Ballast Pumps not priming on 2005 air 216

[ffmedic74]

Does anyone have problems with newer CC factory ballast pumps???? I have only had my boat out about 6 times now and sometimes the ballast pumps will not create their own draft to fill the tanks. To remediate, I have open the valves, turn the fill pumps on, and run about 15mph for about 30 seconds to get them drafting. After I do this they seem to run ok for the rest of the day. I have also had the discharge pumps cavitate on a couple occasions. The lake I am in is very clean. Any resolutions are appreciated!!!!

[Edwin]

RE: Ballast Pumps not priming on 2005 air 216

Is there any leaking from the ballast system into the bilge? Only thing I can think of is that there's a leak somewhere that allows the system to suck air instead of water.

[AbunDiga909]

RE: Ballast Pumps not priming on 2005 air 216

There tends to get air pockets stuck in there, I dont think it is from a leak. I think I know exactly what you're talking about. Most of the time I dont bother even using the pumps to fill them up. I just open the valves, and then start pulling the rider. At 20 mph or so the tanks fill up in about 30 seconds. I figure the rider can wait that amount of time for the slightly increased wake... barely noticible anyway..

[Mikeski]

On my 211 I changed the mounting location of my pumps, the factory location allowed for an air pocket to get trapped before the pump. Also moving them in front of the cable valves allows them to move water faster.

[Nates78Ski]

Yeah my buddy's '05 216 does the same thing, won't pump until we go 5-10 mph for a second & then they pump fine...

[ffmedic74]

Should I push the issue with CC? I contacted my local CC distributer and they indicated that the pumps really don't self prime well. The problem I have is that the owners manual says you just press the switch and like they fill up, but in the "real world" they don't.

[Mikeski]

I should also mention that one of my pumps was mounted so the output was lower than the input which also causes it to trap an air pocket. They just don't understand that it needs to be an uphill shot all the way from the intake to the pump output with the impeller below the waterline. Mine prime no trouble without moving an inch, just hit the button and it fills up.

[ffmedic74]

Well I took my 05 216 to the dealer. They would not water test, but put in the new ball valves per the recall by CC. Its still doing the same thing. I heard rumor that the new 216s have a single pump for fill and discharge or that that they have changed some things to correct this issue. Can anyone help with pics or decriptions so that I can educate my dealer. Thanks for your help in advance!!!!

[tvlaz]

Mikeski, what did you use to extend the valve control cables?

[NautiqueJeff]

Well I took my 05 216 to the dealer. They would not water test, but put in the new ball valves per the recall by CC. Its still doing the same thing. I heard rumor that the new 216s have a single pump for fill and discharge or that that they have changed some things to correct this issue. Can anyone help with pics or decriptions so that I can educate my dealer. Thanks for your help in advance!!!!

The ball valves aren't the ones that should have been replaced. They should have replaced the Flow-Rite valves with the T-H Marine valves. The ball valves hardly ever go bad.

Click below for more information about the Flow-Rite valve replacements.

[ffmedic74]

Sorry. They replaced the Flow Rite valves. I am not really having problems with the valves leaking, especially now since they replaced them. I am having problems with the intake pumps sucking up water and the output pumps pumping out the tanks during the first part of the day. Should I ask them to put in new pumps or a different brand pump under warranty???

[Mikeski]

Ty,

The cables on my 211 reached no problem, didn't need to extend them. They are only about 6" behind their factory location. All in all I am still not completely satisfied with my plumbing. I forsee a 1.5" through hull, 1.5" electronic gate valve, and 1.5" common manifold in the future. I don't know if I will make it happen this year or next but it will probably solve all my issues. While the TH valves are a 100% improvement over the flow-wrongs they are still dinkly little flow limiters that are a PITA to operate. I would rather just slam 4 switches into fill mode (the fourth being the control for the electronic gate valve). One of the downsides of being a multi-tasker is having to move water around often.

[krs0394]

Sorry. They replaced the Flow Rite valves. I am not really having problems with the valves leaking, especially now since they replaced them. I am having problems with the intake pumps sucking up water and the output pumps pumping out the tanks during the first part of the day. Should I ask them to put in new pumps or a different brand pump under warranty???

My 216 does the same thing. Squeeky Wheel Gets the Oil, have them correct the problem. This is nothing new, sound like CC has always had issues with thier ballast systems after reading in these forums. I have learned to deal with it. I always have extra ballast anyway so once my tanks are filled they stay that way for awhile. Keep us posted.

[ffmedic74]

Well the boat is hopefully getting picked up at the house and taken to another dealership to see what they can do this week. More to come.....