bilge drain in engine compartment
Moderators: Tim Bosma, Tom Elsen
bilge drain in engine compartment
There's a removable plug that looks like a drain from the engine compartment into the bilge. Am I supposed to leave this drain open?
CHA CHÃ CAT #90
limber holes
I believe that holes intended to let water flow through the bilge are called "limber holes." My boat, #8, an inboard, doesn't have them. Since the most common leak (at least for me) has been a loosened packing gland, I added an automatic bilge pump in the engine compartment. The cockpit mounted bilge pump leads to a low point near the centerboard trunk. I expect your limber holes allow water from the engine compartment to be evacuated by that pump. So I guess I'd leave it open.
Jim Kloss
s/v Ambivalence
S2 7.9 #8
Jim Kloss
s/v Ambivalence
S2 7.9 #8
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Bob Kirsten
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 3:55 pm
- Location: Farmington Hills, MI
question on your bilge pump
Jim,
I also have an inboard version (#436), and do not have any limber hole allowing drainage forward. I have had lots of leaking from the gland last year, and had wanted to install a bilge pump, but could not see where to connect it into the existing line. Can you describe how you did it? I also thought it would be best to put it behind the engine mount dam, but there didn't seem to be enough clearance. I assume you put yours forward of the engine, is that right?
BTW, I just installed the dripless shaft seal and should have done it years ago. I am finally dry as a bone.
Bob Kirsten
DD Mau
Lake St Clair
I also have an inboard version (#436), and do not have any limber hole allowing drainage forward. I have had lots of leaking from the gland last year, and had wanted to install a bilge pump, but could not see where to connect it into the existing line. Can you describe how you did it? I also thought it would be best to put it behind the engine mount dam, but there didn't seem to be enough clearance. I assume you put yours forward of the engine, is that right?
BTW, I just installed the dripless shaft seal and should have done it years ago. I am finally dry as a bone.
Bob Kirsten
DD Mau
Lake St Clair
bilge pump
I bought the smallest pump that uses an electronic sensor / float switch. It's mounted in front of the engine on the port side. I couldn't figure out how to plumb it into the main bilge pump line either, so I cheated and just ran tubing up to the cockpit below the companionway. I think draining into the cockpit violates somebody's safety rules, but I like it. If I start to get water in the bilge, it burps onto somebody's feet and I know I need to fix it.
I thought about the dripless seal too but my philosophy of diesel mechanics is to leave well enough alone. Someday I'll probably have to pull everything out for a major overhaul, but not yet ....
Jim Kloss
s/v Ambivalence
S2 7.9#8
I thought about the dripless seal too but my philosophy of diesel mechanics is to leave well enough alone. Someday I'll probably have to pull everything out for a major overhaul, but not yet ....
Jim Kloss
s/v Ambivalence
S2 7.9#8
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Bob Kirsten
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 3:55 pm
- Location: Farmington Hills, MI
Jim,
Thanks much, I like your simple solution to the hose drain. I also wondered why the lateral bridge between the motor mounts did not have a limber hole to let the water drain forward. I considered drilling and epoxy coating one, but am very happy with the dripless seal. I will tell you, though, it was a tight fit, because it is longer than the brass packing original. I had to fashion some wood parts and wedges to compress the bellows and still get the shaft key to insert.
Good Sailing
Bob Kirsten
Thanks much, I like your simple solution to the hose drain. I also wondered why the lateral bridge between the motor mounts did not have a limber hole to let the water drain forward. I considered drilling and epoxy coating one, but am very happy with the dripless seal. I will tell you, though, it was a tight fit, because it is longer than the brass packing original. I had to fashion some wood parts and wedges to compress the bellows and still get the shaft key to insert.
Good Sailing
Bob Kirsten
Engine box Limber Hole etc
Hull #23 has the original BMW (rebuilt) motor and there is a limber hole on the starboard side, just below the wiring harness coming from the batteries and switch panel. Now I know what the rubber plug is for!
The boat has been high and dry for two seasons now while extensive repairs are being completed. Not too much left to do, but I haven't checked the stuffing box yet either, so can't say much about water in the engine box at this point. There is only one bilge pump in the boat, and that's the Bosworth Guzzler that came with the boat with the tubing run up the port side and an intake strainer up near the instrument thru-hulls.
The boat has been high and dry for two seasons now while extensive repairs are being completed. Not too much left to do, but I haven't checked the stuffing box yet either, so can't say much about water in the engine box at this point. There is only one bilge pump in the boat, and that's the Bosworth Guzzler that came with the boat with the tubing run up the port side and an intake strainer up near the instrument thru-hulls.
Runaway
1982 #23
1982 #23