aerator problem

[swampmusic]

Looking for help with my bait & livewells. Sometimes when I turn the aerator on, I can hear the motor humming, but no water is being pumped. Then if I crank up the boat motor and plane out for a little while, and then stop & try it again, the aerator might work great until the next time I move again. Anyone have any ideas?

[NCangler]

On my 215 there is a lever in the bilge to switch the pump between the raw water washdown and the baitwell. I'm not sure if the 170 is that way or not. But if I've switched it to the washdown and then try to use the baitwell, the pump will run but no water will come out. That is probably not your issue though since the baitwell pump works for you sometimes after going on plane awhile. I'll quiz the factory folks to see if they have any ideas.

[jebsr50]

Swampmusic, I have the same problem sometimes and have found that the tube stops up. When you run out on plane for a while you probably blow the obstruction out. I use to turn the pump on with the same results as you and had to open the valve and blow through it. It's a matter of screening the pickup tube to keep grass ect out. Hope this helps . James

[swampmusic]

Hey thanks a lot for the help. Is the intake the one on the back that is threaded?

[fridaysoff]

swampmusic,
I don't know what year boat you have. I had an 04 170CC. The pick up tube was on the stern. It was a threaded tube with a screw on screen on it. It was below the water line so it would pull water in while you are moving slow.If I took off on plane it would be out of the water and quit pumping. The newer model boats have a high speed pickup on the bottom of the boat. It should always pump water into your livewell.I had to take the screen off and buy some elbows and fabricate a high speed pickup on my 2004 model. After that I never lost prime again. Hope this helps.
JD

[NCangler]

As jebsr50 said, it sounds like you're picking up debris in the pickup and getting on plane flushes it out.

[glehav]

Originally Posted by NCangler

On my 215 there is a lever in the bilge to switch the pump between the raw water washdown and the baitwell. I'm not sure if the 170 is that way or not. But if I've switched it to the washdown and then try to use the baitwell, the pump will run but no water will come out. That is probably not your issue though since the baitwell pump works for you sometimes after going on plane awhile. I'll quiz the factory folks to see if they have any ideas.

randy do you know if my 08 215 is made like that with the lever in the bilge because i was thinking that the livewell pump was just losing its prime i have been takeing the top off the livewell pump and letting water get in the pump and it will work untill i take the boat out of the water ever time i put the boat back in the water i have to do this . but my washdown has been working fine without any primeing problems . i can use both my washdown and livewell at the same time.so i guess there is no valve but why want the livewell pump prime itself. i know the dealer put the washdown in maybe i need to ask them ... thanks

[NCangler]

I checked with the factory and here was their response:

The lever is to allow water to the pump. The same pump runs the raw water washdown and the bait well so it is not a switch for one or the other. If the raw water is working but the baitwell is not then more than likely the valve on the fill inside the baitwell is closed.