Intermittent ballast pump issues (air pocket???)

[luckee37]

I've been having trouble filling one of my ballast tanks. It works about 60% of the time and doesn't work about 40% of the time. It appears that the pump is working since I can hear/feel it when it's on, I've taken it apart to see that the impeller is spinning freely, it works "most of the time," and I can see water coming from a tiny pinhole hole in the hose downstream from the pump.

For whatever reason, it seems as if the pump is pumping water into the hose, but that there is either not enough pressure to get the water up the next 24" and into the ballast tank or that there is some form of air pocket or other type of air pressure that is preventing the water from entering the tank. The most plausible explanation seems to be that there may be some form of air pocket that is causing a problem, but I wouldn't know where to start. Any ideas?

05 SAN with stock pump and ballast tank.

Thanks!

[xrichard]

I'd try a new impeller. I had a similar intermittent problem that showed up on emptying the tanks. Replacing the impellers solved it.

[WakeSlayer]

The 05 has aerator (bilge) pumps. I would recommend ditching the stock system and going with actual impeller pumps and bags. You gain space when not in use, time for riding, and weight when full.

[bchesley]

Make sure all of your vents are free and clear of bugs. I the south we have dirt dobbers (black wasp) that will get into the thru hulls and clog them up. I worked for days trying to fix a buddies system and it turned out to be a dobbers nest.

[Beach-TJ]

I will second what bchesley said, I have had the dirt dobber problem. I also find it helps to have the boat moving, 15 or 20 mph, to force prime the pumps. With my 04 it helps, not sure if the pickups are the same on your boat.

[luckee37]

If I were to keep the same stock setup (instead of switching to the bags), does anyone have any recommendations on what type of pumps I should use as replacements? If I have to replace them, I wouldn't mind increasing the GPM while I'm at it.

[teamenzo]

Jabsco's, solid pumps.

[ers906]

Jabsco's or johnsons, but I am confused. DIdnt you say in the original post that you have taken the pumps apart and seen the impeller? That would mean that you have the pumps already. I would check your connections, I had a loose connection which caused intermittent filling (on the intake side of the pump). I ended up only needing to place some plumbers teflon tape around the fitting and reseat it in the pump. Works like a charm now

[WakeSlayer]

Bilge pumps have impellers too. Just not replaceable neoprene ones.

If you want to keep the bilge pump set up, get a Tsunami or something along that line. But, that said, you will be way happier if you put the time and money into getting a proper setup installed. There is a reason CC went to impeller pump systems in 07.

[Chexi]

I suspect he meant to say that he has seen the "propeller".

[luckee37]

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't think that it's an electrical connection because even when it's not filling up I can still hear/feel the pump operating and I can even see water coming out of a tiny pinhole leak 2 inches up the hose (between the pump and the ballast tank). So it seems that water is being passed through the pump but that it isn't making it all the way into the tank - on a random basis.