Can't get flow from forward holding tank on Hunter passage 456

[discovery]

Have been having major issues when trying to pump forward holding tank, either thru deck pump out or macerator. I confirmed the vent is clear by pumping water thru it to the tank. But when I hit the macerator it runs for a bit and then grinds to a halt. If I pour water down the deck thru hull the macerator will run and pump that water overboard then die, I can only assume there is a blockage between the macerator and the tank. It's a poly tank with with the pump out hose entering from the top, I assume the fitting which is plastic goes down to the bottom of the tank. Before I start tearing this think apart I thought I would seek some advice from this forum. When I take the macerator out of the t fitting there is no smell, further confining me that somethings is clogged either the white hose leading to the tank, or the pick up, I'm just not certain what the best direction to head! Please someone come back with any ideas. Surely this has happend to somebody before. It's a 2002 hunter passage 456 with plastic poly tanks.

 

[Tata duende]

Can you try hooking up a hose to put a little pressurized backflow from the macerator pump into the tank? Maybe that coupled with some strong detergent or drain cleaner into the tank and let it slosh around for a couple of outings.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I'm not ruling out the vent yet. How did you pump water through it? With what? How can you be sure the water actually made it INTO the tank and didn't just fill up the vent line? 'Cuz there are TWO common locations for a vent blockage--the vent thru-hull and the other end of the vent line--that end of the hose and the vent fitting on the tank....and if you can't empty the tank via the deck pumpout OR the macerator, that's a strong sign of a blockage at one end or both ends of the vent.
If there is a blockage in the discharge line, you're right that it has to be ahead of the macerator pump...but not likely in a discharge line from the top of the tank. More likely, sludge has clogged the bottom of the pickup tube INSIDE the tank. If that's the case, you should be able to clear it by removing the hose from the discharge fitting and blowing it out with a shop vac or other device that can blow OR pull...or maybe just a garden hose nozzle if you have good pressure. And then flush out your tanks--both of 'em if you don't want to go through this again with the other one--something that should be done 3-4 x season..

Btw...warming a hose (WARM, not heat) makes it easer to remove from a fitting and also to put it on a fitting.

 

[Benny17441]

I think it is time to start dismantling. I'm not familiar with your set up and cannot help you with specifics but it does seem you have a blockage. If it recently became clogged it should be easier to clear but if that tank had not been used in a while it may have a hardened plug. Take out the macerator and get a garden hose and a rag and insert into the discharge hose using the rag to help hold water pressure and turn on the water. Something will give, either the blockage will be dislodged back into the tank or you may not be able to hold pressure with the rag. You can try it a few times before resorting to inserting a snake or removing the pickup tube. Make sure the deck pump out cap is tightly on. If the tank is full and the clog is dislodged be prepared for a rush of stuff to come down the discharge hose. good luck.

 

[discovery]

Thanks Peggy, was hoping the true expert would see my post! I have A garden hose with a rubber fitting on it that I was shown by a pump out tech, that goes over the vent on at the hull, I had my wife listen for water going into the tank, also no water was escaping around he seal. I will try feeding water directly into the discharge line first before I try removing the hose from the pickup on the tank.mimalso have a high pressure inflators pump I use for the dingy would air be ok if the water pressure isn't enough? I'm at anchor in Grenada West Indies and my fresh water pump puts out 60 psi supposedly.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I will try feeding water directly into the discharge line first before I try removing the hose from the pickup on the tank.mimalso have a high pressure inflators pump I use for the dingy would air be ok if the water pressure isn't enough?

Air pressure may even be a better idea than water...don't remove any hoses...just stick the "nozzle" as far as you can get it into the discharge line via the deck pumpout fitting, making sure the y-valve is open to the pump out. You want as much pressure against any clog in the pickup tube as you can get. If you can figure out how, try air pressure on the vent line too.

And btw...backflush the other tank vent line while you're thinking about it too...prevention is always easier than cure.

 

[discovery]

Air pressure may even be a better idea than water...don't remove any hoses...just stick the "nozzle" as far as you can get it into the discharge line via the deck pumpout fitting, making sure the y-valve is open to the pump out. You want as much pressure against any clog in the pickup tube as you can get. If you can figure out how, try air pressure on the vent line too.

And btw...backflush the other tank vent line while you're thinking about it too...prevention is always easier than cure.

Thanks peggy, I that ni I have a doozie, I blew air thu the vent, I pushed water thru the vent, I disconnected the vent from the top of the tank and was able to fish a wire to the liquid it and, I tried macerating with the vent hose off at the tank with just the elbow, no,go still grinds to a halt, I switched macerators from my rear unit, same result, so I was able to disconnect the feed hose from the pick up,and removed the pick up, it was clean, I probed the bottom of the tank and did not feel any real sludge to,speak of. Reconnected every thing and tried again and same result macerator runs for 15 seconds the grinds to a halt. Even tried disconnecting the discharge hose and ran a new one into a five gallon jug, still same result. Then I tested the macerator, put it into bucket, kept the new discharge hose on and feed it into the toilet, macerator pumped water from the bucket into the toilet no problem. Kicker is I have hose to run a new feed line from tank to macerator but my boat is a passage 456 and the tank is partially under the Pullman berth and the hoses run under the drawers with no accesses and the t connection that the macerator is installed at pretty much eliminates the possibility of running a new hose. I'm baffled, I've log iced this thru and can't understand why it won't pump, I can push water thru the feed hose to the tank, the pick up is clean, I'm at my whits end.
.

Air pressure may even be a better idea than water...don't remove any hoses...just stick the "nozzle" as far as you can get it into the discharge line via the deck pumpout fitting, making sure the y-valve is open to the pump out. You want as much pressure against any clog in the pickup tube as you can get. If you can figure out how, try air pressure on the vent line too.

And btw...backflush the other tank vent line while you're thinking about it too...prevention is always easier than cure.

gg

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Time we stopped typing and started talking, 'cuz we can do this for a week and not get anywhere. Send me a PM and I'll reply with my phone #.

 

[Benny17441]

Peggie he is in Grenada and phone communications might be costly.

 

[JamesG161]

On the macerator motor's end, there is a screw that is connected to the motor shaft. This is to allow you to turn the shaft while not in operation. It should freely rotate several turns. Not free, the pump as something jamming it.

I had a similar problem. My electrician son-in-law came aboard while I was about to order a new pump. He checked wiring then ask for my rubber mallet. Whacked the motor lightly a few times.

Pump ran perfectly!!

I asked what did that do? He said...

DC motors that are seldom used have this problem!

Jim...

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Not if he has a Skype account, Benny...which is a very cool VoIP phone service that most people who need to communicate internationally have these days. Skype-to-Skype calls are free...only pennies/minute to call or text--even face time--any number in the world, landline or cell. All you need is a wifi connection, so if he can post here, he can make Skype calls. I've had a Skype account for years. Check it out: http://www.skype.com/en/