Bilge Cleaning

K

Kbratko

Member
Jul 3, 2012
52
chicago
Boat Info
320 DA
Engines
Mercruiser /Bravo III
05 320 here and noticed some water in the bilge. Not enough to set of the pumps but right there also not sure how it got there. While looking around I have decided I want to get give the bilge area a good cleaning. With the batteries in that area along with converter and other electronics what should I use as water source? Is a hose on low setting safe? Last is everything besides batteries and convertors safe to get wet? Thanks
 
I suppose you could spray with a hose -- if you're careful -- but I prefer to use a sponge or brush instead. Certain things like the alternators don't react well to getting wet :eek:

Some water in the bilge can be normal. I get water coming in through the side vents when it rains. You might also have a slight leak somewhere in one of the hoses, like the inlet hose to the sea pump but it could be many things. Since the bilge pumps won't evacuate all the standing water, I use a drill pump if I want to get out the rest. The only time my bilge is really dry is the end of the season when the drain plugs come out :D
 
I do mine once a year and it is much easier to use simplegreen spray and paper towels. If you have water, hand pump it out and dry it up then spray and wipe. To many electrical things in there you don't want to hose down not that it wouldn't dry but why ask for trouble? That being said if you scrub and keep the hose on a low trickle and keep it down on the bottom that works but then you have water left that the bilge pumps can't get out of there. My bilge is always dry except after we are out, running the boat I get seapage at the shafts and rudders. It is very little but still there and ususally drys up before the following weekend.

Hope this helps?
 
Rizzman said:
I do mine once a year and it is much easier to use simplegreen spray and paper towels. If you have water, hand pump it out and dry it up then spray and wipe. To many electrical things in there you don't want to hose down not that it wouldn't dry but why ask for trouble? That being said if you scrub and keep the hose on a low trickle and keep it down on the bottom that works but then you have water left that the bilge pumps can't get out of there. My bilge is always dry except after we are out, running the boat I get seapage at the shafts and rudders. It is very little but still there and ususally drys up before the following weekend.

Hope this helps?
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This is what I think I’m going to do and get as much grime up as I can. Then at end of season have the guys that buff and wax, give me an estimate to do I deep clean of the bilge. Rather not short something out and lose time on the water.

Thanks
 
I also like the spray bottle and a huge box of shop towels (the blue paper towel)

sinplegreen is good but the foam degreaser autozone sells is amazing. Also any orange citrus cleaner works really well.
 
Water in your bilge could be a sign of warn out/leaking steering pin. Have someone who knows what to look for check it out. It’s a costly repair if done properly but ultimately you have no choice is indeed that is the source of the water in your bilge.
 
Grateful Escape said:
Water in your bilge could be a sign of warn out/leaking steering pin. Have someone who knows what to look for check it out. It’s a costly repair if done properly but ultimately you have no choice is indeed that is the source of the water in your bilge.
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Steering pin, Not familiar with that. Is it the same regardless of v-drive or out stern?
 
I feel like I am missing something from the OP. Why would you pay someone to clean your bilge? I always use products like the others have suggested, garden hose with a good sprayer, shop vac, and go at it, being careful not to get anything electronic wet. It's my opinion pretty much everything in your engine compartment can take water, it's a boat.

Once done you will have a good base to keep an eye out for oil, water, fluid leaks. Fingers crossed my current boat has stayed dry and clean since I did this, probably a first for me with a boat. Also makes it nicer when working in the bilge, you are not carrying fluids out of the engine compartment onto your cockpit/cabin floors. I still wear blue booties when in the bilge though just to be safe.

While at it gunk/degrease your engines, transmission, genny as well.

And please note, I said bilge, not the firewall where your inverter and fuse box are located.
 
I would gladly pay a small lanky teenager to clean my bilge. The black goo under the engine from a hydraulic oil leak (before I bought boat) is not coming out without many many many rags scooping it out. No cleaners are getting that goo out. And a 454 crammed into a 25’ requires contortions that my body can no longer do.
 
Pirate Lady said:
I would gladly pay a small lanky teenager to clean my bilge. The black goo under the engine from a hydraulic oil leak (before I bought boat) is not coming out without many many many rags scooping it out. No cleaners are getting that goo out. And a 454 crammed into a 25’ requires contortions that my body can no longer do.
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A toilet brush attached to broom stick will do wonders.
 
Pirate Lady said:
I would gladly pay a small lanky teenager to clean my bilge. The black goo under the engine from a hydraulic oil leak (before I bought boat) is not coming out without many many many rags scooping it out. No cleaners are getting that goo out. And a 454 crammed into a 25’ requires contortions that my body can no longer do.
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Try 2 454's crammed into a 34'. Had to tear out half the exhaust and center support to replace a bilge pump!
 
Kbratko said:
Steering pin, Not familiar with that. Is it the same regardless of v-drive or out stern?
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If your steering pin is bad, it will leak and if not replaced will lead of other serious problems/corrosion and could likely sink your boat. Definitely learn about the Steering pin on your boat.
 
Grateful Escape said:
If your steering pin is bad, it will leak and if not replaced will lead of other serious problems/corrosion and could likely sink your boat. Definitely learn about the Steering pin on your boat.
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I have v-drives so I shouldn't have to worry about steering pin?
 
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