Bilge Clean Out?

[J-ROD]

Quick background, vdrive leaked oil, found problem, fixed it! Now the bilge still has some oily residue because of previously stated issue. What's the best way to get that bilge nice and clean from the oil? Any cleaners you guys recommend or have used before? As always, thanks for the advice!!!

[sivs1]

Following this, I have the same question. I was thinking of just going to a car wash and hosing it out there, but am sure there is a better way.

[parrothd]

I use simple green, add a decent amount and leave it in the bilge, it'll break down all the oil, grime, then drive the boat or tow it to agitate..

It helps to have water in the bilge, I used to add it to my other boats on the tow home, then drain it, probably better for the environment.. ;)

[brain_rinse]

Any bilge cleaner should do it. Unhook the bilge and let it slosh around for awhile. Just pump it out somewhere other than the lake.

[ninedriver]

X2 on simple green and brainrinces and parrots method

[VA LSV]

I used purple power. As others said needs some water and let it set for a while. Parked mine on an incline in the yard, removed the rear plug and cranked the trailer up to drain most of it out. Sprayed a bunch of cleaner in the drain opening in the center locker to clean out under the gas tank and used a garden hose to wash it to the rear of the bilge. What didn't drain I sucked out with my oil drain vacuum pump.

[REDFIVE48]

I've seen the Simple Green recommendation, but seen others recommend throwing a couple bags of ice in the bilge with the cleaner so the ice will aggitate while you are cruising around. Also seen people recommend Dawn as opposed to Simple Green. Even seen the recommendation for adding bleach in with the Dawn or Simple Green, bleach will get the mildew if you had a lot of water in there previously. Cleaning my bilge out next time I go out also, unfortunately looks like rain for the weekend :(

[parrothd]

The purple stuff is great, I use it in my wave runners, it's pretty strong though and can damage the paint if full strength..

[Ian Brantford]

So, what was the simple problem that was fixed?

[kaneboats]

If I remember right it was in another thread. Some loose bolts and he tightened them up.

[sivs1]

So I just poured dawn dish soap and two gallons of water into the bilge before I left storage, 14 miles of up hill down hill, up hill down hill and up hill again to my house. I'll let you know how it all worked as far as getting things cleaned.

[kaneboats]

That's what I do. On vacation when the boat sits in the water all week I add some dish soap to the carpet before it rains. Kill 2 birds with one rock.

[bergermaister]

I discovered the other night that my basement locker ballast bag fitting fix wasn't actually fixed so I was dumping several gallons into the bilge every time we went out. Kind of explains the overactive bilge pump lately. Nice and clean down there now!

I too like the dawn dish soap, add a few gallons of warm/hot water if possible. Slosh it around and out. Have used a little bleach too when water sat too long in the heat and started swelling 'swampy' down there.

[J-ROD]

There are 4 bolts on the bottom of the vdrive that were slightly loose. I tightened them and things are good! Also, thanks for the ideas! I can always rely on this board for help. Thanks again!

[996scott]

I use simple green with good results