07 xstar ballast....

ive been havin a bit of trouble with the ballast on my xstar some times they dont empty or dont fill (according to the gauges any way)but then if i leave them a try them later they work

is there any thing i have to do when filling? like have to be still or have to be driving??

The MC ballast pumps are known to be finicky. One thing that I and many others have found to work well is to change the ballast pump impellers to the new yellow ones.

Here are a couple of other tips. Don't run all three pumps at the same time. I run the front and then the two back. Also, after running the pump, reverse it for a second. That gets the impeller vanes going the other direction.

Since I've gotten the yellow impellers and followed the above protocol, I haven't had any problems.

Dan, I'm having a hard time understanding. The black impellers do not like to be left on when the tanks are empty. The vanes break and your impeller will be toast. Have your ever left the pumps on while emptying?

When you press fill or empty can you hear the pump(s) working or not? If they are working, you might need to have the gages adjusted or you need new impellers. If they aren't working, have the dealer switch to the yellow impellers and test all of the pumps.

I was having (what I gather as) the same problem you are having with my port pump. It wouldn't work, but if I banged on the panel in front of the pump it would kick on. Turns out the pump was bad and was replaced under warranty....

could anyone redirect me to see a factory ballast diagram and or explanation of how it is built?

The black neoprene/rubber impellers tend to swell and bind inside the ballast pump. The new silicone rubber is self lubricating and allows the vanes to switch directions much easier...plus they are supposed to be resistant to swelling. Just spend the cash and switch them out. Should fix your problems

Also, the "Waterproof" electrical plugs can be a pain as well. I have removed one already and had no problems out of that pump.

(Message edited by Byrd on November 14, 2006)

07 has a auto shut off they wont let the impellors run dry. If its not primed and you try and fill the pump will shut off do to lack of water. Do what eaglejackson said, usually they fill fine after a few times of filling and emptying.

Dan. The great thing about a 07' x-star is that its a 07'. Take that thing back to the dealer and tell them you'll be back in two days when its perfect. For what that boat cost you they should put you up in the ritz-carlton until its done.