Holding Tank Air Vent

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Utta

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Jun 22, 2007
2
- - San Diego
Hi, Does anyone have an idea of how to fix or replace the holding tank air vent hose? This is a 420 passage. We used to have an air-filter attach to the vent hose and it does not not work so we took it off. The air was and still is leaking thruogh the ends of the hose. Is there anyone out there who had simmilar proplem? Any ideas or suggestions! Thank you very much Utta/Arnie
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,971
- - LIttle Rock
I'm not sure what you're asking...

Where is the vent line leaking air--at the tank? Vent thru-hull fitting? If you took the filter out (wise move, btw), you're left with two piece of hose that must either be joined using a male hose adapter and hose clamps...or better yet, the entire vent line replaced with a new piece of hose that reaches from your tank to the thru-hull without a break. If the two sections of hose aren't long enough to be joined after the filter is removed, you have no choice but to replace the vent line. So...Did you join the two ends of the hose? If so, how? Replacing the vent line is easy...warm the ends of the hose a bit make it easier to pull off the tank fitting and the vent thru-hull (remove the hose clamps first)...measure it. Buy a piece of hose that's about 18" longer-to make sure it will be long enough...put it on the tank and vent fittings, securely clamped...you're done. I think it would be a very good idea to ask a dock mate who has a bit more boat ownership experience than your question indicates you have to help you with this project.
 
U

Utta

Holding Tank Hose Vent

Thank you Peggie-Hall, It is leaking at the joint of the two male slip fittings that were connected to the old filter and are now joined by a male/male nipple. The real question, I didn't ask very well is why would there be enough pressure to cause the clamped male hose slip fittings to start leaking when they were not leaking before. In other words, more pressure seems to be building up in the tank. We are trying to figure out what the possible candidates are that would cause that to happen? Thanks, Any Ideas!
 
Dec 25, 2000
5,947
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Hi Utta, one possibility is that most standard...

clam shell shaped chrome scuppers used by Hunter and other makers has a built-in screen covering the opening to help prevent critters from building nests (my assumption) inside the vent hose. This screen is right at the hull line of the scupper and it could be plugged as it was with ours some years ago. If it is plugged it will allow pressure to build up inside the holding tank, thus the leakage you refer to (air, I'm assuming). Check out my article in the 42 Knowledge Base titled, "Head Winds". It explains how I cleared the plug and the procedure I use to keep the head system on our boat operating smoothly (thanks to Peggie). Terry
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,971
- - LIttle Rock
Check the vent line for a blockage...

Which is most likely to be in one of two places--or both: the vent thru-hull and the vent line connection to the tank, both the hose fitting and that end of the hose. Waste can build up and dry in either or both locations. Whatever you find, scrape it out with a screwdriver. If both ends of the vent line are clear, there's only one other possible explanation for air leakage at the connection between the two ends of the vent line: the male connector is too small. The "standard" vent lines size is 5/8"...so if you (or whoever joined 'em for you) used a 1/2" male connector, there's no way the hoses could seal around it tightly. OR if the PO (previous owner) went with a larger 3/4" or 1" diameter vent line (also a VERY wise move), and a boatyard "grunt" used a 5/8" connector on the assumption that it should be the right size, it wouldn't even come close to sealing. IMO, the smartest thing you can do is replace the entire vent line with a new hose that's a continuos unbroker line from the tank to the vent thru-hull. Just be sure to use sanitation hose...'cuz if you try to save a little $$ by going with clear water hose, you'll be back next month asking where the odor in your boat is coming from. You might want to check out the link below...it's a comprehensive "marine toilets and holding tanks 101" manual that will guide you in operating and maintaining your toilet and tank to PREVENT problems so you won't have to solve 'em at the most inconvenient times (when else would a toilet or tank cause problems????).
 
U

Utta

Many Thanks for the Great Guidence

Thank you very much, tomorrow, we will check each one of these things and let you know were the problem lay. We greatly appreciated your help and advice. Thanks Terry and Yerry Utta
 
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