www.iFourWinns.com

I recently purchased an 07 260H with 496/B3 and just realized that the bilge pump outlet neck was broke off in the hose and the bilge was running continuously and running down both batteries. Does anyone have any experience fixing and or replacing this item. I almost got stuck in engine bay troubleshooting the issue!!

rdbrill

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Rdbrill
2007 260H 496/BIII

What kind of bilge pump is it? Assuming your dash switch is off, it sounds like the float switch is stuck on - is the float switch separate from the bilge pump? It may have some crap inside it.

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

The pump itself seems to working fine. Because of the broken outlet, the pump was just circulating bilge water via the auto sensor function. I can't get a good look at it because of its position. It looks nearly impossible to access.

rdbrill

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Rdbrill
2007 260H 496/BIII

I have a 1997 FW 205 Sundowner. A couple of weeks ago I was cleaning the hull with a scrub brush when I hit the bilge pump hose and broke the hose off the bilge pump. I tried to fix it with smaller tub going inside the bilge/hose and putting some plumbers putty to make it seal up. It works about 50%. I'm not sure Ill be able to access the pump to completely replace. Is there any other options other than replacing the pump?

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1996 4 Winns Horizon 170 SOLD
1997 4 Winns Sundowner 205 SOLD
2000 4 Winns Horizon 230 CURRENT
Tow Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited SOLD
1999 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 SOLD
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 6.0

I just replaced the original pump (Rule) with a Johnson which has a replacable screw-fitting for the hose connector. My original had the same issue with breaking off the plastic at the hose fitting.

Not sure if you have any repair options outside of replacement, but hard to know until you can access and identify the pump.

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

How did you get access to it? Is it possible to remove the pump without removing the motor?

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1996 4 Winns Horizon 170 SOLD
1997 4 Winns Sundowner 205 SOLD
2000 4 Winns Horizon 230 CURRENT
Tow Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited SOLD
1999 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 SOLD
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 6.0

I have a Funship and the bilge pump is very accessible as it sits forward of the engine. Sounds like a different situation for you unfortunately...

Perhaps others with Horizons/Sundowners who have done this can chime in with suggestions.

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

Funny that this has come up! I just changed my bilge pump and switch last week.

It was not an easy feat! I have a big block too and the area is very cramped. My switch went bad and the pump was running continuosly last fall (after I hauled the boat) so I simply took out the fuse as a temporary fix to keep the battery alive during storage...This spring when I went to remove the pump I broke the discharge off The pump gets removed by twisting it out of the base (make sure the hose is off first!) There are three screws in the pump base plate and there are two screws in the switch cover (down the holes ) I was able to reach the screws by hanging upside down and forcing my shoulder down between the riser and floor. It was a major battle all the way.... not in any way easy but certainly doable.
I was going to pull out my back seat so I could atleast lay on the floor and have another 10-12" of reach and that would be my recommendation to you.

I could go into a lot of detail... BTW I replaced my bilge with a 2000 gph Rule pump and switch.

Oh yeah! Remember to dry test the system (dash and switch), wet test (fill bilge with hose) same systems and remember to replace the plug after you drain the last remnants out of the bilge... You can only imagine why I know this

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Question: Can you buy just the base or do you have to buy the pump/base together. How much did you new bilge pump run you?

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1996 4 Winns Horizon 170 SOLD
1997 4 Winns Sundowner 205 SOLD
2000 4 Winns Horizon 230 CURRENT
Tow Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited SOLD
1999 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 SOLD
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 6.0

Thanks for the info. I assume that when you twisted it out that the wiring harness was attached, or are the wires attached to the base? Did the wires disconnect and reconnect to the new bilge pump OK?

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Rdbrill
2007 260H 496/BIII

Locally I couldn't get a direct replacement in a hurry... New pump and switch cost me around $150 CAD after taxes.



Your welcome. the wires are attached to the pump and the switch only. The base is simply a "click in place" fastening point. The wiring is all run back to a four pin assembly that is zip tied to the harness in the bilge. I cut all the zip ties then pulled the wiring harness, pump and switch all out as an assembly. The new pump and switch need to be spliced into the existing harness with crimp connectors and shrink wrapped. It was alot easier to do this "on the bench" It was just a matter of cutting out the old and installing the new. I will try and get some pictures tonight. I knew this would have made a good tutorial but unfortunately didn't have the camera handy.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

replace the whole thing, its not worth it to try and peice it together, its a very important item to have in working order, take it from someone who lost a 35 ft motoryacht because mine gave out.

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1999 298 Vista [color=#FF0000]Sold!!!
twin Volvo 5.7GXI

Woody: Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: Alright, but stop me at one...make that one-thirty

Why not just leave the old one in there, instead of trying to get it out and just install a new one in a a place that has more room. Then just cut the wires and hoses from the old one and connect to the new one.

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Steve
2007 Fourwinns Horizon 240
VolvoPenta 5.7L DP GL 280 hp

When I was changing my exhaust manifolds on my previous boat (99 Sundowner), I noticed the the hose barb on my bilge had broken off, due to becoming brittle. I replaced it with a new, larger GPM unit.

I agree with masssteve, leave the old one there. Cut the wires as close to the old pump as you can to give you lots to work with and to keep the new connection high & dry. The bilge pump in my Sundowner was located under the water pump at the front of the engine compartment.

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2010 278 Vista
5.7 GXi DP

Past:
1999 225 Sundowner
5.7 GSi SX

Guys, thanks for all of the input. I just had my regular service guy replace it. He cussed it and cussed it but finally got it done. Cost me about $250 in labor to replace a $26 bilge pump! But it is DONE!

On another note, my speedo wasn't reading correctly, but the inlet hole in the B3 outdrive was clear! Turned out that the speed hose running to the back of the speedo was kinked a bit due to the plastic ties used to bundle all wires were too tight. Probably been a problem since the boat was new.

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Rdbrill
2007 260H 496/BIII