Bilge pump problem

[Kimosabe]

Aloha my packing gland is need of replacement, hoping to put a drip less in as soon as I dry dock. So for the moment there is more water coming in than I like and my bilge pump is not working. The pump runs when I hit the switch and if I put my hand over the hose at the start where the water is being sucked up it builds suction but the level of water dose not go down. I've checked the filter near the start of the hose the rest of it is hard to get to. Hoping for a trick or something that would tell me the hose is clogged before I stand on my head for a hour to find out. I am open to all advice thanks.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Bilge pump problem

sounds like you have a bad pump, or debris on the intake screen

your going to have to stand on your head for an hour

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bilge pump problem

Hoping for a trick or something that would tell me the hose is clogged before I stand on my head for a hour to find out. I am open to all advice thanks.

Ayuh,.... Blow out the line from outside the hull, inwards....
Maybe ya can dislodge the problem...

 

[steelespike]

Re: Bilge pump problem

Has the pump worked previously? If the electric connection is reversed the pump won't pump.

 

[Kimosabe]

Re: Bilge pump problem

Thanks for the tips. The pump worked for a year running every 6 to 9 hours and more frequently when the motor is running it quit on a ruff night about 60 miles out to sea hafe way into a trip to Honolulu from my island (long night) so it could of burned out. When buige pumps die will the still build pressure? By pressure I mean it sucks on my palm.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Bilge pump problem

if it was running every 6-9 hours, there has been a leak for a while. I would fix the problem and replace the bilge pump.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Bilge pump problem

60 miles offshore and only one bilge pump? Does anyone else see a problem with this set-up?

Listen, don't take offense but this isn't something you play around with!! What kind of boat and what size? Also what kind of pump is it and gph and how is it plumbed??

 

[flashback]

Re: Bilge pump problem

You also may be getting air into the pickup hose somewhere, try tightening the clamp where the hose connects to the pump, also check for cracks in the hose itself.......