I have a Hunter 31, 1986 it has a new Raritan manual pump head. All was fine and then the handle started to get stiff. I pumped it a few more times and it feels like it is pushing back. It won't flush and it pushes the handle to the up position. This is not good. Any ideas? I've got a bucket, but when I'm on the hook Mama won't use it. Please help. Thanks in advance.
Head Won't Pump
- Thread starter Bro Paul
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clogged?
sounds to me like something is jammed in the hose. It could be the suction side I guess, I assume you checked the supply valve open. It is realatively easy to dissassemble the pump mechancism. Also you can remove the supply hose from the pump and see if water flows in that will tell you if it is clogged. But it sounds more like the discharge side is clogged.
sounds to me like something is jammed in the hose. It could be the suction side I guess, I assume you checked the supply valve open. It is realatively easy to dissassemble the pump mechancism. Also you can remove the supply hose from the pump and see if water flows in that will tell you if it is clogged. But it sounds more like the discharge side is clogged.
I doubt it...Most likely a blocked tank vent
Unless someone has flushed something they shouldn't have, I'd bet your holding tank vent is blocked, causing the tank--the whole system--to become pressurized, which is creating backpressure after a few pumps of the toilet. (Whyizzit that a blocked tank vent is the last thing most people think to check when there's backpressure...when it should be the first thing? 'Cuz if air in the tank displaced by flushing can't get out the vent, it HAS to push back.) The easiest way to find out whether it's blocked is to loosen the deck pumpout cap...have a hose handy, 'cuz if the tank is pressurized, you'll have an eruption (I can't begin to count the number of people who've taken baths in sewage because they disconnected a hose to look for a clog before doing this!)...If not, you won't. The most common places for a vent blockage are the thru-hull and the connection on the tank. Start at the thru-hull and scrape it out with a screwdriver blade. Then remove the vent line from the tank and check both the tank fitting and the end of the hose...clean out if necessary. Far less likely in a new toilet, but still more likely than a clog...if the toilet is a PH II, it has an air valve (it's a little flat square doodad with a hole in it on the front of the pump housing that looks like it's molded into it, but is actually threaded in)...if it's defective or has become clogged, it can produce the backpressure you're describing. My money's on a blocked tank vent...but if that's not it, call Raritan for a replacement air valve. 800-352-5630...if the toilet's less than a year old, it's still under warranty. Do not try to use the toilet again or attempt to pump out or dump the tank till you've found and solved the problem...doing so can have disastrous consequences--anything from an eruption in the toilet to a cracked tank.
Unless someone has flushed something they shouldn't have, I'd bet your holding tank vent is blocked, causing the tank--the whole system--to become pressurized, which is creating backpressure after a few pumps of the toilet. (Whyizzit that a blocked tank vent is the last thing most people think to check when there's backpressure...when it should be the first thing? 'Cuz if air in the tank displaced by flushing can't get out the vent, it HAS to push back.) The easiest way to find out whether it's blocked is to loosen the deck pumpout cap...have a hose handy, 'cuz if the tank is pressurized, you'll have an eruption (I can't begin to count the number of people who've taken baths in sewage because they disconnected a hose to look for a clog before doing this!)...If not, you won't. The most common places for a vent blockage are the thru-hull and the connection on the tank. Start at the thru-hull and scrape it out with a screwdriver blade. Then remove the vent line from the tank and check both the tank fitting and the end of the hose...clean out if necessary. Far less likely in a new toilet, but still more likely than a clog...if the toilet is a PH II, it has an air valve (it's a little flat square doodad with a hole in it on the front of the pump housing that looks like it's molded into it, but is actually threaded in)...if it's defective or has become clogged, it can produce the backpressure you're describing. My money's on a blocked tank vent...but if that's not it, call Raritan for a replacement air valve. 800-352-5630...if the toilet's less than a year old, it's still under warranty. Do not try to use the toilet again or attempt to pump out or dump the tank till you've found and solved the problem...doing so can have disastrous consequences--anything from an eruption in the toilet to a cracked tank.
My 31 did that and
I took the top of the pump off (4 screws around the handle) the rubber valves where incrusted with salt-crud cleaned it works great now, easy fix if thats what it is.
I took the top of the pump off (4 screws around the handle) the rubber valves where incrusted with salt-crud cleaned it works great now, easy fix if thats what it is.
or if
you have a y-valve, try pumping it in that direction to help determine the area of blockage. I've had this problem once before and it mysteriously went away, I hate problems that fix themselves, and then it came back. Come to find out, after disaseembling the pump, that there was (ahem) tampax in there... I then ran a coat hanger through to the tank from the toilet side and found more.. Now that the dirty work is done, the toilet flushs like new and likewise- I have new rules regarding the procedure's of what to flush and what not too. But this isn't to say that you have a blockage, it might even be a simple pump failure as Peggie mentioned. heh, is your holding tank Full?
you have a y-valve, try pumping it in that direction to help determine the area of blockage. I've had this problem once before and it mysteriously went away, I hate problems that fix themselves, and then it came back. Come to find out, after disaseembling the pump, that there was (ahem) tampax in there... I then ran a coat hanger through to the tank from the toilet side and found more.. Now that the dirty work is done, the toilet flushs like new and likewise- I have new rules regarding the procedure's of what to flush and what not too. But this isn't to say that you have a blockage, it might even be a simple pump failure as Peggie mentioned. heh, is your holding tank Full?
