Johnson Bilge Pump Cleaning (C30)

[dbsea]

What's the best process for cleaning the pump and float switch on the aft bilge Johnson pump in my 2016 C30? Occasionally in rough(er) seas, the small amount of water that's ever present in the aft bilge will slop around and trigger the pump, and sometimes it will stick and not turn off. I suspect all the parts are just due for a good cleaning. That area is precariously difficult to work in, with the shaft/stuffing box, etc.

 

[Newf]

Lots of posts on here regarding these pumps for you to search but if yours has the "little black box" on the side of the pump you can clean the face of the box with basically anything. I usually just put some dish liquid on the wet cloth and clean the face of the box and then hose it down. Not easy to access as you have noted.

There are 2 raised circles on the face of the box. Once cleaned if you but a finger on each of the two circles it will engage the pump. If the pump engages remove your fingers and the pump will shut off. If it doesn't then you have other issues.

I have the Johnson 750GPH and to remove the pump cartridge from the house for cleaning you have to pry out on the tab on the side and then twist the cartridge and pull it out.

Again, none of this is easy due to very limited access but if you can reach it, then it should be doable.

 

[GaylesFaerie]

What I did to clean the bilge and aft pump after getting a new to me 2012 Tug was to:

EASY PART:
1. Use a bilge cleaner to loosen things up and clean some. This involves a trip in the boat to slosh things about well. I used one from West Marine. Just follow the directions: dump it in and go.
2. On return, hose down the bilge to rinse things and activate the pump to pump the water out.
3. Sponge up the small ever present water in the bilge and let dry. I have one of those reacher/grabber things for the elderly to push a good size sea sponge into the bilge without any un-natural acts to my body.
4. Heavily spray down as much of the bilge and pump as possible with a good household spray cleaner. Let sit for 1/2 hour. If the spray pump is good you can get most everything.
5. Hose down the bilge to rinse things and activate the pump to pump most of the water out.
6. Repeat 3.

HARD PART:
7. Down 2 Advil or 2 shots of your favorite rum.
8. Perform un-natural acts with your body to remove the pump activation switch (little black box) by pulling upward on it. Go easy as it is wired to the pump. On mine there was enough slack to pull it away from the pump so I could lean over painfully and get it clean with paper towels and remove any residual grease and gunk.
9. Do additional spot cleaning as needed using one of those hand held steam cleaners like the Bissel Steamshot. Its cheap and has a variety of extensions that should get the aft bilge area really clean. Its gentle enough to clean the motor too.
10. Test the pump switch by touching both circles with 2 fingers. Reattach the switch to the pump (ow!).
11. Repeat 5.

This got me from a blackened bilge where I couldn't see the fiberglass bottom or the pump mount to one where I can see everything now. Next season if/when the bilge starts to foul, hopefully you only have to do the easy part. HTH, Gary

 

[dbsea]

great tips. thanks guys!

 

[SJI Sailor]

+1 to Gary, and also occasionally adding bio safe cleaner that sits without activating it to dissolve stuff, then pump out and dispose at bilge disposal and/or fill to activate it (if not badly dirty) after an hour or more. And reach down as much as possible and clean any stray bits of fiberglass, washers, etc, that appear periodically.

As we had two pumps go bad this winter, I might also preemptively replace it if it's more than 3 years old. And buy a matching spare at the same time!

 

[dbsea]

+1 to Gary, and also occasionally adding bio safe cleaner that sits without activating it to dissolve stuff, then pump out and dispose at bilge disposal and/or fill to activate it (if not badly dirty) after an hour or more. And reach down as much as possible and clean any stray bits of fiberglass, washers, etc, that appear periodically.

As we had two pumps go bad this winter, I might also preemptively replace it if it's more than 3 years old. And buy a matching spare at the same time!

Good advice, thank you. The boat was new to me in October, but I need to go look at the maintenance log again to see when (or if) the bilge pumps have been replaced by the last owner. he kept pretty detailed records so if they were I'm sure it's in there. The boat is a 2016. If they haven't been replaced, I suppose I'm lucky that they haven't failed, yet. :-D