I have a Hunter (96) 33' Great, reliable boat but recently have had a problem where the head backs up into the bowl and creates quite a mess- any suggestions? Is there an in line "one way" gasket or valve that is failing?? -Manual hand pump head
Head Backing Up
- Thread starter fjc1022
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No "Joke"
I had the same problem with my 1992 H28. It only happened when the holding tank was very full and was applying back pressure. There is a one-way valve called a "Joker Valve" that is supposed to prevent this from happening. They do not make a 100% seal most of the time. If you have a long run to the holding tank that is partly up hill, it could be draining slowly back into the bowl. I'm sure that Peggie Hall will have some advice for you, my suggestion is to take apart where the sanatary hose connects to the bowl and inspect your Joker Valve.
I had the same problem with my 1992 H28. It only happened when the holding tank was very full and was applying back pressure. There is a one-way valve called a "Joker Valve" that is supposed to prevent this from happening. They do not make a 100% seal most of the time. If you have a long run to the holding tank that is partly up hill, it could be draining slowly back into the bowl. I'm sure that Peggie Hall will have some advice for you, my suggestion is to take apart where the sanatary hose connects to the bowl and inspect your Joker Valve.
My money is on a blocked tank vent
A blocked vent pressurizes the tank, creating backpressure that makes the toilet harder and harder to pump and also to "burp" or backflow into the bowl, 'cuz it has nowhere else to go. So unless you're willing to risk taking a bath in waste, don't remove any hose connections until after you've opened the deck pumpout fitting to relieve any pressure in the tank. Then check for a blockage in the vent through-hull and in the vent fitting on the tank. Scrape out what you find. And in the future, make sure the vent doesn't become blocked again by backflushing it every time you wash the boat and or pumpout. If it's been more than two years since the joker valve was replaced, replace it. If the toilet hasn't been rebuilt in at least 5 years, put a rebuild kit--which includes a joker valve, btw--in it. Joker valves should be replaced every two years, toilets should be rebuilt every 5 years. Steve, I suggest you check your own tank vent...'cuz just overfilling the tank should not cause a backup. The waste should overflow out the vent instead. Both of you might want to check out the link below to learn how to maintain your sanitation system so that you prevent problems..prevention is a lot easier than curing 'em.
A blocked vent pressurizes the tank, creating backpressure that makes the toilet harder and harder to pump and also to "burp" or backflow into the bowl, 'cuz it has nowhere else to go. So unless you're willing to risk taking a bath in waste, don't remove any hose connections until after you've opened the deck pumpout fitting to relieve any pressure in the tank. Then check for a blockage in the vent through-hull and in the vent fitting on the tank. Scrape out what you find. And in the future, make sure the vent doesn't become blocked again by backflushing it every time you wash the boat and or pumpout. If it's been more than two years since the joker valve was replaced, replace it. If the toilet hasn't been rebuilt in at least 5 years, put a rebuild kit--which includes a joker valve, btw--in it. Joker valves should be replaced every two years, toilets should be rebuilt every 5 years. Steve, I suggest you check your own tank vent...'cuz just overfilling the tank should not cause a backup. The waste should overflow out the vent instead. Both of you might want to check out the link below to learn how to maintain your sanitation system so that you prevent problems..prevention is a lot easier than curing 'em.
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