I have noticed that my auto bilge kicks in after making a run - short or long. I can also flip on the bilge manually and pump out more water. This is with the live well in the closed postition. I suspect it is from backwash when coming off plane but I never let it get up on the rear deck. Any ideas on where it could be coming in?
Leonard W. Little
Grand Junction, CO
2005 Champion 198
It comes on only after a run?? I don't know that I like the sounds of that.
If you are getting water while sitting, it could be any number of places. Most likely would be one of the through hull fittings in the bilge. First thing I would try would be while sitting in your driveway, run some water into the bilge and see if it drains out any of those fittings. If that doesn't work, you may have to back the boat into the water and see if you see water coming in. This may require removing the batteries and oil tank to get access to the bilge.
I've noticed that my boat is also taking on water although the auto bilge is not kicking on. I'm about to go through this same process
Mine had a cracked housing that the aerator pump snaps into. Discovered it by filing the livewell with the hose and then watching the bilge.
That or Champs deal one should nail it.
Pop
Your overflow for the livewell may be plugged and water is escaping over the top of the well into the bilge. The seam between the top cap and well may not be sealed letting the LW water out when shutting down and very full wells.
I think it is just taking on water
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Skip »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I think it is just taking on water
Who woke you up from your nap!
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by ChampioNman »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
Who woke you up from your nap!
Reggie
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by ChampioNman »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> Your overflow for the livewell may be plugged and water is escaping over the top of the well into the bilge.
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<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by lwlittle »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">...This is with the live well in the closed postition. </td></tr></table>
I'm assuming his livewells didn't have any water in them ...
You can go back to sleep now, Skip ...
No water in the livewell - I suspect one of the fittings below the water line. It isn't yellow so I am succesfully peeing overboard
Leonard W. Little
Grand Junction, CO
2005 Champion 198
plug all the holes in the back (you'll have to unscrew the fill screen). If that stops it, pull em one at a time and watch.
Pop
Good chance your speedo line is leaking. Tape off the speedo inlet on the LU and run it.
Paul Allsup - Grand Lake
04\' 519svx w/04\' 200 Opti
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by ChampioNman »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> Your overflow for the livewell may be plugged and water is escaping over the top of the well into the bilge. The seam between the top cap and well may not be sealed letting the LW water out when shutting down and very full wells. </td></tr></table>
I have a question regarding this.... I think my overflow is plugged, because my livewell will fill to the brim if I let my pump run. Where does the overflow drain it off to? Does it just dump it into the bilge area where the auto bilge gets rid of it?
Some of the older champs used a one way check valve located in the bilge. It lets water escape out through a hose mounted to the transom. You can pick up a check valve in the plumbing department at any hardware store.
I didn't see any check valve but would assume there must be something?? All I see is a hose with a larger diameter that connects to the thru hull fitting. I'll look closer in better light and see whats there. It is the only hose without a pump connected to it so it must be that one. The cover on the overflow outlet is a bugger to get my hand on in there, still haven't got it off yet.
If I can get this to flow as it should and get a new manual drain valve installed and working then I'll be happy with the livewell system.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by No hot foot »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I have a question regarding this.... I think my overflow is plugged, because my livewell will fill to the brim if I let my pump run. </td></tr></table>
Your livewell drain also will not keep up with the pump, so if you are running your pump in manual all the time, that is why you are over-filling the livewell.
Put on the trailer and fill the rear area with about 8 to 10 inch. of water. Look around drain plug. Had to replace mine had a simular problem.
I just went thru what you're going thru now. It took several shots but I found my leak! I was the Starboard Aerator Housing has a crack with a tiny hole in it. I found by removing the Cartridge (Rule Hi Flow 750) and then plugging up the inlet so that the housing would hold water. I then filled both the housings (port and the starboard) with water. Sure enough, the starboard drained that cup of water into the bilge in just over a minute. Port housing remained full. Upon further inspection with an inspection mirror, I could see the water flowing out in the rear of the housing. This crack was even with the impeller of the cartridge, right where the lake water would come into the inlet and into the housing. The crack with tiny hole and went from the impeller up about an 1 inch.
Now, heres the "Gotcha", Rule no longer makes this as a complete unit. Just the cartridges are available. So, I need to move to whole new set up. And you can bet your ass I'm getting 2 new ones. My thought is that its just a matter of time before the port starts to leak?
Now I need to find a pump with the same size inlet hole that Rule used? I'm not sure if most are an "Industry standard" but I would like to hear what others are using?
Thanks and good luck in finding your leak
Bowhunter
2017 Alumacraft Competitor 205 Suzuki DF250, Suzuki 9.9 EFI Kicker, Garmin Network
Larry Eby, 2004 ChampioN 188 Elite/2003 200 Hp Vmax OX66
"Romans 10:9"
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Tx Champ »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
Your livewell drain also will not keep up with the pump, so if you are running your pump in manual all the time, that is why you are over-filling the livewell.</td></tr></table>
I was thinking that might be it. My problem seems to be somehow bumping that switch on by accident, and since I'm deaf I don't hear it running. Both times this has happened I just luckily noticed the light on the switch. There has never been enough water in the bilge area to pump out. But, I thought too, it might keep up a little better than that and maybe that drain was plugged a bit.
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