Mayfair livewell pump not priming

[Steve Rizza]

Anybody else have problems getting their Mayfair pump to start pumping water. Most of the time I can start it by backing up the boat. Sometimes I have to reach into the bilge and crack the top open to let the air out.

It's mounted as close to the transom as possible, and looks to be about as level as can be(no way to change that).

Never had any trouble with the Rule pump.(untill it burned up)



Any ideas????? It is really a P.I.T.A...:angry:



Steve

 

[Mike Newman]

I had the same problem with the Mayfair pump I put in to replace my original Rule. My local Tracker dealer(not the dealer I bought from) told me the Mayfair was the specified replacement, but what I found out is that the pump housing has an adapter on it that puts it approx 2 inches higher than the Rule. In my PT175 I think that put it enough above the water line that it absolutely would not prime. Sometimes it would prime when I backed up, but not always. I bought a new Rule at BPS in springfield on my way to Texas and put it in last week so I have not tired it yet, but assume it will be back to normal.

 

[Major Mark]

I'm probably going to be adding a 2nd bilge pump to my Targa, an Auto pump one. Are you saying a Mayfair isn't as good or reliable as a Rule?

 

[Steve Rizza]

Downstream,

That sounds like what I have going on. Maybe I'll try turning it on it's side and see if it puts it below the waterline.



Steve

 

[Steve Rizza]

Major Mark,

I don't know about reliability as this is only the second pump I've had. The first was a Rule.



I went with the Mayfair because the top can be easily taken off to clear out any debries jammed in the impeller.

The Rule had to be completely removed from the transom and screws taken out to do it.



Steve