Bilge pumps not working

[Gvellia]

I have a 2021 Cutwater 30CB. Both of my bridge pumps are not working. I have tried to use manual switch at the helm and the automatic function not working either. I have checked the fuses for both pumps and they are good, also the fuse on the engine battery which is good as well. I have checked the aft pump for debris, but cannot see or find the other pump. Any thoughts on possible issues and location of other pump would be greatly appreciated.

 

[davidr]

Front bilge pump is under the front of the engine….you need really long arms to get to it….It is also were the high water sensor is located. We have had to replace the aft pump on our 2017 CB30. But it was working on manual mode. Wish I could provide guidance on troubleshooting the simultaneous failure!

 

[SJI Sailor]

Assuming it is the same as 2019 ... To access the forward bilge pump, you will need to remove the access panel from the salon side. That is on the aft wall of the cabin, inside the floor compartment, next to the fresh water pump. If you have a diesel heater, the Webasto fuel pump may be mounted on it (and will have to be removed -- get absorbent fabric for the diesel that will spill, unscrew the two fuel lines and carefully bend them out of the way). The panel has four screws. The bilge pump is way down there, and replacement is really only convenient with an identically fitting pump.

As for the cause, it's hard to say. We lost two simultaneously due -- as far as we could tell -- to different causes after 3 years. They have both been fine for 6 months since replacing. So it might be random.

If you do move the Webasto fuel pump temporarily it will take 3-4x tries to restart it until it re-primes.

 

[Dcsqatar]

I assume your pumps are Rule Fully Automatic bilge pumps. If so, they cycle every 2.5 mins or so to see if there is current draw (meaning water is being pumped) and stay on until the current draw falls. This is in lieu of a float switch. If it is not working either automatically or manually (by the dash switch) I would try connecting it directly from the battery and see if it works. if your boat is similar to my R29, accessing the aft pump is simplest. If so, I think it would be unlikely to be the dash switch/circuitry, but possibly a poor power or ground connection. However the fact that both pumps failed simultaneously is interesting. My two pumps are wired independently (best I recall) but maybe they share a common lead from the battery (note bilge pumps are directly connected to the battery to increase availability).

I had one such Rule pump fail to test automatically, but still worked manually via the dash switch, after 2 years. I contacted Rule by phone and they replaced it.