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Cleaning a dirty bilge drain

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Old 07-10-2025 | 08:10 AM
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Default Cleaning a dirty bilge drain

Anyone have tips on how to clean a slow draining bilge?

After some unexpected life events (gout can go **** itself) the bilge was left exposed to the elements and is not draining properly. I imagine its a mixture of oil (hatch was off to fix an oil leak), dirt and probably a few leaves.

Is there something that woll cut the grime, dissolve the leaves but not eat thr fiberglass?
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Old 07-10-2025 | 09:55 AM
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First pull the plug and stick something in to clear any obstructions and drain. Put plug back in.
Mix Dawn dish soap and any mild degreaser detergent with a couple of gallons of hot water and pour in bilge.
Use a long handle brush to scrub as much as you can. A toilet bowl brush works good.
Drain again, or use a shop vac to suck out everything.
Take the long handle brush and wrap a towel or rag around it and wipe up any residue.

Drink a beer and finish cussing .
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Old 07-10-2025 | 10:11 AM
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Ryobi 18-volt pressure washer works well. I set it up to suck warm soapy water from a 5-gallon bucket. does a good job blasting dirt but isn't so powerful that you will damage things.

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/RYOBI-...7-EdgeBingFlow

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Old 07-10-2025 | 06:52 PM
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Try this for clearing the plug hole.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-20-i...0830/324601746

You can try pre-treating by pouring warm water and simple green into the bilge with the plug in. Drive the boat/jet ski on the trailer down some bumpy roads for a bit and pull the drain plug.

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Old 07-11-2025 | 11:29 PM
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I’ve used Dawn and Tide with great success (Tide smells nice too!).
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Old 07-12-2025 | 08:22 AM
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circus midgets and scrub brushes work great
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Old 07-12-2025 | 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by TomZ
I’ve used Dawn and Tide with great success (Tide smells nice too!).
I want my bilge to smell like fumes and burnt wiring harnesses, not clean dishes. Man up Tom…….
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Old 07-12-2025 | 12:52 PM
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I've used Dawn and hot water in the past. If it's really oily, I'll first hit it with mineral spirits using an air powered chem sprayer, then follow-up with Dawn/water.

Getting the leaves out will help prevent the drain hole from getting blocked over and over again. If you can get a shopvac under the eng, great. If not then maybe a leaf blower or an air hose to move them somewhere they can be picked up/vacuumed.
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