Holding tank vent is clogged

[Jim]

Well spring cleanup is here and I'm trying to make another attempt to unclog the holding tank vent through the stanchion on my '88 C30. It totally clogged and any attempts to clean out the hole with wire or blow out the line from the other end have been fruitless. Here's a few questions to those experienced in this:- Is there a way to get at the vent hose without removing the medicine chest? I removed the little access panel above the chest but there is a fiberglass lip in the way that makes it impossible to get at the hoseclamp with any tools. - How do I remove the medecine chest?- Am I better off just removing the stanchion? Any tricks to doing that?- Or am I really better off just adding another vent? What kind of vent should I use and where should I place it?Thanks in advance, and thanks to all the frequent posters for all the wonderful tips I pick up here!JimC'30 OdysseyHuntington, NY

 

[Dave]

Vent line

Hi Jim:I had a clogged vent line on my 96. First, I used a short wire from the stanchon end, then I blasted the hole in the stanchon with a direct stream of water from the hose with a nozel. Then I went below and removed the hose from the tank fitting. I held it tight against the nozel of the hose and blased from the inside out. I got a little side spray, but not much, and I kept the pressure on until my wife reporte water coming out of the stanchon. I still had a little "curd" in the tube, but a short squirt from the top side, blew it back into the tank. Has worked fine ever since. Good luckDave S/V Westwind

 

[Jim Aridas]

Holding Tank Vent Clogged

Jim,I had a clogged vent hose last year on Gone Eith The Wind (#4911), and after trying everything, I wound up removing the medicine cabinet to get to the hose. The cabinet is held on by two screws on each side, the screws can be accessed from the bulkhead in the main cabin and in the v-berth. Bring a friend when you do this - it is not a one man job. I found a piece of caulk in the vent stanchion - how the head had worked for 13 years still amazes me.Jim AridasGone With The Wind