2000 Supra Lauch- Air Lock in Ballast- Help

BigTimer

So I have an air lock in my stock ballast that I can't figure out how to fix. Well, at least that is what I think is wrong. First 10 times out this year had no problems, worked like a charm. Then the last few times out, it only works about 20% of the time. We have to mess with it for a while then all of the sudden it works. The pumps is running and there is water in the tube, but the water is not moving into the tank. Makes no sense. I tried to figure out the problem the other day thinking it was a bad connection or bad pump, but couldn't figure anything out. Had the whole thing taken apart. Pump is working fine, air release valve on tank is working fine, all connections are tight. The only two things I haven't checked yet are to take the pump apart to see if something is caught up in it and to take the check valve out and see if it is funtioning properly. Anyone else ever have a problem with this. FYI, it is an Attwood 1100 GPH attached through the hull of the boat that pumps the water into the ballast tank. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

SupraBoarder · Posted: May 20, 2003 11:47 am Post subject:

Welp, I hate to tell you this, but it's something you're going to have to live with for a while. I've talked to other launch owners, people at my local dealer, and also directly to the people at skiers choice. Everyone seems to agree that the best thing to do is take the boat to 25mph and then turn the pump on, and then slow down. Taking it up to speed makes mine work everytime, I think because it forces water into the pump. MANY people have this problem. The dealer that I bought mine from told me to take it back to them, so I did, they fixed it under warranty and then about a week later it started not working again, so I just live with it. You can go to the owners part of www.supraboats.com and there's more info there on this and other things.

SupraDave · Newbie Joined: 11 Apr 2003 Posts: 4 City: Augusta, GA

This is just a total guess but maybe try to put a garden hose up to the intake hole and force water in it. That way maybe when you start the pump it will have water in it to prime it. But again, that is a total guess!
Good Luck!

grady · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 547 City: d-block

we have the same problem...its a pain too...we try to go about 25 like supraboarder said and turn the pumps on but that doesnt work...we tried sittin still but that doesnt work either...so we just let the damn things run till they fill...it takes a heck of a long time...but hey as long as they do eventually fill its all good

BigTimer · Posted: May 21, 2003 8:36 am Post subject:

Thanks guys. I actually took the check valve out last night and discovered that there was something stuck in it holding the valve open just a little bit. This was allowing the water that was in the tube as the "primer" to flow out through the pump into the lake since there was no vacuum holding it there. I turned the ballast on after cleaning the check valve and it worked fine. I'm hoping that I really solved the problem and this isn't just a coincidence that it worked this time. Thanks for the help, though. If it continues to give me problems, I will try the 25 mph thing. Later...

hlboatsnboards · Criminal Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 93

I have heard of a lot of guys putting the boat in reverse, kinda makes the water go in the pump then. Never hurts to try it.

SupraBoarder · Posted: May 21, 2003 8:54 pm Post subject:

yeah bill I've heard of that too.