I think my Y-Valve is the source of my smelly head based on my nose test... I have tried all of the suggestions for cleaning, disinfecting, etc. to no avail. Prior owner probably used sea water to fill the bowl. We always use fresh water now but I think it's too late for this valve. I plan to change out the Y-Valve and also the hoses. The hoses seem to be welded to the Y-Valve and the tanks, etc. Since I have never done a job like this, I would love to hear any suggestions for how to remove the hoses without damaging anything else. Any other helpful hints? Thanks. Kathy B331 - August Winds II
Changing a Y-Valve?
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It's a messy job but can be done
I just completed a complete "head job" , including replacement of a holding tank (the old one was aluminum) and new hoses. It looked lkike my hoses were "welded" on, but they are actually just stuck on from years of use. I got them "unstuck" by using a heat gun, or in worse situations i just "pre-cut" them (using a fine saw blade)along the lenght of the attachement on the y-valve or elbows and the just come apart witht the twisting motion. Make sure you have a plastic bag underneath your valve since there may be some nasty liquid left over inside the valve. Good luck, it is a sh...y job, but can and needs to be done.
I just completed a complete "head job" , including replacement of a holding tank (the old one was aluminum) and new hoses. It looked lkike my hoses were "welded" on, but they are actually just stuck on from years of use. I got them "unstuck" by using a heat gun, or in worse situations i just "pre-cut" them (using a fine saw blade)along the lenght of the attachement on the y-valve or elbows and the just come apart witht the twisting motion. Make sure you have a plastic bag underneath your valve since there may be some nasty liquid left over inside the valve. Good luck, it is a sh...y job, but can and needs to be done.
Before you do anything...
Run a LOT of clean fresh water through your toilet and hoses...cleaning them out makes the job a lot less objectionable. Andre's suggestion to heat the hoses to remove 'em is a good one. What make is your y-valve? How old is it? And what makes you think it's the source of your odor...what specifically have you done to narrow it down to the y-valve? What have you used to clean/disinfect the system? Most don't accomplish anything. You now use fresh water instead of sea water to flush...how are you doing that? You might want to check out the link below before tearing everything apart...it could save you a lot of unnecessary work.
Run a LOT of clean fresh water through your toilet and hoses...cleaning them out makes the job a lot less objectionable. Andre's suggestion to heat the hoses to remove 'em is a good one. What make is your y-valve? How old is it? And what makes you think it's the source of your odor...what specifically have you done to narrow it down to the y-valve? What have you used to clean/disinfect the system? Most don't accomplish anything. You now use fresh water instead of sea water to flush...how are you doing that? You might want to check out the link below before tearing everything apart...it could save you a lot of unnecessary work.
Rereading the Book..
Thanks Peggy... I followed your book last season and did the vinegar flush. It was better for awhile but it did not work completely. I have also checked the hoses for permeation as you recommend - it doesn't seem to be them. I figured that it was the Y valve because that is where the strongest smell is when I stick my head under the sink. The boat is a 2001 and the Y valve is original. We are using fresh water by filling the bowl with water from the holding tank and flushing with that as well. That water is filtered at the outlet before it goes into the holding tank. After re-reading the section on intake odor, I am going to try the vinegar flush once more before I start tearing things apart.
Thanks Peggy... I followed your book last season and did the vinegar flush. It was better for awhile but it did not work completely. I have also checked the hoses for permeation as you recommend - it doesn't seem to be them. I figured that it was the Y valve because that is where the strongest smell is when I stick my head under the sink. The boat is a 2001 and the Y valve is original. We are using fresh water by filling the bowl with water from the holding tank and flushing with that as well. That water is filtered at the outlet before it goes into the holding tank. After re-reading the section on intake odor, I am going to try the vinegar flush once more before I start tearing things apart.
I DO hope you mean...
"We are using fresh water by filling the bowl with water from the holding tank and flushing with that as well." I'm sure you mean the WATER holding tank. Unless your toilet is one that's designed to use pressurized flush water, You have NOT connected your toilet intake to the fresh water plumbing...you're just pouring water from the sink into the bowl...right? Based on what you've just told me, I'm inclined to agree that your y-valve IS the culprit. Since it's original, I suspect it's a Jabsco...I've yet to see one that doesn't leak. When you replace it, go with a Whale. If your hoses passed the permeation test, I wouldn't replace them...just the y-valve. But just to be sure it really IS the y-valve, wrap a clean rag around it, then wrap the whole thing in plastic to keep out any odors from any other source. Leave it there for at least a couple of days...better yet, while you're aboard and sending flushes through it. If the rag stinks when you remove it, yup...it's the y-valve. If it doesn't, we'll have to go back to the drawing board.
