Cleaning the Bilge Pump Location

[familyman45]

I removed the View Port to Access the Bilge Pump for inspection. A lot of dirt, Grease and god knows what else has piled-up in the stern since 1985. Does anyone know of a safe product (Solvent) that can be poured back there to degrease the area and clean-it. Also there is a small piece of carpet stapled in place close to the Bilge pump that looks like it was put there on purpose in the factory. Was this done on purpose to soak up grease. Would like to clean the area before installing a new pump. I'm to dam big to reach these small areas with a brush and a little scared to use my pressure washer with all the wires..etc.

[flounderpounder225]

West Marine has a pretty good bilge cleaner, and there are other products you can find by searching the internet, usually pour them in and take the boat for a run, the sloshing action cleans it up, of course if it is real bad, I would think some mechanical action or if you could hit with a good spray nozzle on jet setting?  I think someone on here has used that purple power or something like that with good results.  I'm sure they'll chime in here soon.
Marc

[familyman45]

Thanks flounderpounder225.
If I dont get any other replies I will try the product.

[pete]

any good cleaner/degreaser will work,greased lightning,simple green,get some in there use some sort of brush and clean like a crazy man!!oh yeah,rinse/repeat,welcome aboard sir!

[Blue Agave]

Is it grease or just mold, mildew, and grime?  We used a gallon spary bottle and chlorine to clean up all the boats that came to our shop.  Spary on the chlorine, let stand for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse.  Repeat if necessary.

[familyman45]

any good cleaner/degreaser will work,greased lightning,simple green,get some in there use some sort of brush and clean like a crazy man!!oh yeah,rinse/repeat,welcome aboard sir!

Grease lightning is a great product I used it for everything when I lived in Georgia. I looked and looked but can not find it at any stores in maryland and I have no clue why.

[familyman45]

Is it grease or just mold, mildew, and grime?  We used a gallon spary bottle and chlorine to clean up all the boats that came to our shop.  Spary on the chlorine, let stand for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse.  Repeat if necessary.

Its all the above. Grease, oil, dirt. I wanted to use Chlorine this weekend, but was a little unsure if it was safe to use around plastic, any of the seals and gaskets.

[Blue Agave]

What seals and gaskets are you referring to?  I'm not aware of any seals and gaskets in the bilge.

[wingtime]

Greased lightening is great.  But any Bilge cleaner is designed for just what your trying to clean.

[seabob4]

Dawn works great as well.  Squirt it all over, fill the bilge halfway, let it sit, then pull the drain plug and hose her down.

But chances are a bit of scrubbing is going to be needed...

[pete]

x 2 on the dawn,cheap,works,won't harm anything!

[familyman45]

x 2 on the dawn,cheap,works,won't harm anything!

Dawn I'll give it a try.

Thanks

[Woodinator]

SB4 - Just a cautionary thought, but don't you run the risk of soaking the bottom of the fuel tank if you fill w/that much water?... I'm assuming the bow is only slighly elevated to drain normally.

[seabob4]

SB4 - Just a cautionary thought, but don't you run the risk of soaking the bottom of the fuel tank if you fill w/that much water?... I'm assuming the bow is only slighly elevated to drain normally.

Ryan,
The fuel tank compartment is supposed to be isolated from the compartments fore and aft of it, those two compartments connected by a drain pipe, PVC.  If filling the bilge allows water in the fuel compartment, well, that's not right...

[familyman45]

any good cleaner/degreaser will work,greased lightning,simple green,get some in there use some sort of brush and clean like a crazy man!!oh yeah,rinse/repeat,welcome aboard sir!

Pete
Got tired of trying to find Greased Lightning in Maryland. Just purchased 4 Gallons on line.
As I said used all time when I lived in Georgia.

4 Gallons should last for a while.

John