I own older Tartan and when I purchased it the previous owner said the head worked but had a few problems. We never really used it much until this year when we went on a 2 week cruising vacation. The head seemed ok until a few days into the cruise. At that time I noticed that we would use the head and pump it dry. Afew minutes later there would be liquid back in the bowl. This didn't happen every time we used it but most of the time. Sometimes the liquid looke like plain water, sometimes like urine, and sometimes like waste from the tank. We tried Closing ALL the valves after using the head and leaving the head on "dry" and even theh there would be liguid in the bowl after a few minutes sometimes. I admitt I don't know much about what a broper installation should look like but seems to me this shouldn't be happening. As best as I can tell the sea water comes in the through hull and seacock and goes right to the head. The current head is a manual "Headmate". Looks to me like the waste line goes from the base if the toilet to a "Y" valve then either to the tank or directly out through the waste seacock. The tank is a 6 gallon tank mounted under the V birth on the port side in the bow. I see an atmospheric vent very high on the bow which I assume comes from the waste tank but it could be from the fuel tank that is located further astern on the port side. I am considering just ripping everything out and starting again but I haven been able to find a book that diagrams a complete and properly installed system. I have several questions: 1. The Tank Can the waste tank be mounted higher than the the bowl. If so is there a check valve in the tank or is there a special valve or devise that needs to be installed into the waste line to prevent flow from the tank back to the bowl??? 2. Should the waste line have a vented loop installed in it 3. Should the supply Line have a vented loop??? 4. Is there a book or article somewhere that diagrams or explains a well installed system Thanks in advance for all assistance Mal Leichter
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I can't argue with Rick's advice 
But I suspect your immediate problem is caused by either a blocked tank vent or sea water mineral buildup in the head discharge hose that's just about completely clogged it.
But I suspect your immediate problem is caused by either a blocked tank vent or sea water mineral buildup in the head discharge hose that's just about completely clogged it.
Joker valve?
He has the same problem as me. Although I installed a new Headmate this year, I suspect that the joker valve has an obstruction or something that keeps it part way open. What do you think, Peggy? I would rather work on the vent line than dig out the joker valve. S/V "Catmandu 1982 Catalina 27, TR, A-4, traditional.
He has the same problem as me. Although I installed a new Headmate this year, I suspect that the joker valve has an obstruction or something that keeps it part way open. What do you think, Peggy? I would rather work on the vent line than dig out the joker valve. S/V "Catmandu 1982 Catalina 27, TR, A-4, traditional.
Anything caught in the joker valve
that's been there for any length of time will have distorted it permanently. But a joker valve isn't supposed to prevent seepage, only a flood. There could be several causes for your runback...incomplete flushing that leaves waste in the line, especially if it's uphill to the tank or even part way...a blocked vent that's pressurized the tank...heeling may be sending waste back into the discharge line to run back toward the toilet. Or, it may be be runback...it could be flush water from the tank...or both. A new joker valve won't cure any of 'em.
that's been there for any length of time will have distorted it permanently. But a joker valve isn't supposed to prevent seepage, only a flood. There could be several causes for your runback...incomplete flushing that leaves waste in the line, especially if it's uphill to the tank or even part way...a blocked vent that's pressurized the tank...heeling may be sending waste back into the discharge line to run back toward the toilet. Or, it may be be runback...it could be flush water from the tank...or both. A new joker valve won't cure any of 'em.
Mal, to answer your questions...
1. Yes, the tank can be higher than the bowl. There's no check valve--nor should there be--at the tank, although a high loop in the head discharge line MAY be a good idea. 2,3 If the head only flushes into the tank--no y-valve to allow flushing directly overboard at sea--there's no need for a vented loop in the head discharge line. But one is required in any line--including the head intake (but not between the thru-hull and the toilet, between the pump and the bowl)--that connects to a below-waterline thru-hull. For detailed "marine sanitation system 101/for dummies" installation, operation and maintenance instructions, see the link below.
1. Yes, the tank can be higher than the bowl. There's no check valve--nor should there be--at the tank, although a high loop in the head discharge line MAY be a good idea. 2,3 If the head only flushes into the tank--no y-valve to allow flushing directly overboard at sea--there's no need for a vented loop in the head discharge line. But one is required in any line--including the head intake (but not between the thru-hull and the toilet, between the pump and the bowl)--that connects to a below-waterline thru-hull. For detailed "marine sanitation system 101/for dummies" installation, operation and maintenance instructions, see the link below.
Liking the blocked vent diagnosis
Thanks, Peggie. I recall that the problem started a couple of weeks ago when the holding tank overflowed slightly, even running out the vent, just before a pumpout. When pumping out again last night, the waste tank cover was under a little pressure. I could also hear the vent wheeze and whistle a little when pumping out and when filling back up with water to clean it out. I will take apart the vent fitting instead of take apart the head. Happy, happy, joy, joy.
Thanks, Peggie. I recall that the problem started a couple of weeks ago when the holding tank overflowed slightly, even running out the vent, just before a pumpout. When pumping out again last night, the waste tank cover was under a little pressure. I could also hear the vent wheeze and whistle a little when pumping out and when filling back up with water to clean it out. I will take apart the vent fitting instead of take apart the head. Happy, happy, joy, joy.
Thanks For All the Input
I'll be ordering the book tonight!!!! Sounds like there is alot more to this than I thought there was. Thanks again to all!!!!! Mal
I'll be ordering the book tonight!!!! Sounds like there is alot more to this than I thought there was. Thanks again to all!!!!! Mal
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