Hi Peggie; I seem to always have about 4 to 5 inches of water in the head. It doesn't seem to matter if the selector is in the fill or dry position. A few minutes after flushing, I hear a bubble sound, and the bowl gets water. The head is a fairly new Jabsco(manual), and the holding tank was recently pumped out. The water is clear, so I doubt it is back-filling. Where do I start looking for the problem? Thank you.
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Me too
Peggie will tell us we didn't pump frequently enough to get the discharge over the hump, but I disagree. And I just replaced all the gaskets, so that's not the problem.
Peggie will tell us we didn't pump frequently enough to get the discharge over the hump, but I disagree. And I just replaced all the gaskets, so that's not the problem.
Valve
It's the "joker valve". Once in a while a small particulate will prevent the thing from closing all the way and you'll end up with a little back fill. I've had this same issue more than my share of times. The valve is located just before the connection point to the outward bound hose and secured by two very large screws. Remove them, remove the valve, clean the valve, replace the valve, replace the screws and enjoy flushing bliss.
It's the "joker valve". Once in a while a small particulate will prevent the thing from closing all the way and you'll end up with a little back fill. I've had this same issue more than my share of times. The valve is located just before the connection point to the outward bound hose and secured by two very large screws. Remove them, remove the valve, clean the valve, replace the valve, replace the screws and enjoy flushing bliss.
If it's clean water, it's unlikely to be a backup
Which would rule out the joker valve. (Why do so many boat owners think that replacing the joker valve will cure every possible toilet problem???) The two most likely possibilities: the first is a two-fold problem--a failed wet/dry valve that isn't closing completely in the dry position and a bowl that's partly below the waterline with no vented loop in the intake. Iow, water outside the boat is seeking--and finding--its own level inside the boat because there's nothing to prevent it from doing so. If it's not incoming flush water, it has to be a backup...it's clean because you actually are flushing enough to rinse out the hose...backpressure is causing it (and replacing or cleaning the joker valve wouldn't cure that either...SOMETHING has be pushing back to send water back into the bowl). The most likely causes of backpressure are: 1. a tank vent that's at least partially blocked 2. sea water mineral buildup has reduced the diameter of the head discharge line 3. A partial clog in the head discharge line. Easy way to find out whether it's coming from the intake or is a backup: close the intake seacock, pour some water into the bowl and flush. If it does the same thing, your problem is downstream of the toilet, not the intake. Next thing to check is your tank vent--and also make sure your tank really is empty...if the vent is blocked, it won't be, 'cuz the pumpout can't pull out any more after it pulls a vacuum against a blocked vent. Let me know what you find...I'll tell you what you need to do to fix it.
Which would rule out the joker valve. (Why do so many boat owners think that replacing the joker valve will cure every possible toilet problem???) The two most likely possibilities: the first is a two-fold problem--a failed wet/dry valve that isn't closing completely in the dry position and a bowl that's partly below the waterline with no vented loop in the intake. Iow, water outside the boat is seeking--and finding--its own level inside the boat because there's nothing to prevent it from doing so. If it's not incoming flush water, it has to be a backup...it's clean because you actually are flushing enough to rinse out the hose...backpressure is causing it (and replacing or cleaning the joker valve wouldn't cure that either...SOMETHING has be pushing back to send water back into the bowl). The most likely causes of backpressure are: 1. a tank vent that's at least partially blocked 2. sea water mineral buildup has reduced the diameter of the head discharge line 3. A partial clog in the head discharge line. Easy way to find out whether it's coming from the intake or is a backup: close the intake seacock, pour some water into the bowl and flush. If it does the same thing, your problem is downstream of the toilet, not the intake. Next thing to check is your tank vent--and also make sure your tank really is empty...if the vent is blocked, it won't be, 'cuz the pumpout can't pull out any more after it pulls a vacuum against a blocked vent. Let me know what you find...I'll tell you what you need to do to fix it.
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