S28 Aft Bilge Pump

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Strake

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Washed out the engine bay yesterday because one of the supercharger belts (now replaced) had left black rubber dust everywhere as it slipped. I did the washing, confident in the knowledge that the water would be pumped out via the bilge pump. However, it seems that the pump is quite a way forward in the engine bay and the majority of water is lying aft. Apart from standing a few people on the bow, can anyone suggest how this water is supposed to be pumped out?
I also noticed that while the forward pump hums quietly when activated, the aft one sounds an alarm...

The operators manual does not really refer much to bilge pumps...

Any ideas..?
 
There is a manual pump at the back of the engine bay with the handle by the cockpit gate. I get the little left out using an "oil extractor" vacuum pump...but it is a pain. (Has changing the belts cured the black dust from the belts? as i have the same problem
 
Most bilge pumps don't suck water they just push it up the tube, so they have to be submerged to work, hence you can never get the last bit out, bucket and sponge I'm afraid. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Why is it with boats you just can't "press a button" and everything's sorted....sponges, buckets..all so menial.. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

<(Has changing the belts cured the black dust from the belts? as i have the same problem >

Originally, I noticed that the starboard engine was making screeching noises when rev'd over 2000rpm which, I think, is when the supercharger kicks in. I also noticed there was a lot of black dust in the engine bay which I originally thought may have come from the Eberspacher. Then I read on here somewhere that if a boat isn't used for a while, the belts can start to decay. As my boat was purchased used and had been on the hard for 6 or so months I presumed this was the problem so had all belts replaced at the same time. That was 3 weeks ago. Last weekend, the screeching started again, (same engine) and I noticed more black dust. VP engineer said not to worry as they always need retightening...

I am worried though...I can't help it.. everytime one of those B*****s comes near my boat it costs me £300.. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Had the same problem with KAD32 in a F33. Temporary cure is to buy a can of "Rocol Belt Dressing Spray" and spray the belts, problem goes away. (Engineers merchants like "ARCO Ltd" have it - no connection with me!!)

Being a total sceptic I always replaced the belts every year. Kept the old ones as spares in case of emergency, thus always had spare one year old belts in the boat.
 
The short belt from the crank pulley has to be bow string tight as it drives all the others, its this one that squeals. unfortunetely its the hardest to adjust as you have to remove the supercharger one and is pulley first.
 
>you have to remove the supercharger one and is pulley first.

No you don't, not on my (later) KAD32's at least. The pulley has to come off to remove/replace the smaller belt, but you can adjust both without removing anything.

dv.
 
All Sealines above a 290 have had an alarm for engine bay bilge pump running, late flybridge boats cover all four bilge pumps running.

Brian
 
Rather than the belts starting to decay it's more likely that the pulleys will be getting rusty which then causes more wear on the belts, hence the black dust. Give them a quick going over with fine emery paper, remove rust and hopefully problem solved!

I've had my boat for 8 years now, done thousands of hours, only changed my belts last year for the first time, old belts still had plenty of use left in them. There's no reason why they should deteriorate. How often do you change the fan belt on a car? It's all the same material.
 
<it's more likely that the pulleys will be getting rusty which then causes more wear on the belts, hence the black dust. Give them a quick going over with fine emery paper, remove rust and hopefully problem solved!>

Another excellent tip. Now, I wonder if my marina VP mechanic did in fact do that when he changed the belts a few weeks ago...any bets while I go and have a look...?
 
Rekindling an old thread, but it's ver difficult to use emery paper on the "ridged" pulleys that go with flat belts. What worked for me was a toothbrush dipped in white spirit for a first oass clean, followed by a dose of spray green paint. The paint seems to fill in the rust pits, then when it wears away, you still have a flatter surface for the belts to run on, as the paint still lurks in the pits.

Has worked well so far...

dv.
 
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