www.iFourWinns.com

Yesterday while on my boat I noticed that when I turned on the batteries there was a noise that sounded like my bilge pump. I ended up tracing the noise inside the cabin and finally under the floor. When i removed the panel to access where the noise was coming from there was a clear plastic box marked sump pump with what looked like a bilge pump running.

Being there was nothing being drained overboard and the box was completely surrounded by water I know something is wrong. However since I am not sure how this whole sump thing works I really don't know where to start troubleshooting it.

Some initial questions...

Is this area supposed to have water in it all the way up along the sides of the plastic box?

Where is all this water coming from?

Is there a separate bilge pump that should handle this water or is the one in the sump pump supposed to handle this?

I have read in other threads on this forum to check the screens, are they referring to the plastic screen that surrounds the pump?


I'm sure I'll have this fixed in no time with your help.

Thanks in advance,

Walter

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

I think you are describing the shower sump pump. It should collect the water from your head floor drain and push it overboard. The screen does get nasty and should be cleaned. The box should have a float to drain when there is enough water.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

well i tested it and water does come in to the box from the shower drain and the pump pushes it out however it is still running.

I assume the float switch would be in the box so that is either faulty or the wiring is shorted.

I also need to figure out how to get this water out of the bilge. Anyone have a fix for this?

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

On our 03 the shower sump is under the 1/2 closet under a access cover, I had to take the door of the closet to get to the screws. That is the shower sump. There should be a forward bilge pump, ours is located in the center of the vessel, near the aft berth, again with a access cover in the floor.

Early last summer, we had a "mildly nasty" (new term) odor in the cabin. Seemed to be worse when the fridge was running. When I removed the cover from the forward bilge, there was some nasty water in the bilge, causing the odor.

To fix, I ran the garder hose in the forward bilge, there is a drain hole in the front V berth storage area to flush the bilge, then occasionally I dump some citrus bilge cleaner in.

Sorry off subject, Capn, I think you sump float switch may be stuck and your forward bilge float switch may not be working. On ours you can manually turn the forward bilge on with a switch on the panel as you are coming down to the cabin, does yours have that?

I think, when the boat sits on the trialer, its not at the right attitude for the forward bilge to drain properly is all I can come up with.

Hope that helps

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Jeff,

Where you describe your forward bilge is where my sump box is. i will go ahead and see if i can find that forward bilge where u describe your sump to be. I only have a bilge pump switch at the helm. Turning that on seems to only affect the one in the engine room. I will go hunting for that bilge and report back.

As for the sump i will look for that float switch and hopefully find a quick inexpensive fix.

Thanks!
Walter

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

Well no luck finding that forward bilge pump. I put in a call to Four Winns to see if they actually put these in the 248. The manual doesn't say anything about it. I still would love to know how that water got in there and of course how it is supposed to come out. Anyone with a 248 want to chime in on the forward bilge pump?

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

JSimon; Where is that you were able to use to flush the forward bilge. Seems like a good thing to do and after 4 years probably needs it.

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2005, 268 Vista, Table Rock Lake "Choices II"

There is no forward bilge pump in the 248, just the sump pump. You should not have water in the forward bilge, and it sounds like your sump float is stuck.

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Brett DiMichele

Choices...

If you open the V bench storage, you will see a drain hole at the top of it that drains the anchor locker, it runs down the v of the hull to a bottom hole, that goes to the forward bilge. Thats where I put the garden hose, and rinsed the bilge out. Thats where I also dump the cleaner in.

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

I guess that is why I can't find it



The question I need to answer now is how the hell that water got in there. Apparently there is no way for it drain so either a leak from the shower or a second hose that is coming in to the sump box, I'm guessing it is from the A/C



I took off the cover earlier and played with the float knob turned on the battery and it did not run. Filled sump box with water and still did not run. Will look at it more tomorrow but could be the pump needs replacing.

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

The shower sumps are a pain. I've yet to see one that wasn't. The trouble is the box needs the pump inside and also needs to be opened for cleaning. Both mean there isn't going to be a perfect seal on it. And that means if the pump fails or if the water is too sudsy there will be some leakage.

The bilges are connected and when the boat comes up on plane the tilt will drain toward the stern. On the 348 there's a forward bilge pump located underneath the mid-cabin berth. On some other boats there's usually a limber hole (drain) leading back to the engine compartment. So eventually all water drains back to the engine compartment and gets pumped out by the main bilge pumps.

Then there's the choice of molex connectors for the wiring. Those damned things tend to corrode or just fail to maintain a decent connection. I replaced mine with waterproof automotive types. Metri-someting-or-other. Got a kit for them off eBay.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

If your pump stays running it is possible that your float switch in the sump box is stuck in the up position. After replaceing the switch twice in 2 seasons and getting tired of taking my hand and giving it hard tap to stop it I found out the float itself would stick to the upper housing of the float assembly (which you can't see) from all the scum and what ever else. I sawed off the upper part that the float came in contac with. I think the reason why the float is pertected is so it can be used for other applications. The float brand name is a "RULE" Works like charm now.

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278 Vista

Thank you all for you feedback.

After cleaning the whole box and pump it still continue to have issues. I went ahead and replaced the pump and it is working like a charm now. I also removed all the water with my wet vac and gave her a good cleaning.

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

Any luck finding the source of the water Captwalt? I'm not familiar with the 248 but you mention the AC. On our 328 I had water in the forward bilge also. Turned out that after cleaning the AC stainer I hadn't seated the housing lid securely and had a constant drip. Don't know how much water you are experiencing, but it may be a possible source to check. Good luck.

If, or more likely WHEN, my shower sump fails I plan on trying to find a better replacement. There's got to be a better design than the Rule sump setup. Maybe something with an external passive water level sensor or something...

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista