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problem: it seems the air conditioner valve won't open
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Author:  tarheels0_0 [ Thu Jun 02, 2011 9:13 am ]
Post subject:  problem: it seems the air conditioner valve won't open
No water is being pulled into the air connditioner. It seems like, the valve is stuck closed. Either way I turn it, nothing happens. Do I need to pull boat out of the water, and work on from underneath? Is it possible for an easty fix, if this is the problem?
thanks!
Steve
Author:  aguyindallas [ Thu Jun 02, 2011 9:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: problem: it seems the air conditioner valve won't open
Have you checked your sea strainer to make sure it is not plugged? Also, in my boat, there is a pump that pumps the water into the unit, is it working/plugged in/circuit breaker tripped etc?
Author:  Bob2135 [ Thu Jun 02, 2011 9:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: problem: it seems the air conditioner valve won't open
I have had a similar problem several time with my 318 Vista AC. What I found is, the water flow from intake to discharge has to be totally primed. Several times the AC was running, and I had no discharge from the unit from the side thru hull. What I did the first time, was actually suck (yes with my mouth!) because I had nothing else, to get water started, then the unit ran fine, and did not have any additial problems all season. The next season had similiar thing again, this time came prepared with modified hand oil pump that I could syphon the water to start. I never figured out why the system seemed to loose the syphon action, but did it very rarely. Dont know if that will help.
Author:  tarheels0_0 [ Thu Jun 02, 2011 9:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: problem: it seems the air conditioner valve won't open
I did try the same thing as you, with the old mouth, and got nothing.
I also stuck a coat hanger down the tube to the valve, thinking maybe something had clogged it, but it felt like it was hitting metal, so I was thinking the valve is just not opening.I think everything is working, it seems the pump is working, and I actually replaced the plastic piece right before the motor unit( forgot what it is called). But, it does make sense about priming it, is it possible for the valve to be stripped, and I am not doing anything when I push it up or down?
Author:  kp47 [ Thu Jun 02, 2011 10:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: problem: it seems the air conditioner valve won't open
If your AC inlet on the bottom doesnt have a 'scoop' on it then running with the seacock open will suck the water out of the line and it will take forever to get it going again. Usually if you have a generator you have the scoop, but sometimes even with the scoop it will lose prime or its damaged, the pumps on these are made to push and not pull..

All it takes is a little air in the bend of the hose and you are screwed, last time I had to take one of those water blasters to the thru hull to get it back going again. I though of trying to suck on it to get it going but people at my dock think I'm weird enough already :)

Of course the pump can be bad, strainer clogged, seacock clogged or hose clogged as well. The handle can strip on the seacock also but thats pretty rare unless it was locked up and you really had to force it.
Author:  Partycove2 [ Thu Jun 02, 2011 1:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: problem: it seems the air conditioner valve won't open
If you suspect the seacock is stripped, close it and drain your sea strainer, then open seacock back up and see if it fills the strainer with water. If not, then it is an issue with the seacock. If it does fill with water then it is a air in the line and all you have to do is take the boat out and run it on plane and it will push the air out (i have to do this almost every spring)
Author:  taz42169 [ Thu Jun 02, 2011 4:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: problem: it seems the air conditioner valve won't open
Another option (which is what I do) is prime the A/C by running water in thru the discharge. I use my extendable hook and attach a hose to reach the discharge. I backflow with water then turn on the fuse and A/C unit.

