I have an 86 h31 that seems to have some bilge issues. First is that whenever the bilge pump runs there seems to be an oily film on the water, not fun in the marina with your neighbors asking what the hecks going on. I've had the marina mechanic go over my engine twice now and can find no oil or fuel leak that would cause this problem. When I lift the cabin sole and look in the bilge it always appears very dirty (brown stuff floating around in there that is not poop etc.). We have cleaned the bilge within an inch of its life many times and this stuff always comes back. I have been told to drill some holes around the bilge area to allow water to better drain from the shower area etc. i dont know where to drill or what size bit I should use. I'm also wondering if the gunk that I see returning to the bilge after cleaning may be the result of years of built up stuff from previous owners. Any help is greatly appreciated. Tom
Bilge issues on my h 31
- Thread starter Tmiter
- Start date
2 things
Do you use your shower a lot? How is it being discharged over board?
If you are sure this isn't from the engine, perhaps it's from your shower.
Do you use your shower a lot? How is it being discharged over board?
The taste test will tell all.
Don't swallow any.
Oil tastes BAD just like you would think it would
antifreeze tastes sweet, critters love it
shower water tastes like soap.
I'm thinking that an oil sheen on the water would be .....oil. and it is probably from the PO as you seem to have stoppered up the engine. It does not take much oil to make a sheen. I'd recommend a hose be brought in and someone topside dribble Dawn into the water to get rid of the sheen, or go sailing and do it.
Don't swallow any.
Oil tastes BAD just like you would think it would
antifreeze tastes sweet, critters love it
shower water tastes like soap.
I'm thinking that an oil sheen on the water would be .....oil. and it is probably from the PO as you seem to have stoppered up the engine. It does not take much oil to make a sheen. I'd recommend a hose be brought in and someone topside dribble Dawn into the water to get rid of the sheen, or go sailing and do it.
Shower water looks black as well
Guess shower runoff gets pretty awful when it sits for awhile
I had a black scummy water presence in my bilge, which really looked like a bit of oil. Turned out it was from my shower sump box.
Guess shower runoff gets pretty awful when it sits for awhile
Reminds me of a poem:
Little Willie was a Chemist
Little Willie is no more
For what he thought was H2O
Was H2SO4
If you have an oil absorbing pillow available you can put it into the bilge. It will preferentially absorb the organic material and clarify the water.
There are some posts related to opening up the bottom of the sump area (actually the bottom of the interior liner) that gives better access to fully draining water trapped between the liner and the hull. Much has be described relative to the H34 model, but may also apply to yours.
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=970990&highlight=allan12210 bilge liner
Are you detecting any odors after the boat has been closed? There may be trapped water and oil from a previous leak that is just not able to be fully purged all at once.
Try filling the void space again via openings but don't pump out. Add some bilge cleaner and then go sailing. Really rock and roll the boat and check for oil or fuel in the bilge when you get back. If any is seen, clarify with the pillow for proper disposal then after pumping the water out, rinse, rinse and then rinse some more.
Hope this helps.