carb/choke cleaner, spray generously and let dry. Is it ever worth replacing these parts? Would replacing them let the engine breathe a tad bit easier?

Thanks!!

[2850Bounty]

I typically clean these with a degreaser, and then rinse them with hot water, and then gently blast them with compressed air.

They will dry out on their own also.

There are some flame arrestors that I think are too restrictive. In that case, about the only thing that we can do, is to replace them with a flame arrestor that has more area to it.

Either taller, or larger in diameter, or both.

The Dog Gone things are rediculously expensive for what they are. :thumb

What I wish that I could come with, would be a ducting system that would allow for bringing the incoming air in from more closely to the inlet air louvers.

This would bring some cooler air into the engines!

.

[Guest]

Assuming your spark arrestor is original equipment, i.e is about the diameter of a 45 record and looks from the side like a stack of thin metal layers with little separators between them, then unless they have been damaged by bending or denting, only cleaning is neccessary. I usually just use a degreaser and water to clean mine followed by quick blow with a compressor to dry and good to go!

[Mocoondo]

2850Bounty wrote:
I typically clean these with a degreaser, and then rinse them with hot water, and then gently blast them with compressed air.

They will dry out on their own also.

This is what I do although I use my parts washer and a brush, then compressed air to dry.

[2850Bounty]

And when the wife is away, we sneak these into the................... (Hint Hint.... it's a kitchen appliance that has a water tight door and cycle control!)

But you did not hear this on the BOC!

.

[MDR3055]

Thanks everyone!

Rick- Yes, ridiculously expensive!! I also like your thoughts on grabbing air from near the louvers. Hell, why not use a NACA duct and scat tube and get a little ram air too??

What are your thoughts on the OEM arrestor being restrictive? Is it worth picking up aftermarket ones?

[talman]

Cascade is a natural de-greaser. Don't ask, don't tell.

[2850Bounty]

talman wrote:
Cascade is a natural de-greaser. Don't ask, don't tell.

And it doesn't leave streaks.... right?

[Guest]

I used to use the dishwasher when I was trailering, since it was convenient. I'd tell the admiral, and also throw in whatever other dirty parts needed cleaning.

Now I just use the Castrol purple and a garden hose there at the marina.

[driz]

talman wrote:
Cascade is a natural de-greaser. Don't ask, don't tell.

[SIZE]3 wrote:
[COLOR]#ff0000 wrote:
Boy, you got that one right.......................[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[itsabowtime2]

2850Bounty wrote:
And when the wife is away, we sneak these into the................... (Hint Hint.... it's a kitchen appliance that has a water tight door and cycle control!)

But you did not hear this on the BOC!

.

We just had to replace ours. Vicky would kick my a$$ if I put anything like that into it.

[2850Bounty]

itsabowtime2 wrote:
Vicky would kick my a$$ if I put anything like that into it.

Phil.............

[Guest]

I use a marine filter from K&N. Supposedly, they have much better airflow than stock therefore increasing power by up to 15%. I can't confirm or deny this, but the fact is that they are cheaper than stock, last forever, and I've had absolutely nothing bad to say about mine.

http://www.knfilters.com/marine/flamearrester.htm

[dktool]

Easy Off works great too, and I prefer the lemon scent.

Works great on the stuff that won't fit in the kitchen appliance that shall remain nameless.

Not that I have ever tried to fit a cylinder head into one, just saying.

[2850Bounty]

dktool wrote:
Easy Off works great too, and I prefer the lemon scent.

You would!

Come on.... you had that com'n from your poke at me the other day! :kidding