Live wells...not getting any water

[Badgers]

Today for some reason, I couldn't get any water to flow into my livewells. I have a 1995 Cajun. I could hear the pump running. The normal procedures is to turn the live well switch on and water flows into the livewells. I have two levers under my ignition. I think that they are supposed to be pulled out to allow the water to flow into the tanks. Is that correct? Anyhow, I tried them both ways(in and out). I could hear the pump running, but no water was flowing. And I did twist the 'faucet' valve in the livewells and I even took them out. But, still not a drop of water. The tanks did fill about 1/2 way on water that was not from the faucets(I don't know where it came from), but that water ran out immediately when I started moving in the boat. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks,

[CajunBass]

The water that got in may have backfilled from the drains. It sounds lilke you have something in the impeller of your pump. You should be able to just twist the top off to check. Another option would be to stick a hose up to the discharge end and backflush the pump.

It's also possible, that your pumps airlocked. Sometimes backing up while the pump is running will force the airpocket out.

[Badgers]

Do you have any idea what the pump looks like and where it is located. The only thing that I can see is looks like the yellow bilge pump. Also, is the exit hole from this pump the one that is covered with the plastic grate? There are several exit holes, but only one is covered by a grate. Thanks,

[DJ from MN]

Don't know the exact configuration of your particular boat most boats are similar. The screened port is the water intake. Your bilge and aerator are going to be very similar pumps and may even be the same type of pump. They should both be located in the back of the boat in the bilge area. If you can't determine which is which, trace a aerator hose back towards the pump.

[CajunBass]

The pumps on the Cajun's I had were under a plate in the stern. It was a piece of plywood if I remember correctly, and you had to unscrew that to get to the pumps. Must have been good plywood. I never had any trouble with mine.

[Kevin R.]

Mine were doing the same thing with the old pumps. i would have to loosen one of the hoses to let the air escape then it would be fine. I replaced my pumps with larger ones when I redid my transom and have not had a problem since.

[Badgers]

O.K. I took my boat in because it wasn't starting(a pinion was stuck in the starter) and the mechanic also checked and fixed the livewells. When I picked up the boat the girl at the counter said that the 'valves' leading to/from the livewell were stuck. The mechanic wasn't there, but I'll see if it is all ok tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and help.