Tube Style Bilge Pump: Doesn't Work

[Loquat]

I flooded the bilge (on purpose as a test) and the manual bilge pump would not pump out the water. It is a tube style wilcox crittenden(I think) bronze pump, like a bicycle pump on a '74 boat.

The photo shows the pump on the bottom left, the handle can be seen.

How do I get this thing working? Rebuild kit? What is the lever after the pump do(hard to see but it's at the end of the fender)? for priming? Does anyone have any experience with these?

[capn_billl]

I'm not familiar with that one, but you just made the case for testing bilge pumps BEFORE you need them.

[Lancerbye]

As you mentioned it is hard to see. It looks like a standard flapper valve lift pump. The bottom of the shaft which is hooked to that handle is a piston with a flapper valve. As you pull up the water is sucked up the tube and the flapper is closed, as you push down the flapper is opened and the water is allowed to move into the tube which will be sucked out on the next cycle. You may have to remove the top take the handle, cover, rod and piston out. Clean and replace any parts needed ( o-ring, flapper material) This is the most simple bilge pump available.

[Mark1977]

Sometimes i think these pumps just have to be primed. Usually you can take the handle out fill the pump with water to get it started.

[CalebD]

I removed a similar pump on our boat this spring for inspection because it was not working properly. I found that debris had been sucked up from the bilge and was blocking the suction. Once the obstruction was removed and the pump put back in it worked fine.
Check the hoses for obstructions.

[Uncle Buck]

Very likely an obstruction (and possibly priming) issue. Keep your bilge super clean (I use a shop vac, stem to stern) - learned this lesson the hard way....