2012 Z3 Ballast Pumps Air Lock?

[artvandelay]

I have a 2012 Z3 with Surf Ballast

The boat stays up on a lift when not in use

Each time the boat comes down off the lift, the Front Left Pump will not Fill (Air Locks I think)

I have to lift up the entire floor, pull the top of the pump out of the housing, then re-install the pump.

It then works fine


Occasionally the other pumps have similar issues as well, which also involves lifting up the floor, and pulling those pumps out and replacing them, but the Front Left is the most consistently problematic.


Anyone have a solution? My local dealer says Tige is aware but has no fix.

[chpthril]

Does the boat have factory installed check valves in the fill hose somewhere after the pump, likely within 18"? Can you post a pic of the pumps so we can see the orientation of the outlets?

[artvandelay]

Does the boat have factory installed check valves in the fill hose somewhere after the pump, likely within 18"? Can you post a pic of the pumps so we can see the orientation of the outlets?

Yes, the factory check valves were replaced last offseason, with no improvement to the situation

I don't have pics at the moment, boat is in storage at Local Dealer (SECA Marine)...

[chpthril]

Its likely the presence of the check valve and its location as the cause, rather then a defective valve. What style of valve was there and is there now?

I guess we'll pick this up 'bout May 2016

[snows56]

I have the same issue, I read a forum somewhere they said drive forward, then put the boat in reverse to prime the pump.... this works sometimes but is very annoying. I'm anxious to see the resolution.

[artvandelay]

Its likely the presence of the check valve and its location as the cause, rather then a defective valve. What style of valve was there and is there now?

I guess we'll pick this up 'bout May 2016

Heh, Yes, Probably. I will take pics in the spring

[artvandelay]

I have the same issue, I read a forum somewhere they said drive forward, then put the boat in reverse to prime the pump.... this works sometimes but is very annoying. I'm anxious to see the resolution.

Snow 56, is it your Front Left that has issues more than the others?

[chpthril]

Snow,

Does your boat also have factory install check valves? can you post a pic of one and the pumps? The solution is easy, just need to know where to start.

[dom w. forte]

You also need to make sure that all the pumps outlet hoses are running up hill for at least a foot and half distance other wise the pumps cant purge the air in the line to prime, that's why when you undo the pump and put it back your probably letting the air purge.

[JohnZ3]

Same year - same boat, 2012 Z3, same issue.

I've replaced all the pumps, warranty, and still have the problem with the front left ballast.

I can get it to fill while driving forward at about 5 miles an hour. Once it fills once, I can drain and refill it for the rest of the day or trip with no issue.

[Travism]

I have same issue same year boat and front left ballast lol and live in Calgary.

[dodgeman]

I have a 2013 Z1 and have the same issues since day 1. Have had all the pumps, check valves, bags, EVERYTHING looked at by my dealer ( Seca Marine). Still have no solution, but this is starting to piss me off, spend this kind of money and no answers. I think Tige knows about this and is not willing to fix it because they would have to admit that they did something wrong. Want to point out that Seca has done everything to get this fixed, great dealer. This is on Tige!!

[chpthril]

I have a 2013 Z1 and have the same issues since day 1. Have had all the pumps, check valves, bags, EVERYTHING looked at by my dealer ( Seca Marine). Still have no solution, but this is starting to piss me off, spend this kind of money and no answers. I think Tige knows about this and is not willing to fix it because they would have to admit that they did something wrong. Want to point out that Seca has done everything to get this fixed, great dealer. This is on Tige!!

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

[dmbisbest]

I had the same issue and had my hoses switched around by the dealer. Thus they took the end that was close to the pump and put it up by the bag and vice versa. This has completely fixed this issue and I think this is @mnpracing's solution when he upgraded the ballast on his 2013 Z3.

[artvandelay]

I have a 2013 Z1 and have the same issues since day 1. Have had all the pumps, check valves, bags, EVERYTHING looked at by my dealer ( Seca Marine). Still have no solution, but this is starting to piss me off, spend this kind of money and no answers. I think Tige knows about this and is not willing to fix it because they would have to admit that they did something wrong. Want to point out that Seca has done everything to get this fixed, great dealer. This is on Tige!!

I will be so encouraged if we can get this figured out

SECA is awesome, agreed