Groco Head Troubleshooting question.

[bandit818]

I am a new owner of an 87 Pearson 31-2 and am having problems with the Groco HF-B head. We have put on the rebuild kit but the problem continues. I have no idea if the hoses have ever been replaced or when that might have been. They do not seem to be leaking. The head is primarily used for liquid waste.

The head seems to work correctly for 5 or 6 flushes, but after that it seems as though it's recycling the contents of the bowl. We are on a lake so we're using the holding tank. If I put a color agent in the bowl and flush it it appears that it is being recirculated rather than pumped to the holding tank. While this behavior is taking place, the bowl will appear to be emptying but fluid will seep back into the bowl filling it about 2 inches.

Can anyone offer any suggestions or trouble shooting that I can use to resolve this issue.

 

[NYSail]

What happens when you dry flush. Sounds like something was put together incorrectly with the pump

 

[bandit818]

I have the same behavior with dry flush. It seems to work properly for 4 or 5 times, then appears to be backing up or returning waste.

 

[cromer]

I believe I just had this problem on my Pearson with a Groco head. The vent hose was clogged. So after pumping a few times the holding tank became pressurized causing what was left in the tube to ooze past the joker valve.

 

[bandit818]

I tried opening up the holding tank to relieve any pressure, but I will check the vent house. I just need to find it.

 

[gundaddy]

Your vent hose should come directly off your holding tank, so if you opened the inspection port of the tank and still had the problem, the vent is probably not the culprit. Access to the tank to view the connections is pretty easy. Only a dozen or so screws that hold down the plywood cover in the V-berth, and you can see how the inlet, outlet, and vent are connected. While you're in it would be a good time to check your connections and look for any leaks or saturated hose.

Also, Groco gives excellent technical advice via the phone.

Good luck!