Oily bilge water

C

ColinR

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www.victoriashadow.co.uk
Any suggestions for something to break down the oily bilge water that lives in the bottom of my deep keel. When I pump it out I never get all of it out as the oily film stays on the top and is always left in there. There isn't a lot of oil in the mix but the odd drip of diesel and engine oil has accumulated over the years. I thought I could do it when she is laid up ashore and collect it for proper disposal.

thanks, Colin
 
Check the bottom of the bilge, with the whole thing empty of liquid. If it is like ours, it will have an oily sludge in there which will have to be removed by hand. I have tried various bilge cleaners with little success. It can result in a bit of a pong below the floor if left to fester. Some people recommend products by a company called oil technics which will break down some of the residue. I plan to clean out our bilge sump over winter, degrease with something like Jizer, dry and repaint. A worthwhile job!
 
ColinR said:
Any suggestions for something to break down the oily bilge water that lives in the bottom of my deep keel. When I pump it out I never get all of it out as the oily film stays on the top and is always left in there. There isn't a lot of oil in the mix but the odd drip of diesel and engine oil has accumulated over the years. I thought I could do it when she is laid up ashore and collect it for proper disposal.

thanks, Colin
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It's nasty stuff isn't it - and it's a vital ingredient in that delicate manky auld boat perfume that gives old boats their character. :p

I had a slight diesel leak that took me the best part of a year to track down and cure, and the stench got so bad the SWMBO refused to come to the boat and wouldn't come near me until I'd showered and changed after I'd been there.

The best (only) stuff I found to get rid of it is Bio Clean, which is a mix of detergent and oil-eating bacteria. A litre or so in the bilges to slosh around for a week or two should get rid of the worst of it, then pump & rinse. Finally, mop out the bilges to get rid of the last few drops and throw a cupful in from time to time just to keep things fresh. You don't need to worry about "proper" disposal, because the bugs eat the oil, so the residue's clean.

Get it from here: http://www.oiltechnics.co.uk/OffshoreBioShopBioClean.asp. You have to buy 2 X 5l, for £42 or 4 X 5l for £74, but you could probably find a few people in your club or marina with similar problems who'd be glad to share the cost.
 
I add an engine degreaser to the bilge water then agitate it with a hose with the nozzle closed up to give a high pressure jet.

A heated pressure washer will also clean an oily bilge if one is available.
 
Empty a bottle of washing up liquid in the bilges; the wave action will mix and brake everything up, then pump out. Actually, Fairy liquid or washing powder are as good as industrial degreasers.
 
ColinR said:
Any suggestions for something to break down the oily bilge water that lives in the bottom of my deep keel. When I pump it out I never get all of it out as the oily film stays on the top and is always left in there.
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You need a polypropylene oil absorbent mat, it will just float on top of the water and absorb the oil. I have one permanently in my bilge, rolled up loosely with a cable tie round it, and replace it when it looks dirty. Loads on eBay, including this one - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-OP2-O...at_Engines_EngineParts_SM&hash=item3cb50e5d8f

I've also used Jizer with good results for a thorough clean, removing the remaining solution with a Pela vacuum pump.
 
Great suggestion guys, thanks. My bilge is deep and narrow so I cant reach down it very well. I do use Bio Clean, great stuff and miles better than any official bilge cleaner I have bought in chandleries. A regular dose keeps that lovely bilgey smell down but doesn't really get to the grease. I like the idea of a floating mat, will definitely check that one out. Not sure about emptying a bottle of fairly liquid down the bilge, I imagine the whole thing turning into a mass of bubbles and overwhelming the bilge pump. C
 
pvb said:
You need a polypropylene oil absorbent mat, it will just float on top of the water and absorb the oil. I have one permanently in my bilge, rolled up loosely with a cable tie round it, and replace it when it looks dirty. Loads on eBay, including this one - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-OP2-O...at_Engines_EngineParts_SM&hash=item3cb50e5d8f

I've also used Jizer with good results for a thorough clean, removing the remaining solution with a Pela vacuum pump.
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OR pack of pampers, huggies or recently found Lldl nappies all do a stirling job of sucking up bilge fluids :)
 
ColinR said:
Any suggestions for something to break down the oily bilge water that lives in the bottom of my deep keel. When I pump it out I never get all of it out as the oily film stays on the top and is always left in there. There isn't a lot of oil in the mix but the odd drip of diesel and engine oil has accumulated over the years. I thought I could do it when she is laid up ashore and collect it for proper disposal.

thanks, Colin
Click to expand...

There are things like Bio Socks available which are filled with a core of bio degrading material . They eat the oil and produce water while the residue is retained. They are considered non hazardous in most countries when disposed. They keep the bilge surface oil free.

I have picked mine up in West Marine etc over the years but this fellow seems to stock them in the UK


http://www.brianwards.co.uk/online-shop/bi-sox-bilge-cleaner.html
 
TeamSpirit said:
OR pack of pampers, huggies or recently found Lldl nappies all do a stirling job of sucking up bilge fluids :)
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Sadly, nappies soak up water as well; the polypropylene oil absorbent mats don't soak up water, just remove the oil - that's why polypropylene mats are used by environmental agencies to deal with oil spills in watercourses.
 
TeamSpirit said:
OR pack of pampers, huggies or recently found Lldl nappies all do a stirling job of sucking up bilge fluids :)
Click to expand...

I used to use nappies and have recommended them in the past. However, one burst after I forgot about it in the engine tray - what a mess and very hard to clean up. I thought it was just the length of time it had been left until I had another burst after an overnight soak in water/diesel. Never again!

As mentioned by others there are proper absorbent products for oil, pela pumps and specialist chemicals as well. Nappies are a poor choice and I would not recommend them now because of my experience, but yes they work and did for me, but cleaning out the mess of a burst nappy was hard work, so not worth it.
 
Fill the bilges with more water and add LOADS of clothes detergent. Leave for a few days and then suck out. I also bleached using the same protocol. Worked a treat. Now all that stinks is my seat foam :(
 
Some good suggestions for getting it out.

Then the smell....

For anything that smells of something organic, including oil, deisel and anything to do with the heads, then cats urine smell remover bought from a petshop, will get rid of it.
 
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