Check the obvious before dismantling...

[PetiteFleur]

Helped a friend yesterday to work out why his manual bilge pump didn't work. He removed the pump and dismantled it and we found nothing wrong, both flap valves in good condition, diaphragm ok so was a a bit puzzled so I suggested - have you checked the inlet pipe is clear? course it is he said - I said blow down it - and it was blocked but he did manage to unblock it - checked the end in the bilge and there was an oily rag which had obviously blocked the pipe!

 

[VicS]

My similar experience was a sock blocking the washing machine outlet!

 

[Concerto]

Last season, Concerto seemed to be getting bow heavy. I was sure the holding tank forward was blocked as nothing came out. Decided to pour a holding tank cleaner into the tank, but the stainless steel tank cover was bolted and stuck down. Eventually used the breather pipe to pour it in. Left it a week to break down any solids and went down river to pump it out. A few pumps and the suction stopped. Rushed on deck to see the green tank cleaner flowing past. Nothing for it, I had to get the top off the tank. Back in the marina I removed all the bolts and used a knife to cut the silicon rubber seal - the tank was empty. Then the penny dropped, both the water and fuel tanks under the cockpit were empty!

The holding tank had been fitted for over 30 years and the top had never been removed. The unfortunate thing was the bolts were threaded into mild steel inserts that broke up on all 16 bolts as they had rusted away. Luckily there was no smell from the tank due to the cleaner, so it remained unused with a loose lid for a few weeks. It is now is fixed using A4 stainless steel rivnuts and a double layer of butyl rubber. If it even needs to be opened in the future, then it will easily be refitted with no problems.

 

[William_H]

Last season, Concerto seemed to be getting bow heavy. I was sure the holding tank forward was blocked as nothing came out. Decided to pour a holding tank cleaner into the tank, but the stainless steel tank cover was bolted and stuck down. Eventually used the breather pipe to pour it in. Left it a week to break down any solids and went down river to pump it out. A few pumps and the suction stopped. Rushed on deck to see the green tank cleaner flowing past. Nothing for it, I had to get the top off the tank. Back in the marina I removed all the bolts and used a knife to cut the silicon rubber seal - the tank was empty. Then the penny dropped, both the water and fuel tanks under the cockpit were empty!

The holding tank had been fitted for over 30 years and the top had never been removed. The unfortunate thing was the bolts were threaded into mild steel inserts that broke up on all 16 bolts as they had rusted away. Luckily there was no smell from the tank due to the cleaner, so it remained unused with a loose lid for a few weeks. It is now is fixed using A4 stainless steel rivnuts and a double layer of butyl rubber. If it even needs to be opened in the future, then it will easily be refitted with no problems.

Sorry can you describe how it cam about that you inadvertently emptied the fuel and water tank? olewill

 

[DJE]

She was bow down because the rear tanks were empty?

 

[Concerto]

Sorry can you describe how it cam about that you inadvertently emptied the fuel and water tank? olewill

Just failed to check the levels as no gauges are fitted. The water tank has a ball floating in a discoloured clear tube that requires the engine cover to be removed and a holding a torch to see the level. The fuel tank needs the cockpit grating to be lifted, fuel filler cap removed and the tank dipped with a marked wooden stick. So neither are easy for regular checking, hence my missing the low levels in both tanks. Low technology has little to go wrong - provided you use it!

 

[Hydrozoan]

... Low technology has little to go wrong - provided you use it!

Hmm - what's your official position in the great 1-2-B-O debate?