Getting stuff out of the bilge

[doke01]

Today I dropped two things in the bilge of my R25 after owning it for 4 years and never dropping anything down there before. Of course the first was a stainless steel screw from the raw water pump. The second was the plastic plug from the raw water filter. Of course I picked two things that a magnet can't pick up. Anyone have any experience getting little things out of under the engine? There is about 1.5 inches clearance at the high point and 3/4 inch at the low. I was thinking of blasting a jet of water under the engine to push them out from under.

Any pointers would be appreciated...

Doug

 

[NewMoon]

I have way too much experience with this. Almost any work involving many bolts nuts or screws seems to contribute some item to the bilge.

In addition to a small mirror on an extendable handle, a strong magnet on another, and a flourescent work light (all available among mechanic's tools), my secret weapon is a straightened coat hanger, with about 4" of each end bent to a 90 degree angle. It's long, skinny, and flexible. Once I get an idea of where the missing part is, I can usually move it with the coat hanger to a place where it's reachable. Sometimes the coat hanger will find it even when I am unable to see it with the mirror.

 

[Dale777]

Doug,

Have you tried a "claw pick up tool"? See this link for a typical example of this tool:

http://www.amazon.com/Extra-Long-Bendab ... roduct_top

 

[Zundels]

When going after dropped items in the bilge how much other "stuff" can we expect down their besides the bilge pumps? Can see where the mirrors and lights would help steer around the wires and pumps so you don't snag anything else that is important.

Thanks for the wire and tool suggestion. Don

 

[Nellie Too]

Nita and I use coat hangers for many things, wire routing, looking to pull things out of unaccessable places and the blige. The last time I had a problem was when I was changing oil and dropped the cap into the bilge under the engine. I was able to lure a young and adgile person to retrieve it for me (thank God) 😀. Maybe for small parts I would consider a air compressor with a directional valve and blow it out. Just a thought. I also use a mirror.
Bob

 

[Lobo]

I have 12" x 12" bilge cloths under the engine -- they suck up petroleum and repel water -- and I hope that when I drop things they fall onto the cloth. Removal is then easy. I learned this AFTER doing what you have just done.

When I was changing my impeller and had the cover off (and under the engine, along with a screw) I opened the thru-hull for about 15 seconds and let the water flush from the impeller housing and move the cover and screw down into the open part of the bilge. It worked. You have to be careful on the amount of water you let flow so as to not have whatever it is sucked up by the bilge pump.

It's a good excuse to get that part of the bilge squeeky clean.

I also recommend replacing the screws that hold the impeller cover. I did this on my 110 HP Yanmar. The screws from Yanmar are at least 1/4 inch long. I got some that are 1 1/2 inches long and they were so much easier to deal with. They are 5mm screws. They take an 8mm wrench. Length was not a problem in installing them.

 

[K7MXE]

Empty shop vac, garden hose and duct tape.

 

[doke01]

Thanks for all the advice! The 90 degree clothes hanger and an old fly swatter did the trick. I also picked up one of these: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...ooglebase-_-D25X-_-100540128&locStoreNum=6866 It has a magnet at the end with a LED light. Although what I was searching for wasn't magnetic, the LED light was amazing. It even worked under water! I did also find a few magnetic things in the bilge with it too. Who knew?

 

[commander bill]

Coat hangers are a good item to keep on your boat. I found they can be used to unclog the small drain tubes leading to the bilge from the port and starboart rear drain areas. The port area aft of my battery compartment tends to get water which will not drain due to debris blocking this tube.