Bowl filling from tank

[Gary Scheier]

We have a 1991 Hunter 28 with a Jabsco #29090-0000 MSD. It probably needs rebuilding since 1)I think it is the orginal, and 2) the holding tank is leaking back into the bowl, and 3) we are getting "spray" out the top of the pump onto the engine compartment. BTW, the tank is in the hull bottom under the swim ladder (lower than the head), so I am a little suspicious of the outside vent being plugged.In a previous article, you recommended the Raritan Cricket head. Would this be advisable, or just rebuild the old head? How old is too old? West Marine sells the rebuild kits for about $45. Also, it appears that the Cricket is only a little higher than the existing head, but the other dimensions are similar.GaryS/V Serenisea

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

You may need a new toilet, but...

It's not causing the problems you describe. If the toilet were spraying water, it would spray it in the head--'cuz that's where the toilet is, not in the engine room. Unless your holding tank is full to overflowing, there's no way it can be leaking back into the bowl unless your waste has created a new life form that can jump...'cuz the inlet fitting on the tank from the toilet is at the top of the tank. If you're feeling backpressure when you flush, that's a very good sign that the vent is plugged. That would prevent waste in the hose from the toilet to the tank from getting there, and the backpressure could force it back into the bowl. I recommend you a) check the tank vent, starting at the thru-hull, and b) find the hose connection that's leaking in your engine compartment...'cuz a new toilet won't solve either problem.

 

[Bruce Grant]

Your joker valve is shot, put a rebuild kit in

On my old H28, I had the same problem (it was a '91 also)with the bowl filling from the holding tank.Pump the tank and put the rebuild kit into the pump, watch the piston, if the clip at the bottom is one of those circle clips, you can get a replacement from Jabsco (there was a notice in the rebuild kit that I bought), apparently that clip will corrode and you won't be able to pump anything.The spray out of the top could be one of two things, there is an o ring that the plunger passes through and this could be worn, or there is a gasket around the middle of the pump, the housing might not be tight enough.Either way, the majority of your problems will be solved with the rebuild kit and it took about 1 to 2 hours to do the rebuild (if I had to do it again, it would take about 15 minutes).Good luck.BruceNeon Moon