Thanks...
I have a lot to look at now. I'm on it. I just had the tank pumped out. That was my first thought. I pumped out ok, but the problem still existed. So I gave it on more pump and the hose popped off the Y valve on the sea cock side. The Y valve didn't seem to be closing that side all the way. It's old and I guess that this would be a good time to change it so it closes all the way. So at this point I'm going to take Peggy's advice and check the vent and then go for the clog thing. I'll let you know what's up as soon as I do. Thanks for all you help and I'll have go get Peggy's book to get rid of the smells that I'm creating fixing this thing. Paul
I have a lot to look at now. I'm on it. I just had the tank pumped out. That was my first thought. I pumped out ok, but the problem still existed. So I gave it on more pump and the hose popped off the Y valve on the sea cock side. The Y valve didn't seem to be closing that side all the way. It's old and I guess that this would be a good time to change it so it closes all the way. So at this point I'm going to take Peggy's advice and check the vent and then go for the clog thing. I'll let you know what's up as soon as I do. Thanks for all you help and I'll have go get Peggy's book to get rid of the smells that I'm creating fixing this thing. Paul
Pumping against a closed y-valve and/or seacock
would do it, 'cuz the pressure has nowhere to go except back toward the toilet. If you've been able to pump out AND you're positive that the tank is actually empty (a lot of people just assume it is because the pumpout couldn't get any more after it pulled a vacuum against the vent blockage), the vent's prob'ly not blocked...but should be checked and cleaned out regularly to make sure it never is. So I think you've found the problem...that the hose came off the y-valve is a major clue that's what's happening....and although a blocked tank vent is a high-percentage bet, I'd have lost my money this time.
Replace your y-valve with a Whale...avoid the Jabsco. The Whale and other good quality y-valves have a "barrel" inside that rotates when the handle is turned...the Jabsco just has a VERY flimsy little "gate" that swings to block one side or the other...and they break easily--the lever breaks, the o-rings on some valves fail or curl...a bit of TP can get caught under the "gate," jamming it or breaking it. A Whale won't cost you much if any more and will last forever. Mark...you apparently have a Jabsco toilet...The top can be removed from it, but he has a different toilet...The Raritan PH II pump doesn't have a top that comes off. Jim...unless you want to take your toilet apart again, your "new rules" should be: NOTHING--no facial tissue, baby wipes, paper towels...not even a toothpick--goes into the toilet that has been eaten first except quick-dissolve TP. "Flushable" and/or "septic tank" safe at home does not mean it can be flushed down a marine toilet...marine toilets will choke on everything but waste and quick-dissolve TP. And btw, guys...while you've had your toilets apart, did you think to lubricate 'em with the same thick teflon grease that's in every new toilet when it leaves the factory...and lasts at least a year, sometimes two years???
would do it, 'cuz the pressure has nowhere to go except back toward the toilet. If you've been able to pump out AND you're positive that the tank is actually empty (a lot of people just assume it is because the pumpout couldn't get any more after it pulled a vacuum against the vent blockage), the vent's prob'ly not blocked...but should be checked and cleaned out regularly to make sure it never is. So I think you've found the problem...that the hose came off the y-valve is a major clue that's what's happening....and although a blocked tank vent is a high-percentage bet, I'd have lost my money this time.
Replace your y-valve with a Whale...avoid the Jabsco. The Whale and other good quality y-valves have a "barrel" inside that rotates when the handle is turned...the Jabsco just has a VERY flimsy little "gate" that swings to block one side or the other...and they break easily--the lever breaks, the o-rings on some valves fail or curl...a bit of TP can get caught under the "gate," jamming it or breaking it. A Whale won't cost you much if any more and will last forever. Mark...you apparently have a Jabsco toilet...The top can be removed from it, but he has a different toilet...The Raritan PH II pump doesn't have a top that comes off. Jim...unless you want to take your toilet apart again, your "new rules" should be: NOTHING--no facial tissue, baby wipes, paper towels...not even a toothpick--goes into the toilet that has been eaten first except quick-dissolve TP. "Flushable" and/or "septic tank" safe at home does not mean it can be flushed down a marine toilet...marine toilets will choke on everything but waste and quick-dissolve TP. And btw, guys...while you've had your toilets apart, did you think to lubricate 'em with the same thick teflon grease that's in every new toilet when it leaves the factory...and lasts at least a year, sometimes two years???
Had same problem
All first time guests get a marine head 101 class on how it works before we leave the slip. Last year a guest used the head and had a problem flushing. I went below to check on the problem and found I could not hand pump to get a flush. Hard as a rock. I asked if something other than ... you know was flushed. Make a long story short what I found was the dry/wet lever was not pushed all the way to ether side. The hand pump water had no place to go. Pushed the lever all the why down and it worked!
All first time guests get a marine head 101 class on how it works before we leave the slip. Last year a guest used the head and had a problem flushing. I went below to check on the problem and found I could not hand pump to get a flush. Hard as a rock. I asked if something other than ... you know was flushed. Make a long story short what I found was the dry/wet lever was not pushed all the way to ether side. The hand pump water had no place to go. Pushed the lever all the why down and it worked!
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