2012 Z3 Ballast Pumps Air Lock?

[artvandelay]

The fix is easy, its just a matter of knowing of the root cause.

Thanks chpthril, always appreciate your support in the forums

Will hit you up again as soon as I can get pix

[Travism]

Thanks chpthril, always appreciate your support in the forums

Will hit you up again as soon as I can get pix

I'm not sure where you store your boat, but I will not get mine back until April when they start to pull them all out of the storage building. Once I have it back I will go through with Chpthril (Mike) and try his remedy's. Mike is used to shipping me parts so it won't be a big deal to get more lol. Since your also in Calgary and I can save you some shipping and have the part thrown in with mine if you would like.

Cheers,

Travis.

[artvandelay]

I'm not sure where you store your boat, but I will not get mine back until April when they start to pull them all out of the storage building. Once I have it back I will go through with Chpthril (Mike) and try his remedy's. Mike is used to shipping me parts so it won't be a big deal to get more lol. Since your also in Calgary and I can save you some shipping and have the part thrown in with mine if you would like.

Cheers,

Travis.

Thanks Travis... mine's at SECA in Okanagan, but I'm here in Calgary

So the part delivery might work great! Thank You

Let's get in touch in the Spring.....

[chpthril]

Lets hope we dont need to ship anything, but if the fill lines have the bronze flapper type check valves installed as the OEM, thats likely an issue and would need to swap out for a different type. Maybe for those boats under warranty, the dealers can get Tige to ok the repair with a better check-valve.

[snows56]

chpthril, yes it is the front left ballast bag typically. However, the front right screws up some too. I can get a couple pictures soon to post on here, I'd definitely like to nail it down before next season. Also, sidebar question, is there a cheap option to read engine codes (PCM)? There isn't a Tige dealer close by and the place I typically use doesn't have the right equipment.

[chpthril]

Not cheap as in compared to a generic OBDII code reader you get from an auto parts store, but there are aftermarket software and data cable options that allow you to use your laptop and maybe even smart phone by now. http://www.rinda.com/marine/marine.htm

[snows56]

Mike, here is a picture of the pumps... It doesn't appear to have the factory installed check valves... Am I wrong? ImageUploadedByTapatalk1455997342.280915.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1455997359.040511.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1455997368.492910.jpg

[chpthril]

I can easily see why the bow pumps air lock. The outlets are angled down, leaving the body of the opposite the outlet, higher. The hose is also looping down creating a drain trap effect. The pumps need to be rotated 180 so the outlet is the high point and the hoses come off right over top of those fuel lines. This may be tough to do, so you may need to install a 45* street between the ball valve and pump to allow the pump to be angled and rotated.

Correct, no c/v's.

[artvandelay]

Hi Mike

Got pics this week, still having same issue with FL and others occasionally as well

SECA Okanagan installed a vented loop but that didnt help, although they are now reaching out to TIGE to try and get some support

image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg

[chpthril]

#1 Outlet looks a little downward, This can trap air on the body of the pump. The gray check valve is likely the biggest offender. In it current orientation, fill water above it will hold it closed, preventing the air from purging.

#2 & #3 outlets definitely angled down. #2 check valve same as #1m likely held closed by water. #3 check valve may also.

#4 looks like the only pump and check valve that oriented right. Outlet angled up and the check valve is horizontal. However, with the long run to the bow sac and the bow sac being higher than the hose, there could be enough pressure to hold it closed and trap air, even though the pump wants to naturally purge.

The fix is to orient the pump outlet so its got some upward travel. The check valves should be relocated closer to the sac and in a way that it is not vertical and low in the low in the line.

[artvandelay]

THANKS Mike .... Just to be clear.. the best solution is:

1) Outlets pointed upward
2) Check Valves Horizontal
3) Check Valves as close to sack as possible??
4) Check Valves Below Pump and Sack height?? (totally unsure about this one)

#1 Outlet looks a little downward, This can trap air on the body of the pump. The gray check valve is likely the biggest offender. In it current orientation, fill water above it will hold it closed, preventing the air from purging.

#2 & #3 outlets definitely angled down. #2 check valve same as #1m likely held closed by water. #3 check valve may also.

#4 looks like the only pump and check valve that oriented right. Outlet angled up and the check valve is horizontal. However, with the long run to the bow sac and the bow sac being higher than the hose, there could be enough pressure to hold it closed and trap air, even though the pump wants to naturally purge.

The fix is to orient the pump outlet so its got some upward travel. The check valves should be relocated closer to the sac and in a way that it is not vertical and low in the low in the line.