How Many Bilge Pumps?

[JeffM]

Actually I'm pretty sure there are two pumps in the engine room...what I don't know is where the primary pump is....and the bilge layout drawing in the manual only shows one.

I was cleaning the bilge on my 2000 260DA, and noticed the water getting a bit deep. The forward bilge pump is in front of the engine, and when I checked the float switch it worked properly. When I turned on the bilge pump switch at the helm, I could hear a second pump running -- and it was pumping water overboard -- but it wasn't the forward pump. I looked as best I could under the motor but didn't see another pump.

From past discussions I thought the pumps -- or at least the switches -- were stacked? Where is the pump/switch likely to be? They wouldn't put something as likely to need service as a bilge pump under the motor -- would they???

Thanks!
Jeff

 

[Sublimetime]

If its the lowest spot in the bilge they would. They dont have to repair it.

 

[JeffM]

Okaaay. I'm almost afraid to ask the next question, but...so how *do* you repair it? Is it possible to get under the engine? Or would you have to pull the engine?

 

[Four Suns]

You trade it in...

 

[JeffM]

I'd love to. Unfortunately, the Admiral is not on board with that idea yet. Something about college educations in a couple of years....

 

[Hampton]

I replaced mine in my '97 250. It was under the engine, and a tight squeeze, but it's completely do-able. Place some old towels/blankets in there, have a friend nearby to get tools and pull you out, then turn upside down and switch it out. You could move it to a more convenient location (1 or 2 feet forward). It may not be in the very bottom of the bilge, but it'll still keep the boat from sinking, if it would have before.