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I have a 2004 Vista 268 and the other day I noticed the aft bilge circuit breaker popped. As far as I can tell the bilge pump in the engine compartment works as advertised when the circuit breaker is reset. I can turn on the forward bilge via the switch right inside the cabin door and hear that pump over board (which seems to have a good bit of water in a short time). When I reset the aft breaker can also hear some additional water being pumped overboard coming off the starboard side it seems that this pump is not shutting off and that is what is tripping the breaker. Anyone have any idea where this third bilge pump may be located?

It might be for your sump box? That has a bilge pump in it. That might also explain the presence of water in your front bilge if the sump box is overflowing water into the bilge due to the pump not working to empty the box.

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Jack
2005 268 Vista - Sold

2001 Silverton 35C 8.1L Crusaders

I have a V335 (similar I think) and my aft circuit breaker has also started popping. Rear bilge pump works when reset but trips off after a short while. Assumed I need to replace engine bilge pump as this must be faulty and tripping breaker. The one inside cabin works fine.

It appears that you may have two separate problems. You should have two bilge pumps and a shower sump pump. The two bilge areas are separate, so water from one area should not be flowing to the other area.

If your aft bilge pump circuit breaker is popping, something is not right. Start by checking wiring for condition. These pumps should be able to run almost indefinitely without popping a breaker. Has this pump been replaced with a larger pump that takes more amps? This pump and float switch are at the front edge of the engine on the engine compartment floor. If the pump continues to run after the water is no longer being pumped overboard then the float switch is stuck in the "on" position. The float switch may be separate or it may be a part of the pump. You might look at changing any of these pumps if they have a few "birthdays".

One way the forward bilge will get water is when the shower sump does not work. The forward bilge pump is below the access panel at the aft end of the floor between the galley and head. Can you tell from the color, feel, and smell of this water whether it comes from a fresh water plumbing leak, the shower sump, or elsewhere? The shower sump is under the floor of the storage closet just aft of the head. It is two wires, two hoses, and a velcro strap, but it is a bear to get to. The shower sump float switch is prone to sticking due to shower soap. Sometimes running hot water into the shower drain will loosen up the switch, sometimes a tap on the shower sump box will work, but these are usually short term fixes. Sometimes the switch will stick in the" on" position and the sump pump will continue to run indefinitely. Hope this helps.

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Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

Looks like it was the shower sump that kept running. The previous owner must have tapped into the wire that goes to the aft bilge. I am replacing the shoer sump.

Thanks guys!

It quite probably wasn't the previous owner that did it, but Four Winns themselves.. Earlier versions of the 278 took power for the shower sump pump from the aft bilge breaker, so it's likely they did the same on the 268. Later versions of the 278 have an extra dedicated breaker for it on the master switch panel, maybe it was their solution to a common problem (but it is not shown on the schematics, nor is the bizarre modification to the wiring they did on the forward bilge pump on mine !).