Starboard Bow Ballast Pump Doesn't work 2014 RZ4

[Cloud]

The weathers finally turned around in WA and I've taken her out a couple times and I've discovered
the Starboard Bow Ballast pump doesn't work.

I thought I filled all of them and when I was draining I noticed no water draining from the starboard bow side vents. I was wondering why the wake on the port side was clean while the star was washy. lol

I tried just that one a couple times and the sound was quiet and weaker then the other pumps.

I popped up the inside cover and by looking at the pumps and tubes there was no water in the one leading to the star/bow side. The cap on the tsunami pump was loose compared to the other three. Like I could turn is left and right a little bit while the others would not move. I took off the cap and immediately water went into the tube so I thought there was some pressure problem or something? So I put the cap back on and the pump sounds about the same at the others now but it still doesn't pump water. I left it on for like a couple minutes and the bow never sank or did any water drain from it. Maybe the seal isn't completely on since I can move it back and forth a bit? It doesn't leak any water though. From the couple times I've taken the boat out, I have never had any water come out of the transom plug.


I know I have warranty and have it set to go to the dealer, but they got a 3 week waiting list. Any of you guys have any suggestions?

[chpthril]

1) make sure the ball valve is open.

2) with the boat in the water, pump running, pop the cartridge loose and lift up just enough to let some water in, then pop it back in place.

3) break out the volt meter and see if its got solid battery voltage to it.

[JohnZ3]

My boat had the same problem last summer. Ended up replacing 4 pumps, under warranty, over the winter.

A quick fix for now, until you can get it replaced, is:

Turn on the pump, get into the bilge and do the same thing you described in your post. Open the top a little and let water come in.
This will prime the pump and it should fill the bag. It worked for me at least. The pump needs to be on first though.
If it's working, you'll here a noticeable sound change coming from the pump.
Good luck.

[Cloud]

Thanks for the comments.

I popped the cap loose to let water in, but it wasn't when the pump was running. I'll try that.

And yes, the valve was open. I wish that was the only problem, would have been a quick fix.

@John
Did you have to open the cap every time you wanted to fill up the ballast?

[JohnZ3]

Yes. I have a 2012 Z3 and my dealer said that the pumps I have aren't the best.
I don't remember the brand. They wanted to change them all at once, but Tige said not until they fail.

I don't know if you have the same pumps as I did, but I guess they have there issues.
A bad seal and no prime.

Get on your dealers waiting list if you can, until then you have a solution to keep you on the water until it gets fixed.
Pain in the *** I know, but you should only have to do it once per boating trip.

[chpthril]

If popping the cartridge to allow water in, primps the pump and fixes the issue until the next trip out, its not a pump problem, but a hose routing/plumbing problem. Aerator pumps are like tires...... brand it with what even name you want, its probably a good pump. There are only a few major players in the marine live well pump arena: Attwood, Johnson, Rule and Parana. Out of all of them, the Johnson (used to be Mayfair) is the only one Ive ever seen a real issue with. As they ages, the nipples got brittle and would brake off. The outlet nipple just happen to be part of the body, so when the outlet nipple broke, you had to replace the whole pump.

[Z1Fan]

For what the pump is worth, change it yourself , and keep a spare like probably most tige owners do

[luke]

My boat had the same problem last summer. Ended up replacing 4 pumps, under warranty, over the winter.

A quick fix for now, until you can get it replaced, is:

Turn on the pump, get into the bilge and do the same thing you described in your post. Open the top a little and let water come in.
This will prime the pump and it should fill the bag. It worked for me at least. The pump needs to be on first though.
If it's working, you'll here a noticeable sound change coming from the pump.
Good luck.

X 3 I had the same problem this method worked for me too . I had the Johnson pumps that kinda sounds funny Johnson pump haa!!

[Cloud]

My pumps are the Attwood Tsunami pumps. I'm hoping it's just a pump issue and not a routing problem. I think it's a seal or something because all the other pumps won't wiggle unless you press the red tab in. The broken one wiggles just by applying very little force.

[chpthril]

All the seal does is prevent water form leaking between the body and cartridge. If water is not leaking, its not a seal problem.

[GBNY]

I had a similar problem, turned out that the pump came off the bag, was pumping water into the boat..2013 z1

[mls6722]

Check for debris in the line also.

[auburntigegal]

I have some issues with my ballast pumps too. One is not filling and one is not draining. 2010 RZ4. My owner's manual is completely useless when it comes to these pumps. Is the pump that drains the rear ballast seriously in this extremely hard to get to spot - I mean you can barely see the thing much less reach it and when you do reach it, it is with finger tips only and then you are doing it blind because you have to contort yourself around to the an arm into that area. HOW in the heck could this be any harder to replace???? Is there something simple I am missing????
(Sorry to hijack your thread Cloud - but since you have the RZ4 I thought maybe I could get some answers here....) Thanks in advance!!!
(Oh and my dealer no longer deals with Tige's but he would be willing to help me, but it's an hour and half away and going to take 2-3 weeks. I thought I could just order a new pump and replace and be good to go, but that seems to be easier said than done....