"We are using fresh water by filling the bowl with water from the holding tank and flushing with that as well." I'm sure you mean the WATER holding tank. Unless your toilet is one that's designed to use pressurized flush water, You have NOT connected your toilet intake to the fresh water plumbing...you're just pouring water from the sink into the bowl...right? Based on what you've just told me, I'm inclined to agree that your y-valve IS the culprit. Since it's original, I suspect it's a Jabsco...I've yet to see one that doesn't leak. When you replace it, go with a Whale. If your hoses passed the permeation test, I wouldn't replace them...just the y-valve. But just to be sure it really IS the y-valve, wrap a clean rag around it, then wrap the whole thing in plastic to keep out any odors from any other source. Leave it there for at least a couple of days...better yet, while you're aboard and sending flushes through it. If the rag stinks when you remove it, yup...it's the y-valve. If it doesn't, we'll have to go back to the drawing board.
Kathy
I just did what You should be able to do. I T-ed in the sink drain and Head intake into one thru-hull. Now I can flush all I want with raw water and then the final flush with freshwater. If your head is like mine, the line between the pump and head has a vent in it and as the gas builds in the hose, the vent lets it out and the smell builds in the boat during the week when I'm not there and of course that first flush of the weekend is killer. I can't wait to get to the boat this weekend to see the difference it makes to have freshwater in the system while it sits for a week.
I just did what You should be able to do. I T-ed in the sink drain and Head intake into one thru-hull. Now I can flush all I want with raw water and then the final flush with freshwater. If your head is like mine, the line between the pump and head has a vent in it and as the gas builds in the hose, the vent lets it out and the smell builds in the boat during the week when I'm not there and of course that first flush of the weekend is killer. I can't wait to get to the boat this weekend to see the difference it makes to have freshwater in the system while it sits for a week.
Franklin...
"If your head is like mine, the line between the pump and head has a vent in it..." I assume you're referring to the vented loop. And it shouldn't let anything out...only allow air INTO the line to break a siphon. Apparently, yours is missing the air valve. If you take a close look at the nipple on the top of the loop, you'll see it's threaded inside...that's where the air valve goes. Some people just run a vent line off the nipple...but that's not a good idea. 'Cuz it's a VERY small line--only 1/4"...and as salt water (or waste in a discharge line) keeps being squirted out the hole, salt or waste clogs up the vent very quickly...turning the vented loop into an unvented loop--no different from just an arch in the hose--that no longer has any ability to break a siphon.
"If your head is like mine, the line between the pump and head has a vent in it..." I assume you're referring to the vented loop. And it shouldn't let anything out...only allow air INTO the line to break a siphon. Apparently, yours is missing the air valve. If you take a close look at the nipple on the top of the loop, you'll see it's threaded inside...that's where the air valve goes. Some people just run a vent line off the nipple...but that's not a good idea. 'Cuz it's a VERY small line--only 1/4"...and as salt water (or waste in a discharge line) keeps being squirted out the hole, salt or waste clogs up the vent very quickly...turning the vented loop into an unvented loop--no different from just an arch in the hose--that no longer has any ability to break a siphon.
The problem
is that I can't get to the went. It's way up behind an area that I can't get to and it's strapped down too so I can't pull it down. For me to get to it I'd have to do some cutting and I'm not ready for that yet.
is that I can't get to the went. It's way up behind an area that I can't get to and it's strapped down too so I can't pull it down. For me to get to it I'd have to do some cutting and I'm not ready for that yet.
I use the shower head...
to flush the head. It's really very convenient and we don't use the water in the holding tank for drinking so we're not worried about rationing it. I will try the y-valve test with the rag this weekend. I think I might have to replace the hoses if I replace the y-valve because I might have to cut them if the heat gun won't budge them. Will let everyone know how it goes....
to flush the head. It's really very convenient and we don't use the water in the holding tank for drinking so we're not worried about rationing it. I will try the y-valve test with the rag this weekend. I think I might have to replace the hoses if I replace the y-valve because I might have to cut them if the heat gun won't budge them. Will let everyone know how it goes....
Unless you're skilled with a heat gun...
Use a blow dryer instead...you only want to warm the hose, 'cuz over-heating a hose, which is easy to do with a heat gun, will damage it. Whichever you use, BE PATIENT! It takes a few minutes to soften a hose enough to get it off without damaging it first. Also warm the hose to put it on a fitting...use a little dishwashing liquid as a lubricant.
Use a blow dryer instead...you only want to warm the hose, 'cuz over-heating a hose, which is easy to do with a heat gun, will damage it. Whichever you use, BE PATIENT! It takes a few minutes to soften a hose enough to get it off without damaging it first. Also warm the hose to put it on a fitting...use a little dishwashing liquid as a lubricant.
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