Stupid question, is the seacock valve open?
Author:  tarheels0_0 [ Thu Jun 02, 2011 6:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: problem: it seems the air conditioner valve won't open
thank you ALL for your help. It looks like I have a nice project for tomorrow.. I did open the seacock and no water at all entered. So, perhaps I do need to push some water up into it, and get all the air out of it. All, the parts seem to work, and the strainer had some old water in it, but not full!
Author:  firecadet613 [ Thu Jun 02, 2011 6:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: problem: it seems the air conditioner valve won't open
The easiest way I have found to prime mine is to slowly start to unscrew the strainer as water will start pulsing out of it purging the air...then its primed.
Author:  tarheels0_0 [ Thu Jun 02, 2011 7:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: problem: it seems the air conditioner valve won't open
okay, I will start there,, still seems odd to me, that it feels like the seacock is not even opening, but you guys know WAY more than I do, I learn something new everyday!
Like my latest adventure, I just had the boat repowered, took it out with mechanic, drove perfect, totally excited. I take it out the next day, it runs great, we drop anchor, swim for an hour, then go to start it, and it kind of struggles to turn over, it does, but then cuts off after 10 seconds, and we are unable to restart it. Batteries are charged, even changed one out, just in case, the terminals were scolding hot though.... never could get it started, had to find ANother super nice boater to tow me home. My mechanic came out the next day, and it started right up for him, he was thinking there was something grounded, but could not find the problem, so now I am terrified to go back out, I don't like to be stuck out at sea!!
Author:  wkearney99 [ Fri Jun 03, 2011 7:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: problem: it seems the air conditioner valve won't open
FIRST THING YOU DO is join a towing service. Either Seatow or BoatUS. The cost of a single towing is several times more than a membership. I've only had to use mine once. The tow would have been over $800. Quite a lot less than the $120 spent on a membership. Towing can be dangerous, you don't want to depend on the charity and skill of other amateur boaters doing it.

Secondly, BE CAREFUL, if the seacock is corroded you don't want to have it snap off and then have to deal with a horrendous leak.

Also, make mention of your boat model and year when posting questions about it. There are enough variations between models to make a difference in how many questions are answered.

It's entirely possible for a seacock to jam and then have the handle get stripped. They're metal and eventually they can corrode. Replacing them cannot be done in the water. This is why it's important to operate the valves on a regular basis. Turning them helps avoid corrosion causing them get stuck. That and it brings any problems with them to your attention sooner. Better to know how it's supposed to "feel" when opening and closing. That way if it feels different you'll know before something goes wrong.

As others have suggested, first thoroughly clean the sea strainer (with the seacock off). Then reassemble the sea strainer, but leave it open a little bit. Then open the sea cock and see that water starts filling the strainer. If it doesn't fill then you have either a problem with the hose to it or the sea cock itself.

Replacing a strainer varies based on its design. Some are bolted to the inside of the hull, others are threaded, some are both. None of them should be replaced in-water. Given the importance of a properly installed through-hull I'd be inclined to pay a mechanic to make sure the job's done right.
Author:  tarheels0_0 [ Sun Jun 05, 2011 7:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: problem: it seems the air conditioner valve won't open
Thank you so much Mr Kearney! Sorry I forgot to mention what boat I have.. but it is a 1997 238 Vista. We actually got it working this weekend, as it seemed the seacock was not opening.. we were able to get open, and filled the strainer, and it started pulling water.
Also, yes, I just needed to re-start my BoatUS membership, you are absolutely right!
The other issue with it shutting off, seems to be either, some bad gas, that was left in the engine before I bought it, or needing to replace fuel filter, or fuel pump.. The issue does not happen until after running boat for awhile, then when powering down to idle, is when it cuts off. But problem seems to be getting better, that is why I was thinking bad gas still in tank.
We did replace the distributer cables, as one seemed to be sending a shock, so was thinking that was the problem, but afterwards, it still happened.
Author:  rjrose [ Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: problem: it seems the air conditioner valve won't open
Tarheels:
quote from your response: "I actually replaced the plastic piece right before the motor unit ..."

Are you referring to the mounting plate for the AC pump? Mine needs to be replaced and I'm looking for the part number.

Any help would be appreciated.
Author:  tarheels0_0 [ Wed Jun 08, 2011 5:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: problem: it seems the air conditioner valve won't open
I do believe that is what I replaced. It is the piece that the hoses connect to, and that attaches to the pump.
I will be going to my boat this weekend and can look for a part number if you are still needing it. Hope I can help!
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