Barnacle Buster and Bilge Hose

missnmountains

missnmountains

Member
Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2006
RO Number
22737
Messages
362
My shower sump hose goes out through the generator exhaust right at the water line. It is not discharging the water in the shower sump. I replaced the pump thinking it was bad but still does not discharge the water in the shower sump.

I then disconnected the hose and determined the pump is running perfectly. Obviously there is blockage in the hose somewhere. I hooked a garden hose up to it and turned the water on full. I could see a little water coming out of the through hull where the gen discharges. This did not break up the blockage.

I was thinking of using barnacle buster, but the instruction say to cycle it 4 hours. This would not work because the solution would just go over.

Anyone have a suggestion how to clean this blockage?

I appreciate any help.

Ken
 
quote:
Originally posted by KenK

Why not try a plumbers snake.

Click to expand...


Or possibly a length of marine duplex cable since the multi-stands keep it quite flexible.

Can you see the whole run of the hose to determine mounting clamps have no given way to allow a tight crimp?

Could you use a dink or lay the boat next to a floating dock to access the exit hole to check for something jammed in there by wave action, or possibly back-flush from outside with inside end disconnected and in a bucket?
 
Sounds like a strange set up to me. What's to keep products of combustion from coming back up the shower sump hose and into the boat?
 
My shower sump had a inline check valve. I learned about it when the sump kept going on because the check valve was stuck open.
Since it has a long way to pump, it would go on, pump, then shut off and the water would run backwards and it would go on again.
With check valve working it works fine. I replaced the check valve.
 
Thanks for the replies. All of the bilge hoses are connected to the through hull where I indicated which is a very large pipe fiberglassed to the hull. I disconnected the one I believe is the shower sump but got no action. I put the hose back on at the sump box and pulsated the water. Each time I get chunks coming out. Several times I got the pump to work, but after a few times it just stops pumping water. I then put the garden hose back on and get more chunks. The pump works a few times and then stops. It appears I may be moving a big chunk along the hose. Unfortunately this hose has got to be over 20 feet long and runs where I cannot access it completely. I am going to try the snake, but an nervous I may get it stuck in the hose.

By the way, I am connecting the garden hose after the check valve. I did run the pump with the hose disconnected and it pushes water very strong.

Thanks again,

Ken
 
"Unfortunately this hose has got to be over 20 feet long and runs where I cannot access it completely. I am going to try the snake, but an nervous I may get it stuck in the hose."

IMHO - a small bore drain hose that is 8 years old is a replacement item. Perhaps secure a new hose to the end of this old hose with a combination of good tape wrap and either small cable or flat tension straps and pull the new one into place.
It sounds like even if you get this partially cleared you are in for more trouble in the future.
 
Thanks again for the replies.

I tried the snake. It just would not go the distance. I think due to all of the turns and the ribbed configuration of the hose. I did get quite a bit out though. The blockage is this crap colored greasy, waxy gunk.

I was able to find the other end by tearing apart our sleeper sofa in the salon. The large pipe I discussed earlier is an accumulator pipe. All kinds of discharge hoses seem to go into it a various locations.

Unfortunately, I think it will be nearly impossible to to replace the hose as it is buried inside cavities most of the way.

Now that I found the other end, tomorrow I will hook up a loop with barnacle buster and run it for a few hours.

I guess we should quite washing with soap and shampoo. :-)

Ken
 
Stop using bar soaps. Use liquid body wash instead. Bar soap will reform down the line back into a solid, liquid soaps do not.
 
This post reminds me of the very first outing in a brand new boat. The first morning I found my wife pouring bacon grease down the drain. She had no idea what she was doing. We laugh about it now.
 
Could you thread a smaller hose inside the problem one, with very warm/hot water run through it? Possibly even with Dawn detergent added to the water?
 
Why not take an air compressor and blow the water out of the line. Then plug the outlet and fill it with Barnacle Buster and let it soak? This is how I clean my air conditioning lines.
 
Once we found the other end, we ended up hooking up a barnacle buster loop. We ran it for an hour and a half. PITA, but it is working again.

Ken
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top