Air conditioning water supply not pumping

[stormyj]

Hi all,
So, I bought a new boat to me, and when I bought it they seller said that sometimes, when starting the AC, you have to open the pump located in the bilge a bit to let water run out of it to "prime" it. Does that suggest the pump needing a new impeller or something else? Im new to these pumps in a boat. My last boat didnt have a gen or ac or anything like that. any ideas why I would have to do that? I would think the pump is strong enough to pull the water through the thru hull and right into the ac unit.
Thanks

 

[crazy charlie]

Needing a prime suggests something aint exactly right.Impeller is a good possibility.Also something as simple as an o ring or seal may be needing replacement.Air is entering somewhere for some reason and requiring a prime OR the impeller is not fully intact and cant get things started without some help.You have to disassemble and have a look or just replace it depending on your capability.Charlie

 

[stormyj]

Needing a prime suggests something aint exactly right.Impeller is a good possibility.Also something as simple as an o ring or seal may be needing replacement.Air is entering somewhere for some reason and requiring a prime OR the impeller is not fully intact and cant get things started without some help.You have to disassemble and have a look or just replace it depending on your capability.Charlie

Yes, I will probably open it up and take a look at the impeller. Might have a chip out of it or bad blade, who knows. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Grub54891]

When launching the first time of the season, sometimes you may have to prime if the pump is to high in the bilge. After that it should be fine. If not something isn’t right.