Ballast pump issue

[hondaprlud]

The port ballast tank won't fill unless underway. Is there a way to repair or something to check on these?

Its a 2004 210 with the factory setup.

[gride300]

if that's the case i'd have to say your pump needs to be looked at. either blown fuse or messed up pump.

[hondaprlud]

It runs, you can hear it. It just seems like it needs primed. Once it's pumping it'll keep going but if you're stopped and turn the pump on it won't work unless you drive forward to prime it. The pumps on the other tanks work under either condition.

[arj]

Have a look at his post, maybe it can help.

http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...ht=arj+ballast

Good luck

Arj

[Red57Bird]

I've had this problem before and I traced it back to some trash (grass, sticks, leaves, etc.) that was clogging the pump. I used a Shop Vac in reverse to blow out the junk and it immediately started working. I noticed this past weekend that the pump stopped working again, so I'll need to look at it again.

[Shooter]

This is a common problem. I have the same issue with my 03. I did some research and found many others with the same issue. It appears to be a design flaw. If you find an easy fix besides swapping to impeller pumps, let us know.

In the mean time, I fill my tanks and the port normally catches up during the first rider's set.

[bowvan]

My port pump did the same thing. It's "air-locking". Take a close look at the intake plumbing and re-route the hose so that there aren't any low spots or "P" traps were water can collect. The line sould be free and clear of any water when the boat is out of the water and the valve is open. You shouldn't have to blow out any water, it should drain on it's own.

The other thing you can do is install a non flow restricting check-valve right after the intake scoop. This will keep the pump wet all the time and keep you primed.

If you have the cable valves installed, think about servicing them or replacing them. They should negate the need for a check valve and keep the pump wet and primed when closed. When the valves go bad, they allow the pump to drain. The trapped water further down the line causes the system to lock up. You most likely never had issues untill your valves when bad.

So it's either service/replace the valves or re-route the intake hose. Or both.