Suzuki Engine Covers vs Air Intake flow.
I got the cover out for the new DF150 over the weekend and was surprised to see there's no vented section for the air intake.
It's the genuine Suzuki type, light grey colour.
I'd seen them from a distance on other boats before and noticed it was all the same colour etc, but assumed there was a thinner, breathable fabric section over the air intake - but it's all the same stuff, which is quite thick sunbrella fabric.
It's breathable, but still a bit restrictive of flow - so I can't see how it wouldn't affect performance in the upper revs when the engine needs to suck a lot more air.
It's a bit weird that Suzuki would go to the trouble of designing a gaping big air intake and supply a genuine cover that restricts air flow in some way.
The other type I've seen are the black ones, which have a mesh section over the intake - which would be essential as the black ones don't look like they'd breathe at all.
Anyone noted any issues ?
nev
Posts: 193
Date Joined: 04/02/09
Commented
on the same thing to a guy that had a new tub in Carnarvon 6 months ago Dizzy. Very noticeable even when the engine was idling. Interestesting to see if there is any difference in engine performance/ fuel consumption with that fitted cover?
Dizzy
Posts: 753
Date Joined: 21/02/11
Thanks Nev. When you say
Thanks Nev.
When you say "very noticeable even when engine was idling", what was it you noticed ?
Because the flow is very low at idle I didn't think it'd be much of an issue until higher RPM's.
Then again, a DF150/175 is almost 3L engline capacity, which @ 650rpm equates to ~975 litres of air per minute at idle for a 4-stroke.
My main concern would be if it got wet, as most wet fabrics hardly breathe at all .....
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
I can see how it would remain
I can see how it would remain wet sucking 975lpm either!
Maybe its tight enough that it will shed water down it and ouyt the cowl when its a lot of water, and air goes through it fine.
Dizzy
Posts: 753
Date Joined: 21/02/11
Yeah, I think the fabric is
Yeah,
I think the fabric is pretty water repellant - so may not be an issue, especially if it's nice and taut.
However, I just got a PM about how the covers appear to suck in to the intake due to the flow - even at idle - which shows there is obviously some resistance.
So if there's water going over that surface, then some of it is going to be sucked through the fabric.
Even if it ends up on the inside of the cowl, it still means the water has been plugging the breathabilty for a moment.
Then you start to think of salt getting left in the voids when it dries, which would restrict even more as time went on.
Might get it modded I reckon, or flog it and try and find a source for the other type.
Anyone know where to find the covers with the vented/mesh section ?
Dizz.
Dizzy
Posts: 753
Date Joined: 21/02/11
Unreal
Just looking on ebay for a vented cover and saw an ad for the sunbrella type.
Then saw this - pissed off, as the info on the Genuine covers say they can be used when running.
"The covers are primarly meant for storage and transport. There are no air vents on these cover. Leaving it on could likely hinder engine performance unless you sewed in a air vent."
Unreal - I've seen a lot of Zukes on the water running the genuine covers.
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Thats pretty crap =(
Thats pretty crap =(
Dizzy
Posts: 753
Date Joined: 21/02/11
You're not wrong - what a
You're not wrong - what a f'ing joke.
I already bought a cheaper one for covering it when it was stored !
Oh well, at least it looks better and I can say
"Ooooh - look at my flash, screen-printed, performance sucking engine cover !"