Water Pump Issue

B

Bacchus280

New Member
Aug 8, 2019
4
Boat Info
280 Sunsport (1999)
Engines
5.7L Mercruisers (2)
Hello my name is Brian,

I just recently acquired a (new to me) 1999 280 SunSport with 5.7L Mercruisers. Just getting familiar with this type of boat (my experience comes from a Center Console fishing boat with an outboard)
I apologize for any annoying questions in advance.

Water system...
~Water tank is full, water pump is switched on, pumps up and stops, open faucet (3 total) and get a short burst if pressurized water and a trickle. Is it air in the system?? If the faucet is open the pump runs and water trickles. If I close the faucet for 5-10 seconds the pump stops and I will get another short burst. I have held the faucets open for several minutes, starting from the furthest back etc.


Vacu-Flush System...
~Another new system to me, puck up on foot handle... water trickles into bowl. Press down on foot lever and water is sucked out. I have a 3-position, Key-Operated switch on the wall in the Head labeled - Off, On, Macerator. When the switch is ON... I hear a pump below start pumping to creat the vacuum function...I Assume. Do i leave that key-switch in the ON position or turn it I off after the vacuum pump stops? Not sure how long it takes to pump up as I didn’t let it go for mor than 10-15 seconds as I wasn’t sure how the system works...any info on this system in regards to operation & maintenance is appreciated.

I will have other mechanical questions as I dig into the boat further. I appreciate your input and look forward to being part of the SeaRay family.

ALSO - if any other members have 280 Sunsports, I’d like to hear about your experience with this boat. I like it a lot, but I doesn’t seem as popular or as common as the Sundancers etc.

Thanks again!

Brian

 
Regards the water flow issue. Check the line from the tank to the pump and there will be st least a strainer and possibly a filter too. Clean and/or change those items and the volume will be back to normal.
 
Water...

Checking the filter/strainer (it is likely attached to your water pump) is a good first step. Especially if the water sat untreated for a while - there could be a lot of gunk in the tank that will need to be cleaned out. Also, the aerators at your faucets could be clogged.

Do you have a water heater?

--------------------------------

VacuFlush...

You may or may not have a macerator. The key switch is generic. Take a look at your blackwater holding tank and follow the larger lines coming off it. If you have a macerator, one of the lines will go to an overboard discharge pump and then to a seacock on the bilge floor. If you have that - more info can be added...

Yes, you can leave the key switch in the "on" position all day. Once the system builds pressure (30-45 seconds) it will shut off and shouldn't turn back on again till the toilet is flushed. If it runs again by itself, it will most likely need the duckbills (one way valves) replaced. But that's a normal wear item and not expensive.

Your owner's manual may have more info about this - and you may be able to download it from SR's website. Or, just google for Vac information. Also, search this forum for threads about it... there's a crapload of them......... ;)
 
Wanderer 290 said:
Regards the water flow issue. Check the line from the tank to the pump and there will be st least a strainer and possibly a filter too. Clean and/or change those items and the volume will be back to normal.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info! I will look deeper into it tomorrow. Much appreciated
 
Lazy Daze said:
Water...

Checking the filter/strainer (it is likely attached to your water pump) is a good first step. Especially if the water sat untreated for a while - there could be a lot of gunk in the tank that will need to be cleaned out. Also, the aerators at your faucets could be clogged.

Do you have a water heater?

--------------------------------

VacuFlush...

You may or may not have a macerator. The key switch is generic. Take a look at your blackwater holding tank and follow the larger lines coming off it. If you have a macerator, one of the lines will go to an overboard discharge pump and then to a seacock on the bilge floor. If you have that - more info can be added...

Yes, you can leave the key switch in the "on" position all day. Once the system builds pressure (30-45 seconds) it will shut off and shouldn't turn back on again till the toilet is flushed. If it runs again by itself, it will most likely need the duckbills (one way valves) replaced. But that's a normal wear item and not expensive.

Your owner's manual may have more info about this - and you may be able to download it from SR's website. Or, just google for Vac information. Also, search this forum for threads about it... there's a crapload of them......... ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I do not have a water heater. I will check the filters and screens. I will look further into the vacuflush as you described as well. Thanks again!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,177
Messages
1,427,982
Members
61,086
Latest member
MrWebster
Back
Top