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Author Topic: SX Ballast Question  (Read 2053 times)

Ktown

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SX Ballast Question
« on: May 27, 2007, 02:28:25 am »
Finally had a chance to get back on the lake today, and I noticed that my left (port) internal ballast tank seemed to be draining after I filled it.  It shows full, then after about 15 minutes shows empty on that side only (I checked all the switches and it wasn't set to drain or L Trim).  Has anyone seen this before?  Is it possible that the valve let the water drain back out of the tank?  It doesn't appear to be leaking at the fitting, and the pump is definitely working.  I'm considering taking all the hoses off to clean everything and inspect the componets, but was wondering if anyone has any advice for troubleshooting or fixing this problem.  Has anyone actually changed the valves yet?

Thanks
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Ktown

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Re: SX Ballast Question
« Reply #1 on: May 29, 2007, 13:50:47 pm »
A little more information after yesterday's run.  It appears that the left side may be leaking in to the bilge.  My bilge pump was working overtime yesterday, and I had to leave my fill pump on to keep the left side full.  Anyone have any ideas where it could be leaking from?  I'm not sure where to look (other than the pumps and valves).

Thanks,
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Capt Rick

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Re: SX Ballast Question
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2007, 16:07:23 pm »
Get me the hull number...

Fill system port only . Leave bow low and see if it leaks and shows up in bilge.
                              leave bow high and see if it leaks and show in bilge.

Possible sparts are next to fill lines there is PHi hatch white. leaks from hose broken. Leaks from bad internal seal on tank....
capt rick
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Ktown

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Re: SX Ballast Question
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2007, 19:52:14 pm »
The hull number is TMME2001E102.  Thanks for the troubleshooting advice.  I will try all of those this coming weekend.

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Ktown

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Re: SX Ballast Question
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2007, 05:06:33 am »
If it's not the hoses or the PHi hatch, is it definitely a seal?  Is it possible to fix an internal seal? My boat is a 2002 and I think it is a non-bladder system.
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Capt Rick

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Re: SX Ballast Question
« Reply #5 on: June 02, 2007, 02:41:20 am »
Whoops lets first check where leak is. most are at fittiings , pumps, oring seals. screws going into hull from fuel tank brackets. Are you original owner...

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Ktown

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Re: SX Ballast Question
« Reply #6 on: June 02, 2007, 04:36:37 am »
I'm the second owner.  I purchased it last year and I don't honestly know that it has been holding water properly since I bought it.  I am going to steam clean all the parts and make sure all the lines are clear and working correctly.  After that, I will try the troubleshooting your recommended.  Is it possible to fill the tanks using a fake-a-lake over the intake?  This may be the easiest way to control the angles etc...

Thanks again for the help.
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Capt Rick

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Re: SX Ballast Question
« Reply #7 on: June 02, 2007, 13:11:12 pm »
You can remove the water level senders on each tank it is in bow area. and fill with hose. or fake a lake ...
Do one tank at a time.
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cyclone

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Re: SX Ballast Question
« Reply #8 on: June 02, 2007, 14:46:39 pm »
The senders are under the back seat corner cushions. The vent lines are in the forward port storage and behind the drivers side foot panel. Not sure what Capt rick was referring to, PHi hatch or whatever.
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Pete

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Ktown

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Re: SX Ballast Question
« Reply #9 on: June 02, 2007, 22:27:15 pm »
I spent the day cleaning-out the bilge today.  Looks like the previous owner (or shop) must have spilled some oil when they serviced it.  Now I know why oil spills are such a pain.  I removed all the parts for the ballast (pic below) and didn't notice any holes or loose fittings.  I cleaned everything up so I can check for leaks.  Before I put everything back together, I think I will plug the input line and fill the tank to check it for leaks.  I would rather not pull up the senders, so does anyone know if I can fill the tank through the vents?  I have seen water exit this way, I just don't know if it will fill as well.
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Ktown

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Re: SX Ballast Question
« Reply #10 on: June 02, 2007, 23:56:58 pm »
Good & Bad news.  I found the leak (sorta).  I filled the port ballast tank, first through the vents (this does work, but is slow) and then through the sender under the back seat (much faster).  I checked the bilge area and no leaks around the input fittings.  I then started pulling panels to see where it was leaking.  It turns out that it is leaking in the back of the boat, near the rudder connection.  I pulled the back panel and below is what I found (the picture doesn't show the water running well, but it was coming out of the floor steady).  I believe it would have poured out of the port side as well, but the boat was slanted toward the right.  You can't see the pre-cut hole in the picture, but the boat has 2 pre-cut circular holes on either side.  I'm guessing to allow water to dump to the bilge.  I'm not sure I know how to go about fixing this (other than ordering some Flyhigh Sacs).  If anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears.  Thanks.
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Ktown

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Re: SX Ballast Question
« Reply #11 on: June 03, 2007, 00:01:18 am »
Forgot to add the picture.
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Capt Rick

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Re: SX Ballast Question
« Reply #12 on: June 03, 2007, 02:42:13 am »
Now fill it and put the bow down ... To determine if the leaks is from the aft or bow area..... did you see any water near bilge pump...
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Ktown

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Re: SX Ballast Question
« Reply #13 on: June 03, 2007, 03:05:22 am »
The bow was actually down when I tested it.  The water was leaking at the back and then flowing from the back toward the bilge pump.  There was no water leaking anywhere else, including near the bilge pump.  After I found the leak, I jacked the bow up to get the water to empty from the back drain.  The wate still continued to lead from the same two locations.
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Capt Rick

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Re: SX Ballast Question
« Reply #14 on: June 03, 2007, 16:16:24 pm »
I would suggest checking other side. Then if it was my boat i would use a plug where the drain is. then seal the hull and liner near rudder with 5200 black.... this ill add more ballast to that side..

Determining how much leaks out indicates where leak is. So use trash can at transom to see how much water you get out.. use water meter to show how much you put in.....
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