C-26 aft bilge pump

[Mr Beasley]

Why is there a check valve on the aft bilge pump and not the forward (2011 C-26) and do I need it? Every weekend I have to disassemble the four screws in order to free up the rubber flapper which is stuck closed preventing normal operation.

 

[knotflying]

Do you think it may be installed backwards? What are the symptoms, will it not pump water out?

 

[Mr Beasley]

The check valve is installed correctly.... the flapper is made of rubber and I believe that the non use during the week causes the rubber flapper to stick to the plastic body, that and the head pressure on the downstream side of the check creates to much force for the pump to overcome. Once the pressure is relieved and the flapper pried from the body and reassembled, the check valve works properly all weekend, but, next weekend it's stuck again.
I can buy another check valve, but do I need it is the question.

 

[knotflying]

I hardly think that a week idle would cause it to stick from non-use. have you checked the flapper for pliability? Did you try reversing the flapper? Did you clean everything internally from crud?

 

[ronnieg]

The check valve is installed in the aft bilge pump to prevent it from cycling when the pump quits and water backflows into the bilge. It sounds more like your check valve flapper is getting to stiff.

 

[knotflying]

Just to add to the previous post. The high bilge pump does not need the check valve because when it goes off the water that drains back will go to a much lower level and hence the pump will not recycle. It is important that you periodically check the operation of that pump and the sensor for the high water alarm. Remember, that the forward pump is going on because the water got way too high and if that pump does not work you could be in big trouble.

 

[Mr Beasley]

Thank you. Replacing check valve.

 

[bertnbb]

The check valve is installed in the aft bilge pump to prevent it from cycling when the pump quits and water backflows into the bilge. It sounds more like your check valve flapper is getting to stiff.

Sounds like that is what is happening to me.
The pump will engage but no water goes overboard.
I jet water down there from a hose to mix it up a bit and it starts pumping.
I originally suspected an air lock, but the stiff flapper makes more sense now.

Thanks - BB

 

[Scuffy]

On our C-Dory we had a check valve on the aft bilge pump. It stuck all the time. We just removed it with no ill effects. On the C-Dory the aft bilge outlet was kind of low. Hence the reason for the check valve; in coming water. I didn't see any cycling occurring because the check valve is no longer there. Try running without it for awhile. Put a piece of pipe that can't corrode in it's place If you notice ill effects replace the check valve. For me having something that could cause the bilge pump not to function was something I did not need. To each their own.
D.D.

 

[CAPTCRUNCH]

A couple of months ago, I visited my R-27 that has been in the water all winter at a dock equipped with a de-icer. As I boarded, I could hear a small motor running. I found it to be the lower bilge pump, which was running constantly but discharging no water from a bilge that had more water in it than I usually see. The check valve was keeping the discharge hose full of water which froze in our spell of temperatures in the teens, blocking the hose and rendering the pump useless. I pulled the fuse, hoping the upper pump would do better as needed. A few days of warmer weather and the problem disappeared. The check valve comes out before next winter. So, where did all the water come from? All the cockpit drain gutters were full of ice and overflowed into the bilge. Daffodils are in bloom, so this issue moves to the back burner for now.

 

[Mr Beasley]

It's been a couple seasons now since I replaced the check valve with a new one and that was not the issue, I'll say again the flapper sticks to the plastic body and the head pressure is too great for the pump to overcome. This only happens during periods of non use, like a week or longer. Daily it would work fine. I removed the check valve two seasons ago with no ill effects, no cycling. I had originally thought the forward pump and the aft pump were on the same discharge pipe hence the need for the check valve but this is not the case.... so I pulled it and used a piece of plastic pipe.