cleaning the bilge

[agallant80]

Mine is filthy, some small leaves from a tree I brushed up against made its way down there and its pretty ugly now. I have vaccumed them out but they left stains. My worry is about getting all of the connectors and what not wet. Any advice?

 

[skydiveD30571]

I plan on cleaning mine here soon too. From what I've read, people say to put the plug in and add some Simple Green and water, then go boating. The sloshing around is supposed to free up the grime.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I had some power steering fluid in my bilge after this weekend's boating (I forgot to put the power steering cap on after adding some fluid :facepalm: ). With boat on the trailer, I put in the plug, added some dishwashing liquid and hot water, and went for a drive. When I got back, I drained the bilge and rinse it out. Looks pretty good.

 

[Splat]

Dishwashing soap and a few pockets of ice. Then go for a drive. The ice will help scrub it or for ya. Works great in black and gret water tanks too.

 

[agallant80]

Ok maybe saying bilge was inaccurate. Its the entire engine compartment. Hot water heater, holding tanks, where the battries are etc. The whole thigns needs to be scrubbed down. I am just afraid that if I take a garden hose, brush and bucket of soppy water to it I will some how cause electrical damage or crate corrosion. Any thoughts on that? I know people wash the engines in their car and its fine. I am thinking if I do this on a nice hot day and leave open to dry I may be OK.

 

[tpenfield]

Yea, I have used all sorts of stuff and methods to clean the bilge, including a pressure washer. Sort of depends on what is making it dirty, stains, grease, grime, etc. I just try to avoid saturating the electrical stuff.

 

[Home Cookin']

Stains in the bilge and engine box? The Horror! The Horror!

 

[smokeonthewater]

I use a pressure washer...... Not gently either... I blast the heck out of everything (within reason) don't be skeered

 

[mr 88]

The bilge should be cleaned if possible when on land.After it's cleaned throw a couple bumper style oil obsorbers in the bilge making sure they don't interfere with your bilge pump.Throwing cleaner down in the bilge and then dumping overboard is complete pollution and I have been guilty of that as well, decades ago.

 

[agallant80]

Stains in the bilge and engine box? The Horror! The Horror!

Well yeah but the boat is only 1.5 years old. My ADD will make me upgrade sooner or later so I would like to keep it as nice as I can.

 

[jestor68]

How about Bio-Kleen bilge cleaner? Just google it. It won't even kill your grass.

 

[dingbat]

Buy on of the commercial bilge cleaners. I use star-bright bilge cleaner. Pour it in the bilge along with a several gallons of water and go for a cruise..or two. Drain and hose out when you get home.

I wouldn't worry about the electronics. Electronics in bilge areas are expected to get wet and are designed to accommodate. If not, you have more problems than a dirty bilge to contend with

 

[25thmustang]

Never had issues when scrubbing and washing out the bilge in any if the boats .

 

[H20Rat]

I wouldn't worry about the electronics. Electronics in bilge areas are expected to get wet and are designed to accommodate. If not, you have more problems than a dirty bilge to contend with

Depends on the electronics! I have two audio amps mounted in my engine compartment/bilge. I usually cover them with a trashbag before breaking out the pressure washer.