SX/SXi/SXi Pro Why is Silicone Sealant not used to glue down Bilge Pumps?
- Thread starter Gyro
- Start date
OCD Solutions
Original, Clean and Dependable Solutions
- Location
- Rentz, GA
Silicone and fuel/oil don't play well together and it will swell up to 4 times it's cured size, soften, break down and let loose. 5200 will react as well but it takes a lot more exposure.
IMO, this is why results and opinions vary so much on this subject. If you keep your bilge nice and clean with no leaks then you may have good results for an extended period but even a short exposure to fuel can alter those results. I learned this this the hard way on my 07 SJ with the bilge pumps 5200'd down. My tank pressurized and forced fuel out of a loose line and put about an inch of fuel in my hull. All the 5200 under the hood swelled up and fell apart. I rivet all my pumps down ever since.
I did a ton of product research when I first started making grommets for my bilge kits and the hardest test to pass was the fuel/oil soak test. I took cured samples of different silicone products, placed half the sample in a 32:1 mixure of fuel/oil and measured swell after 48 hrs. Some were as high as 450% swell in 24hrs. Almost all returned to near original size when the exposure was removed but the damage to bonding was already done.
IMO, this is why results and opinions vary so much on this subject. If you keep your bilge nice and clean with no leaks then you may have good results for an extended period but even a short exposure to fuel can alter those results. I learned this this the hard way on my 07 SJ with the bilge pumps 5200'd down. My tank pressurized and forced fuel out of a loose line and put about an inch of fuel in my hull. All the 5200 under the hood swelled up and fell apart. I rivet all my pumps down ever since.
I did a ton of product research when I first started making grommets for my bilge kits and the hardest test to pass was the fuel/oil soak test. I took cured samples of different silicone products, placed half the sample in a 32:1 mixure of fuel/oil and measured swell after 48 hrs. Some were as high as 450% swell in 24hrs. Almost all returned to near original size when the exposure was removed but the damage to bonding was already done.
Yea I have seen 5200 fail too ^^^ but it takes soooooooo much abuse! I ALWAYS store my ski with the hood off and the gas cap loosened and couple of turns....just in case...
My current 5200 set up (fully auto 1100GPH) has lasted since late 2009 and is still very very glued down!
My current 5200 set up (fully auto 1100GPH) has lasted since late 2009 and is still very very glued down!
WFO Speedracer
A lifetime ban is like a lifetime warranty !
- Location
- Alabama
Yes they make one that bolts to the thru hull bearing
I have epoxed my bilges to the hull for years with no issues. This also allows the bilge to sit lower in the hull (closer to the water) When a pump fails I just click a new top unit onto the lower holding bracket. Rule hasn't changed its design for years. There are after market holders for single and dual set ups. The only issue I have had with the kawi's is if your have an aftermarket battery tray the donot line up.
Most pumps dont have enough surface area for silicone sealant to hold up to binding hoses and side landings. Try something a little stiffer like urethane, pro-seal, 5200 or 3-bond. Urethane and pro-seal are by far the best. I still find lots of glued in pumps with broken bases. Use a bracket and glue a piece of turf under it for cushion.
john zigler
Vendor Account
- Location
- wisconsin
we have alum bilge brackets here for yamaha, and kawi.....
http://www.watcon.com/Catalog_Pages/Bilge_Parts.htm
http://www.watcon.com/Catalog_Pages/Bilge_Parts.htm