Bilge pump help!

[Dawg'sLife93]

I found something on my boat that doesn't work. The Bilge pump isn't working. I just makes a kind of clicking sound and the light on my dash flashes. I am think its broke/seized up and should replace it, if I can find and get to the dang thing.

What are y'alls thinkings?




Just for the record, I kinda wish I had a small block, the 454 doesn't leave much room to work. LOL


Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Bilge pump help!

Is there water in the bilge? It won't run if no water. Pump is usually placed in most inaccessible place under the engine

 

[Dawg'sLife93]

Re: Bilge pump help!

No, there is no water in it currently. It has the automatic bilge, but it also has a switch on the dash. I am understanding that it comes on when I turn the dash switch on, whether water is in there or not, so you can test your pump before you get on the water and sink it.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Bilge pump help!

it should run manually even if there is not water to pump.

Also, you can pull up the float switch to test the automatic function.

tell us a bit more about your boat, etc and maybe post a pic or two of the bilge & pump.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Bilge pump help!

You may be right- I know my pump works if water in bilge, but does not work when I turn on at the switch. So either that's ok or we both have a problem!
Let's see what the other members say.

 

[Dawg'sLife93]

Re: Bilge pump help!

My boat is a 1990 Cobalt Condurre 223. Its got a 7.4L 454/ bravo 1

My numbers are

Tran- 0D312529
Eng- 0C769578
Drive-0C884355

I can't find the bilge pump and float switch at this moment. I have to take a few pieces of the engine compartment out to see what is in there. I'm waiting for my driver to charge. Soon as it's charged, I'll take the engine compartment apart to see what in there.

 

[Dawg'sLife93]

Re: Bilge pump help!

Sorry for the blurry pic, it's the best I could get. It looks like a Rule Gold series, then there is another little box in front of it, It might be my float switch, not sure.

 

[Dawg'sLife93]

Re: Bilge pump help!

Luckily, It doesn't look to hard to get out, once I remove the battery and battery box.

 

[Dawg'sLife93]

Re: Bilge pump help!

Should I put my plug in and fill it up with water, to see it the Float switch works? Or, should I just order new parts?

 

[rbh]

Re: Bilge pump help!

Should I put my plug in and fill it up with water, to see it the Float switch works? Or, should I just order new parts?

Ok, so if I am seeing this right, there is a crud load of old oil/grease, a couple of screws/bolts and who knows what in the bilge, did it by chance suck up anything and seize it?
Take it out clean and inspect it, try and move the impeller by hand/screw driver/etc.
If it moves plug it in and see if it runs then run it for a bit, if its totaly seized time for new.

 

[Dawg'sLife93]

Re: Bilge pump help!

I just dropped the screw when I was trying to climb my big butt in there for pics. The grease and grim was there before I started. Thanks for the heads up, I just figured if they stop, just replace, I didn't know it was a clean and repair part.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Bilge pump help!

.... I just figured if they stop, just replace, I didn't know it was a clean and repair part.

Some bilge pumps have a replaceable cartridge, you unscrew it from the base by twisting it a quarter turn. Can't tell if yours is like that or not.

If you don't mind putting some water in your boat (only needs to be a couple inches above the bottom of the bilge pump) it would certainly be a good idea to test it if you have any doubt. And depending on what kind of float switch you have it might be able to be actuated by just lifting the float.

 

[airshot]

Re: Bilge pump help!

If I may suggest....you might want to install another pump so you have two..just in case. I have two pumps each connected to a different battery. When it comes to boats in the water, just can't be to sure.

Airshot

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Bilge pump help!

...The Bilge pump isn't working. I just makes a kind of clicking sound and the light on my dash flashes. I am think its broke/seized up and should replace it, if I can find and get to the dang thing...

If the Pump is making noise when you activate it without any water; Why do you think it is NOT Working?
What where you expecting it to do?

And, by all means, keep the area under the engine free of debris.
The little pumps, pump water just fine, not as well with solids.

 

[Dawg'sLife93]

Re: Bilge pump help!

If the Pump is making noise when you activate it without any water; Why do you think it is NOT Working?
What where you expecting it to do?

And, by all means, keep the area under the engine free of debris.
The little pumps, pump water just fine, not as well with solids.

I think it should hum or something, not just click and drag my voltmeter from 13.5 down to 8. I will clean the bilge out tomorrow, I've only been working on the boat 3 days. It's a new to me boat and 23 years old, give me a little time to clean things up. I know I have to order impeller kit, want to find all the parts I need and do it all at once.




I asked this question in another thread, but haven't got an answer, so I'll ask it here too. Are Mallory and Sierra impellers the same quality?

 

[kjsAZ]

Re: Bilge pump help!

I asked this question in another thread, but haven't got an answer, so I'll ask it here too. Are Mallory and Sierra impellers the same quality?

They are which is the reason why I don't use either of them as friends had bad experience with both, MICJ (made in China junk). The OEM parts are only a tad more expensive and never gave me grieve. The impeller is a thing you don't want to mess with. If it dis-integrates when you are out on the lake pieces can go into the engine and cleaning that out, well FUN!

 

[BonairII]

Re: Bilge pump help!

Get yourself TWO bilge pumps. An automatic and a manual. The auto will make you aware that water is entering the boat....and the manual can be turned on if the auto pump becomes overwhelmed.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Bilge pump help!

Replace your existing pump regardless of whether it's working or not. You have no idea of its history...and a bilge pump can save your life and/or boat someday.

Get yourself TWO bilge pumps. An automatic and a manual. The auto will make you aware that water is entering the boat....and the manual can be turned on if the auto pump becomes overwhelmed.

 

[Dawg'sLife93]

Re: Bilge pump help!

What size pumps do you think I should install? 1100 gph main and 800 gph kicker or 2- 2500 main and 800-1100 kicker?


Thanks everyone for the advice and trouble shooting ideas!

 

[1216bandit]

Re: Bilge pump help!

I read an interesting piece on what size pump to go with. For some reason most people think that a small boat only needs a small pump, and that is WRONG! A small boat needs a big pump because it only takes a small amount of water or small leak to cause big problems. Bottom line is this...on a boat your size you need to get as much water out as quick as possible in an emergency situation, so go big. If I can find the link to the article I will post it.