170CC Bilge Pump Replacement

BobW · #1 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 12:52 PM

My 170CC is in the water. It is one sweet boat! But it appears I need to replace the bilge pump. When I throw the bilge switch the breaker trips after 10 seconds. The pump does not operate at all. I'm thinking there may have some ice damage in the pump over the winter. Looks like the only access is via the transom well port. Is there a trick to doing this blind and one-handed? Advice appreciated. Thanks.
Bob W

fridaysoff · #2 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 01:10 PM

Bob,
You should be able to reach in your bilge and feel around the pump. You should feel two clips on each side. squeeze them and pull the pump up and out to replace with identical one. Just snap a new one in the same clips. Thats was the case with my 2004 170CC. I don't know if your pump is different. Good Luck.
John D.

BobW · #3 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 01:22 PM

Thanks, John. That was quick!! Heading to the dock now.
BobW

2 hours later:
Worked like a charm! Even got to the marina to pick up a new pump just as they closed at 3 PM. Raising a Long Trail Ale in your honor.

Thanks again. This site & its members are a great resource!

BW

BobW · #4 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 03:58 PM

Yet another Bilge pump question. I installed the new pump last week & it works great. But the automatic feature does not seem to exist. Did I buy the wrong pump? Rule has two versions 500 gph pumps - one fully automatic & the other not. Is there a float switch that is stuck/broken? If so where is it & is it easily replaced one handed & blind?

Thanks again.
BobW

NJWardy · #5 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 04:54 PM

You may want to check the fuse. I believe there is a 15 amp fuse in your battery compartment. On the 195cc it is connected to a brown wire that hangs loose in there. My pump stopped working automatically but did work by the switch...checked and replaced this fuse and all is good.

pamarine · #6 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 05:59 PM

Bob,

Which version did you buy? If it's one of the round 500GPH, then the automatic cuts on every two minutes to check for resistance against the impeller, the standard version needs an external float or electronic switch.

BobW · #7 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 08:45 PM

Thanks, NJWardy & pamarine. I'll check both the fuse & the version. It's a round 500gph & fits in the original cradle. I asked the marina folks for an exact replacement & tossed the old one after installing the new pump. The boat is presently in Vermont while I languish (cook?) here in North Carolina. I can have my brother check & replace the fuse if necessary. The fuse may be the culprit. The old pump was heavily sludged up when I took it out. I could barely turn the impeller by hand. Perhaps the draw of the reluctant pump blew the fuse, then tripped the circuit breaker when I truned the switch on. At the moment two neighbors & my two brothers are keeping an eye on the water level & will manually operate the bilge switch if necessary.

Thanks for the advice.
BobW

BobW · #8 (**permalink**) 06-20-2008, 02:56 PM

My bilge pump saga continues. The good news is that the boat floats with an awful lot of rainwater in it. 200+ gallons perhaps. Vermont received a lot of rain this past week. The manual pump is diligently pumping as we speak. The fuse at the battery is good and the pump stops when the fuse is removed. But the pump does not come on automatically which leads me to the conclusion that the float switch is bad & should be replaced. Searching in the dark bilge, I didn't see it (yet). Any clues where it is and suggestions for a new switch?

Thanks for your great help & patience.
BobW

pamarine · #9 (**permalink**) 06-20-2008, 03:10 PM

BobW,

Sorry to hear your troubles are continuing. If the pump is a Rule Automatic pump, it does not have and external float switch. The easiest way to tell whether or not it is a auto pump is to see how many wires are coming off the pump. If it has 2 (Brown & Black) , it is a manual pump and all you can do is keep looking into the nether regions of the bilge. If it has 3 wires (Brown, Brown w/ a White Stripe, & Black), it is a auto pump and the fault would be with the pump sensor housed internally. If this is the case, talk to the dealer who installed it. The pump will be under warranty (Rule Standard Pumps carry a 3 year warranty, Gold Pumps have a 5 year) and they should be willing to replace it for little or no cost. Let me know what you find out and I'm sure I'll have more thoughts.

BobW · #10 (**permalink**) 06-20-2008, 03:30 PM

Thanks, pamarine. The pump is definitely a two-wire manual pump. I installed it myself. The old float switch hidden somewhere in the bilge is probably as sludged-up as the old pump I replaced three weeks ago. I may order a Water Witch 101 switch & install it right on the new pump. Your article on the subject was certainly helpful. Do you carry/distribute them?

It's difficult living far away from your loved one --- errrr ---- boat.

Thanks again.
BobW

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