Engine bilge pump's capacity to remove water

[baz]

Today was time to test my bilge pump automatic operation. I got out the hose and started to squirt water carefully into the engine bilge. At first I didn't see water squirting out the side aft-most hull port... then all of a sudden it happened. The quantity and force of the water coming out really surprised me as the little bilge pump is so small... no matter, wonderful to know the pump worked as it should and with such gusto. 😀

 

[nzfisher]

I try to check this every time my boat is on the hard with a 5 gallon bucket of hot water with some detergent in it to remove some of the fuel and oil that accumulates in the bilge. It is a good feeling to know that it works. Hopefully it helps to keep the check valve free as well.

 

[knotflying]

Another way to check just incase the pump or sensor is bad and now you have a bunch of water in the bilge to remove manually is; If you have the sensor type of switch there are two small circles over and under each other on the large flat side of the sensor. You can touch those two circles with your fingers and the pump should engage after about 10 seconds. If it does work then remove the pump to make sure no debris are in the impeller area and you are done. If the pump does not go on, hit the manual override to make sure the pump is working. If it is working then you have a bad sensor. If it still does not work check the fuse. If the fuse is good check to make sure power is going to the pump. If there is power then chances are you have a bad pump.