Bilge question

ppkaprince98

ppkaprince98

New Member
Sep 1, 2011
125
: Hudsonville, Mi (Port: Grand Haven, MI)
Boat Info
: 2004 340 Sundancer
Engines
: Twin 8.1L V-drive mercs
Bilge "pump" question

So I went to test my bilge yesterday because i wanted to make sure it worked properly. So I filled the bottom with a bunch of water and the bilge did nothing. I finally realized that the breaker tripped so I figured something wasnt working correctly. So I unscrewed the float switch and bilge from the bottom of the boat and noticed they were full of gunk, after I cleaned them I noticed the bilge would not spin manually. So I did some seaching here and found that if you dont use your bilge they will dry up and lock up. So I got some WD-40 and sprayed all around inside the pump and finally it broke loose and when I activate the float switch it comes on and pumps out the water. Here is my issue, once the water gets down low the bilge still trips the breaker. Its almost like when there is no load on the pump it trips, is that normal or should I replace the bilge pump?
 
Last edited:
in short ...IMO...yes
replace it and the float switch
if there is ANY question on the dependability of a bilge pump...replace it... cheaper than raising your boat from the bottom
 
ppkaprince98 said:
After I replace it, what should I do to maintain it from siezing up again? Just run some water through it every now and then?
Click to expand...

That shouldn't be necessary. My pumps have lasted years without getting wet. If you feel the need though, by all means run some through it. It won't hurt the pump.
 
Someone told me to periodically spray a hose in my bilge around the "cage" area that houses the pump switch. The theory is to loosen any gunk / debris that might get lodged in there during normal boating. With that said, the switches will fail anyway due to the newer design with no mercury in them. So check your switch operation regularly!
 
Teachable moment: The bilge is the lowermost compartment (space) in your boat. The pump that de-waters this space is called a bilge pump. Your bilge is working just fine, it's your bilge pump that is giving you trouble. :grin:
 
Sea Gull said:
Teachable moment: The bilge is the lowermost compartment (space) in your boat. The pump that de-waters this space is called a bilge pump. Your bilge is working just fine, it's your bilge pump that is giving you trouble. :grin:
Click to expand...

And when you replace it, put in a larger volume than the OEM pump. Bigger is better!
 
edsmax said:
Someone told me to periodically spray a hose in my bilge around the "cage" area that houses the pump switch. The theory is to loosen any gunk / debris that might get lodged in there during normal boating. With that said, the switches will fail anyway due to the newer design with no mercury in them. So check your switch operation regularly!
Click to expand...

I ran some Simple green into he bilge the fillied it with a hose until the pump came and excersized the pump yesterday..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,177
Messages
1,427,986
Members
61,086
Latest member
MrWebster
Back
Top