Help, holding tank won't pump out! I'm the mostly proud owner of a 1981 Catalina 30. It seems I have a problem with my waste holding tank and I have no idea what to do. The tank wont pump out and when I try adding water in through the deck pumpout only a small amount goes down and comes back out clean. There is a macerater pump between the tank and the pumpout that was not working (electrical issue) resolved it and it now runs, but no luck. Any thoughts on what could be wrong and/or how to proceed would be greatly appreciated, Carlos
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can you give a little more info?
When you say 'pump out' do you mean discharging overboard through a seacock or do you mean pumping out via the deck fitting. The reason is this: the macerator pump is not between the deck plate and the tank, its a different hose which runs from the tank to the pump to the seacock. If you are discharing overboard, make sure the hose is connected to a seacock which is open. If the macerator is not working, then you will not be able to discharge. If you can't empty the holding tank via a pumpout via the deck fitting, the tank is either empty or you have a blockage. I doubt the latter because pumpouts have farily strong suction. That's all I can suggest without more info. Also, try not don't discharge at the dock or mooring it illegal.
When you say 'pump out' do you mean discharging overboard through a seacock or do you mean pumping out via the deck fitting. The reason is this: the macerator pump is not between the deck plate and the tank, its a different hose which runs from the tank to the pump to the seacock. If you are discharing overboard, make sure the hose is connected to a seacock which is open. If the macerator is not working, then you will not be able to discharge. If you can't empty the holding tank via a pumpout via the deck fitting, the tank is either empty or you have a blockage. I doubt the latter because pumpouts have farily strong suction. That's all I can suggest without more info. Also, try not don't discharge at the dock or mooring it illegal.
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I just thought, is there a Y valve somewhere in the system. My previous c-25 had a y valve which could switch from overboard discharge to deck fitting discharge depending on your needs. That could also be a cause. David B. C'est Sea Bon C-30 #5367 Boston
I just thought, is there a Y valve somewhere in the system. My previous c-25 had a y valve which could switch from overboard discharge to deck fitting discharge depending on your needs. That could also be a cause. David B. C'est Sea Bon C-30 #5367 Boston
Same thing happened to me!
Carlos... I couldn't get my holding tank to pump-out either. I tried putting water down the tube, but it filled up quickly and wouldn't drain. I suspected a blockage as well...until I looked closer. On my '87 Cat 30, there is a valve just past the holding tank BEFORE the macerator pump connection (valve 1). There is the thru-hull for the macerator, and then AFTER the macerator connection but BEFORE the deck fitting for the pump-out, there is another valve (valve 2). Mine are all located under the settee access that you remove to get to the macerator pump. To use the macerator, you need to open valve one and the thru hull attached to the macerator. To pump out, you need to open valves 1 AND 2. Once I did that, it worked like a charm. I felt like an idiot for a few minutes, but hey, I was a new boat owner too!!
Good luck... Jim
Carlos... I couldn't get my holding tank to pump-out either. I tried putting water down the tube, but it filled up quickly and wouldn't drain. I suspected a blockage as well...until I looked closer. On my '87 Cat 30, there is a valve just past the holding tank BEFORE the macerator pump connection (valve 1). There is the thru-hull for the macerator, and then AFTER the macerator connection but BEFORE the deck fitting for the pump-out, there is another valve (valve 2). Mine are all located under the settee access that you remove to get to the macerator pump. To use the macerator, you need to open valve one and the thru hull attached to the macerator. To pump out, you need to open valves 1 AND 2. Once I did that, it worked like a charm. I felt like an idiot for a few minutes, but hey, I was a new boat owner too!!
Good luck... JimSame problem but...
...in my case, I suspect that valve #2 that Jim refers to is broken. It's worked fine in the past but now I have the same problem you have. Valve #2 is a gate valve and they can break inside; usually the valve stem separates from the gate so the handle turns OK but the gate doesn't open. Luckily, they can usually be disassembled and repaired without removing them from the hoses. I haven't tackled the valve yet but will have to sooner or later. You should be able to check if the gate is opening properly by inserting a plumber's snake down the pump out fitting. With the gate valve "open" the snake should pass through the valve.
...in my case, I suspect that valve #2 that Jim refers to is broken. It's worked fine in the past but now I have the same problem you have. Valve #2 is a gate valve and they can break inside; usually the valve stem separates from the gate so the handle turns OK but the gate doesn't open. Luckily, they can usually be disassembled and repaired without removing them from the hoses. I haven't tackled the valve yet but will have to sooner or later. You should be able to check if the gate is opening properly by inserting a plumber's snake down the pump out fitting. With the gate valve "open" the snake should pass through the valve.
Thanks!
Thanks for all the great input folks... I've also gotten responses indicating a potentially plugged vent. I'll mess with it this weekend and let everyone know. Thanks again, Carlos
Thanks for all the great input folks... I've also gotten responses indicating a potentially plugged vent. I'll mess with it this weekend and let everyone know. Thanks again, Carlos
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