watson1987
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2021
- Messages
- 396
- Fluid Motion Model
- R-31 S
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT3119L718
- Vessel Name
- Clifford
- MMSI Number
- 368265640
Over the memorial day long weekend, I realized that my primary bilge pump had failed. I had been on anchor for 2 nights, and on the third day of cruising, I opened the engine bay to check the oil before breaking apart from the floatilla. Water was almost to the boat's upper/secondary bilge pump and alarm. The bilge pump was working a week earlier, as usually, some excess water gets into the bilge when I do my engine flush and needs to be pumped out, which I had done the weekend before. The lower pump failed even with the manual switch. I assume the pump is original to the boat - 2018.
I didn't have a hand pump onboard, but someone else in the floatilla did, thanks dbsea. I could have used my engine flush hookup with my seacock closed to pump it out in an emergency. dbsea even did the hand pumping in the engine bay and got out several buckets of water, probably 5-7 gallons (those stuffing box drips add up). I had a spare bilge pump onboard and got it replaced and continued the cruise. Thanks again to dbsea for even having a hotair gun onboard so I could seal/shrink my crimps.
When I got home, I wanted to flush the salt water from the bottom engine pan, I pulled the fuse for the lower bilge pump and filled up the engine bay with a hose. I then realized the upper bilge pump alarm sensor was broken, but I could turn that pump on manually. I've since replaced the sensor and ordered a new spare bilge pump to keep onboard.
The moral of the story, test both the manual and automatic actions of both bilge pumps regularly. The alarm sensor has 2 finger indentations you can press to test it's functionality. Had I been off the boat for an extended period, neither of my automatic bilge pumps would have run.
I didn't have a hand pump onboard, but someone else in the floatilla did, thanks dbsea. I could have used my engine flush hookup with my seacock closed to pump it out in an emergency. dbsea even did the hand pumping in the engine bay and got out several buckets of water, probably 5-7 gallons (those stuffing box drips add up). I had a spare bilge pump onboard and got it replaced and continued the cruise. Thanks again to dbsea for even having a hotair gun onboard so I could seal/shrink my crimps.
When I got home, I wanted to flush the salt water from the bottom engine pan, I pulled the fuse for the lower bilge pump and filled up the engine bay with a hose. I then realized the upper bilge pump alarm sensor was broken, but I could turn that pump on manually. I've since replaced the sensor and ordered a new spare bilge pump to keep onboard.
The moral of the story, test both the manual and automatic actions of both bilge pumps regularly. The alarm sensor has 2 finger indentations you can press to test it's functionality. Had I been off the boat for an extended period, neither of my automatic bilge pumps would have run.