Blige Pump in 2001 SAN

[dominator]

Hey guys,

I am pretty new to boating and not sure if bilge pumps on my 2001 SAN operating properly. I usually just press bilge button on the dash and it stays lit at all times, is that how it's suppose to be?

Also, I am not even sure if my bilge pumps are working at all, due to engine noise it's difficult to tell if bilge pumps are working.

I am a bit concerned about the water in the bilge, last time we were out we had wake boarding rope caught in the prop, so we had to dive under the boat to try to untangle it and ended up cutting it. After getting back and taking plug out, there was considerable amount of water in the bilge, I would say around 5 gallons or so. Now I am concerned about bilge pumps not working and shaft seal leaking after rope accident.

How do I test bilge pumps and water leaking into the bilge?

[charlesml3]

Yes, the bilge pump light should be on at all times when the switch is on. This just tells you the pumps are getting power. Doesn't necessarily mean they're working though...

So with the engine off, open up the engine hatch and cycle the bilge pump switch. You should hear the pump come on. You may need to get closer to the engine compartment and have someone cycle the switch for you. If you don't hear it cycle, it isn't working. Make sure it's getting power by testing the connection at the pump with a volt meter. If it's getting power there and still not working, the pump has failed.

Getting a rope caught in the prop isn't going to cause a leak. And by the way, on a 2001, the shaft seal is supposed to leak a little.

-Charles

[functionoverfashion]

I'm not positive about the differences between a 2001 and a 2003, but in my '03 there is a pump in the stern near the engine, and another one up near the driver's seat under the floor which you can see when you lift up the access panel there. It's between the hard ballast tank and the fuel tank. Again, I'm not intimately familiar with 2001 SANs but this is how my '03 is setup. And for me it's the forward pump that gets all the water, the other one is basically a backup.

[azeus17]

There has to be enough water in the bilge that the bottom of the pump is under water. The pump will turn on for a few seconds and if it senses that there is not enough water, it shuts off automatically. The light will stay on and the pump will kick on every 10 minutes (or something like that) to check for water. 5 gallons sounds and looks like a lot, but may or may not be enough to submerge the pump. If you hear the pump kick on when you press the button, but don't see it pumping anything (it shoots out the side of the boat), you could always add some water to see if its working. Just don't add too much...just enough to submerge the pump.

[Cadesun]

I had to replace at least one (most likely both) of my bilge pumps in my '98 super sport over the 12 years I owned it. Put some water by them, turn the switch on, they will "look" for water. If they don't click on and pump the water out, replace them. It is actually really easy, don't pay a marina.

[dominator]

Thank you all for the info, I will test bilge pumps this weekend.

I also want to clean the bilge. Last time I saw something through the plug hole (might be a soda can).

What’s is the best way to access the bilge?
Should I just pour some biodegradable cleaner into the bilge before taking boat out, let the cleaner slush around, and then take the plug out after I take boat out of the water?

[ohiowake2]

Dawn dish soap works ok also to put in there and let it get some water and slosh around in there. In my 01 I have a bilge in the engine compartment and one by the fuel tank just to let you know where to look.