Water Pump Issue

Bob 04 H260 · May 9, 2013

The hose may have something against it that is collapsing the hose. Can you identify where the obstruction is by the length of the fish ? Often times an air pump for an inflatable dingy will clear a sink drain of an obstruction as they can be used both ways.

I assume you have the seacock open for this thru-hull ?

Next I would look for a strainer in the hose to filter out any weeds etc. and protect the pump. If that all checks out fine and it still will still not draw I would look for a small air leak that is stopping the pump from sucking the water up the hose. It could be a loose hose clamp or split in the hose.

Good luck, Bob

onecoolair · May 9, 2013

Join the club....

Zoom767 said:

Good Evening,

I have a pump located above the battery locker which draws water from the lake to use with a hose for washing down my boat.

The pump is not drawing the water up the hose. As I am a new owner and didn't plug up all of the intake holes during winter storage, I suspected that there may be a blockage of some sort which was caused by a small animal. I've tried everything to try and clear the possible blockage, including running a plumber's snake down the tubing leading to the intake hole. However, when I get to a certain point, there is definitely an obstruction of some sort, but I'm worried it may be something associated with the boat (i.e. check valve of some sort?). I am able to blow into the tube, and after a lot of pressure, I manage to expel air through the tubing and can hear air bubbles escaping from the end of the tube at the bottom of the boat.

I'm thinking of getting an air compressor and blowing the line out, but I'm afraid I may cause some damage.

Does anyone have any other ideas?

Rob

Click to expand

I would rethink having any sort of water pump mounted above my batteries.
Next.... Let me tell you I have had similar situations with plugged up hoses or thru-hulls..... The air compressor is a good Idea. I have had to clear sink drains with my air horn pressed tightly to drain at bottom of sink drain. Warning.. Be sure to lay a towel over the sink as you do this procedure. Don't ask me why

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I would disconnect hose line from both pump and thru hull. And concentrate on clearing the hose first. Then next clear the thru-hull . Then disconnect and clear the hose on the discharge side of pump......Now in my case...This happened to me a short while back and it turned out the clog was on the discharge side. BTW... I have also had too deal with similar issues on occasion with air-conditioning raw water lines clogging up in summer because of heavy algae growth,crabs,jelly fish,etc. I had one neighbor who had to acually pull all his a/c and bilge hoses from the boat and beat them on the dock to knock all the crap lose so they could be flushed out with fresh water pressure from the dock side water hose .
Join the club.... Good Luck!

Bob 04 H260 · May 10, 2013

Zoom, I would find out were that hose goes, it should have a valve at the thru-hull to turn it off. It is possible it was "T'd" into an AC or other thru-hull already on the boat and that may be where your fish stops.

Bob

onecoolair · May 10, 2013

Bob 04 H260 said:
Zoom, I would find out were that hose goes, it should have a valve at the thru-hull to turn it off. It is possible it was "T'd" into an AC or other thru-hull already on the boat and that may be where your fish stops.

Bob

Yes check the thru hull pickup for main air conditioner. Normal for dealer or factory to tee off air conditioner thru hull. Most times no filter used for wash down pump. There is some debate on that. Mine as never had a filter.

Water Pump Issue

Zoom767

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Bob 04 H260

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onecoolair

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Zoom767

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Bob 04 H260

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onecoolair

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