Johnson Aft Bilge Pump

[Jfrano]

Have a RT29. How does one remove the cartridge to clean, access is soooo tight?

I was blowing the 7.5 amp fuse but could still manually start pump. Eventually I was unable to manually start. I would have to reset bulb at the helm. I cleared out water and used wet vac in the bilge area. Now it’s running fine. Still want to pull cartridge to see if there any more Debris.

Thanks

 

[summer wind]

I replaced mine this past summer and it was an easy job. Just turn the top of the unit counterclockwise and it lifts out. The housing stays in the bilge with the hose attached. If you google Johnson Pumps you will get a bunch of videos that show this.

 

[Jfrano]

Not sure of the layout on your boat. With the 29, there is the generator and the shaft both above the bilge making access very difficult. Even just getting your body down in there is quite the maneuver.

 

[S. Todd]

The aft bilge pump is a stretch to reach but it is possible. I have had to replace ours. Our forward pump is still working but I suspect it too will fail someday. How does one reach it, short of pulling the engine?

 

[Mastercraft]

The pump cartridge and switch come out easy once you figure out how to snap them in and out. It is the reach access that is the problem. If you have larger than average hands or shorter than average arms, forget it. I managed to replace the aft pump. I could get the front pump out to clean it but I gave up trying to replace it with a new one since it worked and I did not want the challenge of connecting wires. I have two pairs of extra long needle nose pliers to extend my arms. One pair is double jointed and so it is really long and opens wide. Also I bought a whole new pump on Amazon, not just cartridge. This way I could learn how the pump snaps out.
You have this switch, not the mechanical one:
JOHNSON PUMP 36303 Ultima Auto Bilge Pump Switch
This is the pump combo I bought but it has the mechanical switch so I also bought the Ultima switch.
Johnson Pump 05903-00 Cartridge Combo Automatic
Both on Amazon
This was based on 2017 R29
I replaced switch, since it randomly would stick on.
It is a very amazing switch since nothing is mechanical on outside and it is completely sealed.