How to prime Airconditioner pump

[AllanS]

Just tried my AC for the first time this year, a 1989 440AC, and don’t see any water coming out of the three hull exits. First time this has happened. Been on the hard this winter where I flushed the lines with pink.

I suspect the pump has lost it’s prime. If so is there a technique to restore the prime?

 

[Woody]

Just tried my AC for the first time this year, a 1989 440AC, and don’t see any water coming out of the three hull exits. First time this has happened. Been on the hard this winter where I flushed the lines with pink.

I suspect the pump has lost it’s prime. If so is there a technique to restore the prime?

Just in case...is the seacock open?

You can pull the output hose off the pump, turn it on, it should prime up.

 

[AllanS]

Yep, seacock is open. Would it help to add water to the strainer?

 

[Lazy Daze]

In addition to the above...

You can just go for a ride - that will often do it.

You can also use a simple hand pump (or garden hose) to push water in THROUGH the hull fitting(s). You may only have to do that second one at one fitting (ideally the one furthest away).

 

[firecadet613]

A shop vac on the thru hull fitting on the side of your boat will also go the trick.

 

[AllanS]

Prime accomplished!

After reading your helpful responses, I know I had to either push water to the pump from the inflow or outflow side. Knowing this, I realized that I had a modified strainer cap on my generator strainer that had a garden hose fitting and ball-valve. So I swapped the AC strainer cap with the generator strainer cap, attached a hose to the AC strainer cap, shut the seacock, and turned on the hose faucet. Within seconds water streamed out all three hull exits, so I turned on one of the AC units, the pump started, I opened the seacock, turned off the hose faucet, and viliola, prime was accomplished.

Thanks for your suggestions! I highly advise getting one of these modified strainer caps with a garden hose fitting!

 

[mrsrobinson]

Love when sh&%#t works out

 

[spikedaddy99]

Got a picture of that?

 

[440 Jim]

With my '89 440CV I leave the strainer cap off after cleaning the screen and housing, open the seacock and let it fill the housing up, then cap it and go.
I do use a waterhose adapter I made up to fwd/rev flush the heat exchangers though, works great.

 

[DougLas]

Start both motors put them in reverse to push water under the boat. Turn on AC the props causing water pressure will force water into the AC inlet that will prime the pump.