head - don't read if frustrated with newbies!

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dlewis812

dlewis812

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May 21, 2006
321
catalina 25, 30 montauk / manhattan
new to boats.. have bought an 85 catalina 25. everything is working out and have successfully sailed a couple of times. only problem is with the head/holding tank. can someone please explain clearly/simply how to work all of this; have flushed and initially cleared the bowl but now it's backing up. just wanted to be clear on the mechanics and if there is anything can do at my dock before taking to a discharge facility. thanks
 
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rsn48

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Jun 7, 2005
257
- - Sewell Marina - West Vancouver
Move your thread

Do a copy and paste and put this thread in the "Head Mistress" forum, further down the forum index page. Peggy is our resident "head" mistress and will be gentle with you.
 
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Alchemist

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Mar 31, 2004
244
Catalina 380 T Holland
Quick Answer

Your joker valve (just on the exit of the pump) is bad and / or your vent line is plugged. Buy a re-build kit from WM (or your local chandelry), rebuild the entire pump (you probably need to do this any way). If the vent line is plugged, you will have back pressure when you try to pump out the head. Backflush the vent line with water (hard to do, the vent is through a small hole in one of the stanchions). Then do what the previous poster suggested and ask Peggie. She seems to know all (or if not all, most) about heads and answers the same questions over and over (there's nothing new about heads, just new people with questions about heads). Steve Alchemist C-320
 
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Rodger

Remove the head

Pull the head out to work on it. It is only 4 bolts and you can clean it with bleach and take your time rebuilding it. It's not hard to do. Rodger
 
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Stephen K.

rebuild vs. replace.

The other responses are right on; however if its the original head, a replacement is certainly a valid option. I believe arebuild kit is $60 to $75, but for around $140 you can get a new one and its simple to replace. Close the thru hull, remove the hoses from the head, unscrew the 4 bolts, remove the head then reverse the process to install and you are in business. If the hoses are dark then replace those while you are at it...good luck.
 
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