Z3 FL Ballast Won't Fill

[artvandelay]

2012 Z3

I'm on the lake, and all ballasts work except Front Left

Can hear the pump running, but no water filling

Tried emptying too: can hear the pump turn on, but no water to empty



Any ideas? Don't want to give-up the weekend to take the boat in for service

[majestic]

2012 Z3

I'm on the lake, and all ballasts work except Front Left

Can hear the pump running, but no water filling

Tried emptying too: can hear the pump turn on, but no water to empty



Any ideas? Don't want to give-up the weekend to take the boat in for service

While the pump is filling you need to reach in and pop off the top of the pump and then snap it back on. It's a common problem with the Tige Factory ballasts that I have been around and probably has an airlock.

[chpthril]

Its also a good idea to make sure the ball-valve is open. Red handle should be vertical.

[Guma]

While the pump is filling you need to reach in and pop off the top of the pump and then snap it back on. It's a common problem with the Tige Factory ballasts that I have been around and probably has an airlock.

Yep, I had to do that a few times as well.

[artvandelay]

Where can i find the pump for the FL tank in a Z3
( so i can pop off the top )

Thanks for the quick responses gys!

[Guma]

Open the white door under the rear seat, all the pumps are installed in front of the transmission. Run, your FL pump and just put your hands on them to feel which one is running. When you pop off the top, water will come up through the housing, once you put the top back on it will help prime it to get water flowing. It may take a few tries, but it works,

[artvandelay]

Open the white door under the rear seat, all the pumps are installed in front of the transmission. Run, your FL pump and just put your hands on them to feel which one is running. When you pop off the top, water will come up through the housing, once you put the top back on it will help prime it to get water flowing. It may take a few tries, but it works,

You have NO IDEA how helpful this was... thanks again Guma and everyone

Wish i had smaller arms though: that access hatch is TINY, and the pumps are in awkward, hard to reash positions

[tigecanuck]

Wish i had smaller arms though: that access hatch is TINY, and the pumps are in awkward, hard to reash positions

No need to go through the access hatch as the entire floor lifts up on hinges and sits on handy prop-rod to hold it up. Access to the pumps is now easy. We show all owners this as part of the delivery process as just like happened to me while surfing on the weekend, weeds or debris get sucked into the pump(s) and stop the flow. Lift floor, pop top off pump, clear weeds, under a minute.

[GatorMD97]

How do you lift the floor? Is there a release somewhere?

[Guma]

The problem with lifting the floor is there are bolts holding the rear seat that you have to undo. I have thought about putting wing nuts back there to make this a lot easier to remove. I no longer have the pump problem so it is really a moot point, but if given the option I would open the transmission hatch and contort my arms before I lifted the floor. But your point that if you lift the floor the pumps and more easily accesible is a very good point!

[artvandelay]

The problem with lifting the floor is there are bolts holding the rear seat that you have to undo. I have thought about putting wing nuts back there to make this a lot easier to remove. I no longer have the pump problem so it is really a moot point, but if given the option I would open the transmission hatch and contort my arms before I lifted the floor. But your point that if you lift the floor the pumps and more easily accesible is a very good point!

How'd you get rid of the pump problem?

[Guma]

How'd you get rid of the pump problem?

Make sure the hoses leaving the pumps never dip below the pump level all the way to the bags. You may have to use some zip ties to keep the hoses at a consistent level.

[hunter2010]

There are no bolts holding the hatch on my Z3, just open the little compartment and pull it up. Takes 30 seconds, full access to your tranny, fuel tanks and all ballast pumps. The RZ2 has bolts holding the rear cushion on that need to be taken off prior to lifting the main hatch. I've even in a few different Z3's and none had the bolts holding it down.

My FL pump has done the same as well.

[Guma]

There are no bolts holding the hatch on my Z3, just open the little compartment and pull it up. Takes 30 seconds, full access to your tranny, fuel tanks and all ballast pumps. The RZ2 has bolts holding the rear cushion on that need to be taken off prior to lifting the main hatch. I've even in a few different Z3's and none had the bolts holding it down.

My FL pump has done the same as well.

Yea my Z3 I have to remove the bolts in each corner of the rear seat to take out the rear seat to get the floor to lift up. I've had it open 3 times now and didn't see any other way to open it. Maybe I am missing something or maybe they changed this configuration later on.

[NHarp1]

Floor Pannel

Funny...2012 Z3 model floor pannel should come up the same unless Tige changed something.
My 2012 RZR simply lifts up with no bolts to remove. Makes it very handy!