The head

[speandme]

I took my boat out and a friend of mine used the head (#2) and from that point on it hasn't worked when I push the lever to flush the bowl will fill up but it does not go down to the holding tank. Any thoughts out there as to where to start looking for the problem.

 

[Bondo]

Re: The head

I took my boat out and a friend of mine used the head (#2) and from that point on it hasn't worked when I push the lever to flush the bowl will fill up but it does not go down to the holding tank. Any thoughts out there as to where to start looking for the problem.

Ayuh,.... In the drain line of course,....

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: The head

Is the tank full?

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: The head

Invite the friend back over with offers of beer and lunch and hand him tools instead.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: The head

Never put anything in the head that hasent been eaten first!

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: The head

Does your system have a macerator ? What about any Backflow preventers ?

First thing I would check is the Vent for the holding tank. Sometimes a good quick shot of compressed air from the vent tube from/at your holding tank will fix this problem ( bugs or spiders get clogged in there from the outside ). Dont blow too much pressure or you can blow your tube out.

YD.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: The head

my bet is that this friend put a paper towel or something of the sort in the head... time to start taking things apart in the downstream end.... it's a chitty job aye

 

[MarkSee]

Re: The head

hasn't worked when I push the lever to flush the bowl will fill up but it does not go down to the holding tank. Any thoughts out there as to where to start looking for the problem.

That happened on my Sea Ray so what I did was:
-put on a couple pairs of disposable gloves
-put on eye protection
-turn off water supply
-push the lever and hold open
-use something narrow but stiff like a coat hanger to slowly start probing and poking
-allow a little water in, flush see what was attempted with the coat hanger helped
-may even need to reach down and feel around
-repeat as necessary

That cleared up my issue and I was amazed at what stuff I found.

Mark

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: The head

Does your system have a macerator ? What about any Backflow preventers ?

First thing I would check is the Vent for the holding tank. Sometimes a good quick shot of compressed air from the vent tube from/at your holding tank will fix this problem ( bugs or spiders get clogged in there from the outside ). Dont blow too much pressure or you can blow your tube out.

YD.

Just wondering ..

 

[speandme]

Re: The head

Let me begin by saying sorry for the delay in response to all the great comments particularly MH Harker. It is a Sealand vacuflush system so no it does not have a macerator. The tank is empty I was thinking that at first too so I checked it. I took the hose off connecting the back of the head to the pump and cleaned it all out didn't seem to be all that bad (i realize thats relitive when talking about this job) connected it back checked fuse and made sure I had power to the unit. Everything seems to be working except the most important part the vacuum. I will check the vent tonight but would that cause this type of problem?

 

[MolsonCanadian]

Re: The head

Check your duck bill valves.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: The head

This is a crappy thread.

 

[hottoddie]

Re: The head

When working on waste plumbing (just did it today) several things are needed. 1. Rubber gloves. 2. Roll of paper towels and pail to dispose of same. 3. Spray bottle of Tilex or similar. 4. Vics Vapo Rub to put on your upper lip to kill the smell. It actually works pretty good. 5. Empty stomach. In absense of all the above a check book to pay the man.

 

[tinkerguy70]

Re: The head

This is a crappy thread.

Yeah, and it stinks too!

 

[Thalasso]

Re: The head

Let me begin by saying sorry for the delay in response to all the great comments particularly MH Harker. It is a Sealand vacuflush system so no it does not have a macerator. The tank is empty I was thinking that at first too so I checked it. I took the hose off connecting the back of the head to the pump and cleaned it all out didn't seem to be all that bad (i realize thats relitive when talking about this job) connected it back checked fuse and made sure I had power to the unit. Everything seems to be working except the most important part the vacuum. I will check the vent tonight but would that cause this type of problem?

What grinds the waste if you don't have a macerator?

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: The head

NEVER , NEVER , NEVER , EVER PUT PAPER IN YOUR HEAD !
say it out loud to your passangers.... Post a sign in the head---- and provide a waste receptical for used paper....I just used a kitchen garbage bag with a draw string.

I was on a 28ft fishing charter in Alaska that had a sea sick passanger who did # 2 and clogged the head with TP. The female deck hand put on rubber gloves and cleared it by hand. I tipped her $200. and it was not my mess.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: The head

What grinds the waste if you don't have a macerator?

Vacu flush without a Macerator ... How is your system plumbed ?

YD.

 

[IraRat]

Re: The head

You people are like babies, calling it #2.

The correct term is "doody."

 

[littlerayray]

Re: The head

its not doody it is a dookie

 

[speandme]

Re: The head

Got it cleaned out and it was a nasty job thanks for the replies.