Bilge Pump playing up
Discussion
Returned from a nice bit of sunshine in the Med on Sunday to crap weather, congestion on the roads and far too many people without tans 
Hadn't been to the vessel in a few weeks since a nice jaunt out to St Kats. So thought I should go down to the mooring to check she hadn't sunk (also had just spent a week with the misses so needed some 'boat' time
)
All was fine, checked things as you do;
Drinks cabinet - check
Stereo - check
Bilges - check
Tiny amount of water in the main compartment so figured may as well pump it out whilst here with radio 5 live and a G&T.
I have 3 bilge pumps but one I tend to use more often when required. This is an electric diaphragm type pump from what I can make out, switched on, made the 'on' noise it makes but the small amount of water that was there didn't suck up??
So put my hand over the hose to see if there was any suction and there wasn't
So took a pick of the pump which is situated under one of the interior cabin seats to post here in the hope someone can inform me of why the pump has decided to suddenly stop sucking even though the mechanism appeared to be operating fine?
Do these fail often? easy repair?
Hadn't been to the vessel in a few weeks since a nice jaunt out to St Kats. So thought I should go down to the mooring to check she hadn't sunk (also had just spent a week with the misses so needed some 'boat' time
) All was fine, checked things as you do;
Drinks cabinet - check
Stereo - check
Bilges - check
Tiny amount of water in the main compartment so figured may as well pump it out whilst here with radio 5 live and a G&T.
I have 3 bilge pumps but one I tend to use more often when required. This is an electric diaphragm type pump from what I can make out, switched on, made the 'on' noise it makes but the small amount of water that was there didn't suck up??
So put my hand over the hose to see if there was any suction and there wasn't
So took a pick of the pump which is situated under one of the interior cabin seats to post here in the hope someone can inform me of why the pump has decided to suddenly stop sucking even though the mechanism appeared to be operating fine?
Do these fail often? easy repair?
Assuming you can see the motor going round, and the "conrod" pushing the diaphram in and out, then if the pump is not, er, pumping, then that can be for only 3 reasons:
1) the inlet or outlet pipe are blocked by debris
2) the diaphram has failed (split)
3) the intake or exhaust flapper valves have failed (split or jammed open by debris etc)
Looks like it would be pretty easy to pop the pump apart for a quick look see ;-)
1) the inlet or outlet pipe are blocked by debris
2) the diaphram has failed (split)
3) the intake or exhaust flapper valves have failed (split or jammed open by debris etc)
Looks like it would be pretty easy to pop the pump apart for a quick look see ;-)
Max_Torque said:
Assuming you can see the motor going round, and the "conrod" pushing the diaphram in and out, then if the pump is not, er, pumping, then that can be for only 3 reasons:
1) the inlet or outlet pipe are blocked by debris
2) the diaphram has failed (split)
3) the intake or exhaust flapper valves have failed (split or jammed open by debris etc)
Looks like it would be pretty easy to pop the pump apart for a quick look see ;-)
Yes the motor runs fine and the diaphragm moves in and out so will hopefully be as you suggested above.1) the inlet or outlet pipe are blocked by debris
2) the diaphram has failed (split)
3) the intake or exhaust flapper valves have failed (split or jammed open by debris etc)
Looks like it would be pretty easy to pop the pump apart for a quick look see ;-)
I would have taken it apart on Sunday but didn't have any tools on me and one of my hands had a drink in it, so was difficult
Plan seems simple, check inlet pipe first, if ok take apart pump/ diaphragm to see if debris or split and problem solved. cool, gives me another excuse to pop down there for some peace and quiet this week
You shouldn't be allowed out shopping on your own. 
This bilge pump.... Seagoing is it? or more of a plughole as in upturned bathtub.
By the way just realised I owe you an answer to that mail. Wallasea island opposite Burnham on Crouch and you would be welcome at any time. Bring lifejacket / flares / epirb / radio and you should be fine.
This bilge pump.... Seagoing is it? or more of a plughole as in upturned bathtub.
By the way just realised I owe you an answer to that mail. Wallasea island opposite Burnham on Crouch and you would be welcome at any time. Bring lifejacket / flares / epirb / radio and you should be fine.
MOTORVATOR said:
This bilge pump.... Seagoing is it? or more of a plughole as in upturned bathtub.
I much prefer baths to showers (of salt spray). Burnham is like well close man so just name your day Would you mind if I brought a big spool of line with me, tied it to a bollard and unrolled it as we went off into the grey wall of hell? Then when we sink I can pull myself back to land and oxygen. ta!
Hi Ben, still have your boat in Palma?Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff