Repair Bilge Pump Four Winns 190 Horizon

[tbeyers]

Good people,

My mooring cover blew off and my hull and engine compartment became filled with rain water during a bad storm. The factory installed bilge pump was completely submerged. I drained the water completely out the back drain and let the area dry for several hours. However, the five amp fuse to the bilge pump keeps blowing. I'm letting it dry further the past two weeks. Before I continue to replace fuses is there a chance that it will dry out and be ok or has the unit been compromised by being under water and need to be replaced? Is the a way to check the unit for shorts? I'm an electronic technician and know how to use a volt/ohm meter. How difficult and expensive are these to replace? I'm mechanically inclined and can do easier tasks. However, is this more complicated than an average person can handle and should I take it in to be repaired (requires taking the boat off the lift and trailering it to a place some miles away). Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Repair Bilge Pump Four Winns 190 Horizon

Good people,

My mooring cover blew off and my hull and engine compartment became filled with rain water during a bad storm. The factory installed bilge pump was completely submerged. I drained the water completely out the back drain and let the area dry for several hours. However, the five amp fuse to the bilge pump keeps blowing. I'm letting it dry further the past two weeks. Before I continue to replace fuses is there a chance that it will dry out and be ok or has the unit been compromised by being under water and need to be replaced? Is the a way to check the unit for shorts? I'm an electronic technician and know how to use a volt/ohm meter. How difficult and expensive are these to replace? I'm mechanically inclined and can do easier tasks. However, is this more complicated than an average person can handle and should I take it in to be repaired (requires taking the boat off the lift and trailering it to a place some miles away). Thanks in advance for all your help.

Bilge pumps are generally inexpensive, very simple 12 volt pumps(Walmart $10K)...some automatic with probes and many not automatic with a switch on the dashboard(like mine)....Your pump motor probably got wet or the impeller has some trash in it not allowing it to turn and blowing the fuse. Don't be afraid of it, just remove, inspect, replace, as needed. It's about as complex as a flashlight!

 

[eng208]

Re: Repair Bilge Pump Four Winns 190 Horizon

Bilge pumps are generally inexpensive, very simple 12 volt pumps(Walmart $10K)...some automatic with probes and many not automatic with a switch on the dashboard(like mine)....Your pump motor probably got wet or the impeller has some trash in it not allowing it to turn and blowing the fuse. Don't be afraid of it, just remove, inspect, replace, as needed. It's about as complex as a flashlight!

I hope they are not 10K dollars. That means 10,000.00. I know you meant $10.00.

Bilge pumps tolerate being underwater. That is how they operate. It is probably just a wire connection that has corroded and touching something it shouldn't be. Pop the cover off and spin the impeller with your finger. With no power of course. Then put a fuse in and see if it works.

 

[nlain]

Re: Repair Bilge Pump Four Winns 190 Horizon

I had to replace my pump, both fuses were blown, I replaced and hit manual switch, pump ran but made strange noise. got a new one and replaced, the hardest part of the job is getting to it, at least in my boat. If you have easy access it is a breeze to change. Get the same pump, snap the old one out of it's base and snap the new one in place, cut the old wires high enough to be out of the water and connect the new pump and you are ready to go. If you have a separate float switch check it to be sure it is working freely and not shorted.