Bilge, ballast, etc.

[Kylemac70]

My wife and I took our 2017 Z3 out today for a surf set.

After being out there for a couple of hours my wife noticed a squeaking noise. I listened for it but never heard anything so we resumed. On my last set, the wake completely washed out so I thought that maybe an actuator had gone out.

After we drained the ballast, I put the engine in drive and heard water splashing around in the engine compartment. I open the hatch in water was pretty high, which explained the noise. The water was almost covering the V drive and gas tank. I switched the bilge to drain it but was surprised that it didn’t come on automatically.

My suspicion is that the front ballast tanks have a leak on the inlet or outlet, but that wouldn’t explain the actuators not functioning. Is there a weight limit on them? Fortunately the boat is under warranty, so it will be going in next week.


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[freeheel4life]

Auto bilge fuse at the battery is probably blown.

[Kylemac70]

Auto bilge fuse at the battery is probably blown.

Thank you! That’s what I’ve been reading as a common culprit. Do you recommend going to a 10 amp fuse? Also, do you know where it’s located?


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[freeheel4life]

Yes. Ditch the 7.5A and go for a 10A. It should be wired directly to the battery + on the port aide battery. Its a brown wire to an inline fuse holder. Might be tucked up in there a bit.

[Kylemac70]

Thank you!

I had probably 8 inches of water in there before we caught it. Should I be concerned?

It was almost up to the top of the v-drive. In fact when I put it in gear, we could hear the water moving from it spinning. (That’s how I caught it)


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[hcooperrn]

Same situation, '17 Z3 as well -- freeheel's advice worked for us, I switched to a 10a fuse and stopped collecting water. For the high fluid, when you're in the water again, run for just a minute, pull your dipsticks, and check the fluid. If it's frothy/milkshake, water got in, and I would get it back on the trailer and replace the fluids asap.

[freeheel4life]

Usually as long as the water doesn't get up above the breather on the Vdrive they don't take in water. Definitely do as Hcoopern recommended and check the yellow dipstick on vdrive and makes sure you don't have yellow milkshake on your hands

[Kylemac70]

Very helpful gentleman. Thank you. Is it the same kind of fuse that you would find in a fuse box in your car? Or is it in in-line fuse?


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[freeheel4life]

Standard ATO blade type fuse that you would find in your car. Its inside a little rubber holder with a cap to keep water out. Peel cap up and off and change the fuse.

[Wakeman22]

Very helpful gentleman. Thank you. Is it the same kind of fuse that you would find in a fuse box in your car? Or is it in in-line fuse?


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Inline by the battery. Same on my boat too.

[Kylemac70]

Thanks again guys. Much appreciated.


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