Bilge Pump Problem

[jfsopko]

I am a newbie to the CobaltChat line and hope someone can help me...I have had a 1998 Cobalt 190 Bow Rider for nearly 12 years and never bothered to look for the bilge pump -- sort of like never noticing the glass window pane until it gets a crack....well, my problem now is my bilge pump just stopped running...The circuit breaker keeps cutting off before the pump motor even makes a sound.....Here is the real question, how do you find the pump and get it out.....I think I found it under the engine toward the stern but not sure....anyone have any suggestions, John from Columbia Island Marina

[nolaboater99]

Hi John and welcome to the site. Your bilge pump is typically at the lowest point in the bilge and in your case, most likely under the engine. For your 190 it wont be very large and most likely it will not be easy to get to depending on your engine size.

To me, the bigger question is, why is the pump coming on? If it is, you have a leak somewhere that needs to be located and repaired. Also, if you have not repaired or replaced your pump or the float switch in 12 years you're on borrowed time. Mercury-type float switches are a notorious fail point.

If it were me, I would find and repair the leak and then focus on the bilge pump, switch and circuit. Replacement pumps are not expensive and there are alternatives to float switches. Might be time to replace both. Good luck....
Shawn

[AsLan7]

I am a newbie to the CobaltChat line and hope someone can help me...I have had a 1998 Cobalt 190 Bow Rider for nearly 12 years and never bothered to look for the bilge pump -- sort of like never noticing the glass window pane until it gets a crack....well, my problem now is my bilge pump just stopped running...The circuit breaker keeps cutting off before the pump motor even makes a sound.....Here is the real question, how do you find the pump and get it out.....I think I found it under the engine toward the stern but not sure....anyone have any suggestions, John from Columbia Island Marina

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Hey john. Welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us!

You’ve hit the nail on the head my friend....your bilge pump is directly under the engine furthest point aft. This is the lowest point for water to collect like nola mentioned.

I’m thinking you have a short if the breaker keeps popping.
It’s a simple device really. Basically a small pump with a few wires which are spark protected that run to it. She also has a float that goes up and down which allows the pump to come on automatically when water begins to rise in the bilge. That water is pumped up a hose which exits the boat on the starboard (normally) or port side. The entire assembly is attached to a square piece of plastic which mounts to the hull. This also helps keep debris from getting caught in the float.

The switch on the dash just turns it on manually bypassing the float. Sounds like it’s time to replace your pump if it’s that old. Again, it may have a short in it somewhere.

Any pics of your 190? Quite a few 190 enthusiasts here on the site.

Welcome aboard mate!

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[Big Block Power]

Welcome and as you can tell by that picture from A7 the only way to get to it is to remove the engine

[AsLan7]

Welcome and as you can tell by that picture from A7 the only way to get to it is to remove the engine

Too soon.

[jfsopko]

Thanks for all the advice....will send pics when I get a chance....I don't think I have a leak but rather we got four inches of rain in one hour in Washington DC which was why I decided to look into the bilge the next day and saw that the water had not gone down, which it usually does after a long rain. I then turned it on and discovered the circuit breaker had blown. I followed the discharge hose from the starboard side around the battery back to the stern but it is impossible to see exactly where it ended up from the port side....from the starboard side when putting my hand as far as it could reach to the stern I found the float which flipped up and down so at least that is free and clear. I also saw a round plastic capped covering almost flush with the bottom of the bilge with an electric but no discharge line going into it. Could this be the bilge pump? Unfortunately I can not unscrew the cap and really didn't want to in case it caused more problems. It is also hard to get a pic....anyone out there with a 190 who has had similar issues??? I feel like calling Cobalt to see if they have any of the original designs around which may answer my problem....anyone ever deal with them about older boats like mine? All the help is greatly appreciated, John

[Big Block Power]

Be glad you didn't remove that round thing with the cover on it if its under water. It's filled with a special liquid. That's your depth finder transducer. Your pump could be seized or shorted out and that's why your getting the popped breaker.

[SAB220]

2004 220
So how do I change the bilge pump? In ASLAN7's picture I see Philips screws. A short Philips? I see the pump separate from the float (2 separate parts). I think I'd like to replace mine eventually after almost 20 years. Also would like to move the whole mess a couple of inches STBD for the oil drain. My pump sits on a SS plate (ASLAN7 picture its a black plate) Also the bilge pump brand is Mayfair (?), I'm just familiar with Rule brand

jfsopko - suggest you get a manual hand bilge pump ASAP until you fix your problem. You don't want the water level to rise and cause engine problems, then find a place to store the hand pump onboard for emergencies. Also be thankful the 4" of rain was not snow like you had about 4-5 years ago.

[AsLan7]

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I could either have removed the entire plate (2 Phillips head screws) or the pump itself (2 screws). I elected to replace just the pump.

With the engine in, I may have removed the plate instead and then remove the pump from the plate. Seems easier.

[Bfun220]

When my pump acted up I replaced it. If I remember right it was a Johnson pump and had no float. I also got the highest rated Gph I could find. I test mine each spring before hitting the water by putting a garden hose in the bilge. My new pump will put out more than the garden hose puts in.

[SAB220]

Thanks for the ideas on removal I'll keep it in mind for 2020. I'm on FW so things are much simpler for me.

[SAB220]

This a bit of advertising but I think it gets the point across for wiring bilge Pumps

https://newwiremarine.com/how-to/wire-b ... mp-switch/

[Shawn O]

We just bought replacements for our 222 with Great Lakes Skipper. Bought both components and just swapped them out. Cost all of $45 with shipping. Call them though to get the 1000 gallon not the 750. Site shows they are out of the 1000 gallon but they are not.

[hptx262wss]

I have a 2012 262 with a 8.1 VP. I would like to replace the bilge pump and float and they are both mounted to a black plastic plate. I get the plate loose but then cannot get the plate and pump and float out attached. Any tricks out there to get the combo out?

[Big Block Power]

I have a 2012 262 with a 8.1 VP. I would like to replace the bilge pump and float and they are both mounted to a black plastic plate. I get the plate loose but then cannot get the plate and pump and float out attached. Any tricks out there to get the combo out?

Yep remove the engine. It makes everything much easier.