I have a new Hunter 33. When I finish pumping the head( usually leave an inch or two of water in bowl) I get several bubbles backup into hte bowl which always smell fowl. If these bubles did not occur there would be no smell present in the bathroom. Is there anything I can do to stop these backup burps?
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Several possible causes...
All downstream of the toilet: Check your tank vent for a blockage first. A blocked vent pressurizes the tank, which creates backpressure that has to get out somewhere...and the toilet is the least line of resistance. Don't use the toilet again or attempt to pump out the tank till you've either cleared the vent or eliminated it as the cause...'cuz a blocked vent/pressurized tank can cause several disasters a lot worse than just ripe "burps"--even a cracked tank. Most vent blockages occur in the thru-hull and/or in the fitting on the tank...usually due to waste that spills into the vent while heeled and building up. But insects and just dust and pollen can easily clog up a vent thru-hull that has only a tiny slit in it. If anything has gone down the toilet except waste and/or quick-dissolve TP, there could be a partial clog in the head discharge line somewhere...but if you are only getting "burps," and not having any real trouble flushing, I doubt it. Since it's a new boat, I'd also make sure that the vent line or the head discharge hose doesn't have a kink in it. Installers (builders are even more guilty of this than yards) rarely bother to swap out a straight toilet discharge fitting for a 90 or insert an inline fitting to go around a tight bend...they just force the hose. The attached photo illustrates the result. You shouldn't be able to leave an inch or two of water in the bowl, either...marine toilets aren't designed to hold water. The pumping action brings in flush water (or not, if you're in the dry mode) and pumps out the bowl more or less simultaneously. You might want to check out the link below to learn how toilets work, and how to operate and maintain holding tanks and toilets.
All downstream of the toilet: Check your tank vent for a blockage first. A blocked vent pressurizes the tank, which creates backpressure that has to get out somewhere...and the toilet is the least line of resistance. Don't use the toilet again or attempt to pump out the tank till you've either cleared the vent or eliminated it as the cause...'cuz a blocked vent/pressurized tank can cause several disasters a lot worse than just ripe "burps"--even a cracked tank. Most vent blockages occur in the thru-hull and/or in the fitting on the tank...usually due to waste that spills into the vent while heeled and building up. But insects and just dust and pollen can easily clog up a vent thru-hull that has only a tiny slit in it. If anything has gone down the toilet except waste and/or quick-dissolve TP, there could be a partial clog in the head discharge line somewhere...but if you are only getting "burps," and not having any real trouble flushing, I doubt it. Since it's a new boat, I'd also make sure that the vent line or the head discharge hose doesn't have a kink in it. Installers (builders are even more guilty of this than yards) rarely bother to swap out a straight toilet discharge fitting for a 90 or insert an inline fitting to go around a tight bend...they just force the hose. The attached photo illustrates the result. You shouldn't be able to leave an inch or two of water in the bowl, either...marine toilets aren't designed to hold water. The pumping action brings in flush water (or not, if you're in the dry mode) and pumps out the bowl more or less simultaneously. You might want to check out the link below to learn how toilets work, and how to operate and maintain holding tanks and toilets.
Hey Pat,
I was going to say some of that stuff, honest.
But I figured Peggie was on duty. Besides, I learned it from her anyway.
I was going to say some of that stuff, honest.
But I figured Peggie was on duty. Besides, I learned it from her anyway.Same problem
We have a new Hunter 36 and are having the same problem. Even in dry mode about an inch of water comes back into the bowl. We can't get rid of it. We notified our dealer of the problem but I don't think they see it as a problem, if you get my drift. We'll check the things Peggy said but I thought you might want to know you aren't alone.
We have a new Hunter 36 and are having the same problem. Even in dry mode about an inch of water comes back into the bowl. We can't get rid of it. We notified our dealer of the problem but I don't think they see it as a problem, if you get my drift. We'll check the things Peggy said but I thought you might want to know you aren't alone.
Let's make sure you both have the same issue
Dirty water + a foul smelling (although not necessarily) "burp" is backflow from the discharge line. But if the water is clean, with little or no odor except maybe a slightly stagnant smell from sitting in a hot boat for several days, that's flush water from the head intake...a whole 'nother issue that requires a totally different solution.
Dirty water + a foul smelling (although not necessarily) "burp" is backflow from the discharge line. But if the water is clean, with little or no odor except maybe a slightly stagnant smell from sitting in a hot boat for several days, that's flush water from the head intake...a whole 'nother issue that requires a totally different solution.
FOWL smell
If your bowl smells fowl, check for chickens in the holding tank. Sorry could not resist.
If your bowl smells fowl, check for chickens in the holding tank. Sorry could not resist.
Tank Vent
Pat, earlier this season I replaced the holding tank on my H34. In doing so I eliminated the Y-valve and overboard discharge. While finally removing the hoses that lead to and from the vented loop hidden behind the outer cabinetry next to the shower valve, I discovered that the factory created a loop in the vent hose by doubling it over and holding the hose parallel with a tie wrap. I was wondering why I was smelling "head smell" with all new hardware as the tank filled up over the past two weekends! I now need to determine if the vent line is blocked by that loop or by another cause. "For every project done, two more are created!"--Johnson's Axiom Intrepid H34 #113
Pat, earlier this season I replaced the holding tank on my H34. In doing so I eliminated the Y-valve and overboard discharge. While finally removing the hoses that lead to and from the vented loop hidden behind the outer cabinetry next to the shower valve, I discovered that the factory created a loop in the vent hose by doubling it over and holding the hose parallel with a tie wrap. I was wondering why I was smelling "head smell" with all new hardware as the tank filled up over the past two weekends! I now need to determine if the vent line is blocked by that loop or by another cause. "For every project done, two more are created!"--Johnson's Axiom Intrepid H34 #113
That's one of the dumber things I've heard of!
That "loop"--which is most likely a kink, 'cuz doubling a hose that small would have to kink when bent 180--in your vent line is definitely the reason for your odor. Waste tank vent lines should be as straight as an arrow. If you spill tank contents into the vent while heeled, waste may also have started to block the line altogether. Straighten it out--first clean it out...use Odorlos in the tank...and I think your odor will disappear. You might want to check out the link below too. Johnson's axiom would apply to fewer projects if more people would ask more questions BEFORE they start 'em instead of waiting till AFTER they've done something to ask if that's the way it should have been done.
That "loop"--which is most likely a kink, 'cuz doubling a hose that small would have to kink when bent 180--in your vent line is definitely the reason for your odor. Waste tank vent lines should be as straight as an arrow. If you spill tank contents into the vent while heeled, waste may also have started to block the line altogether. Straighten it out--first clean it out...use Odorlos in the tank...and I think your odor will disappear. You might want to check out the link below too. Johnson's axiom would apply to fewer projects if more people would ask more questions BEFORE they start 'em instead of waiting till AFTER they've done something to ask if that's the way it should have been done.
So NOW you tell us, huh Peggie
Just kidding, but that's how they made them then. In all fairness to Hunter, all vent hoses on my boat also were covered with a ribbed hose and then tie-wrapped. (fuel, water, waste, all of 'em) The ribbed hose resisted kinking and provided the same benefit to the hose inside of it. Over the years all but one of mine on my H34 has been eliminated or modified but they seemed to have worked OK.
Just kidding, but that's how they made them then. In all fairness to Hunter, all vent hoses on my boat also were covered with a ribbed hose and then tie-wrapped. (fuel, water, waste, all of 'em) The ribbed hose resisted kinking and provided the same benefit to the hose inside of it. Over the years all but one of mine on my H34 has been eliminated or modified but they seemed to have worked OK.
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