How to clear the Holding Tank Vent Hose

[KennyBene]

I have a 1990 MkII and am pretty sure the holding tank vent hose is clogged.

After a search I found out the hose attaches to the stanchion on the port side but how the heck to you clean/clear it out?

Over the winter I'll install a thruhull but what can I do to clear this clogged hose?

Any help is much appreciated

 

[Team118]

Disconnect from the stanchion and the holding tank and use compressed air to blow out the hose.

If you don't disconnect from both, you'll just push everything up into the stanchion or the holding tank...

I would gues if you don't have compressed air and have access to water, maybe find a way to 'reduce' down in size from the garden hose to the vent hose and blow water through it...don't forge to either the vent hose over the side of the boat or have it empty into a bucket...tie it down so it doesn't fly all over!

Chris

 

[Anonymous 121765]

KT,

Team 118 had a great explanation for solving this.

You can buy a cheap PVC thread x hose adapter fitting for connecting your hose end to a small length of hose you have laying around. Attach the hose to the adapter then to the end fitting on the stantion. Flush it out the vent hole on the stanchion. At least this way you wont have a watery mess down below.

Don't forget to check the vent fitting is not clogged on your tank also.

CR

 

[Brad Woodward]

Just try pumping out the tank with all the valves closed. (the macurater valve, and the inlet valve for flushing.). The negative pressure should suck the clog into the tank and then out. If that doesn't work use compressed air or a nozzle on a hose on the station vent and open the pump out cap. You shouldn't have to be removing hoses and the like. Do inspect all your fitting after using the second method however to make sure you don't blow a hose fitting off only to discover a real mess later.

 

[jrowan]

Sometimes earwig insects like to get into little vent openings & clog em up. If you don't have a compressor lying around your boat (and who does?) then try a piece of metal clothes hanger. It works wonders on cleaning out P traps on sinks, so I don't know why it wouldn't work if your clog is within the top 2 feet of the hose or fitting. My 2 cents worth.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

I don't remember KT mentioning a macerator, he spoke of his vent tubing being clogged.

CR

 

[KennyBene]

Thanks for all the useful info- today I took off the hose inside at the stanchion base and tried to poke into the hole with a hangar but it felt totally blocked. Same result going from the deck.

I will try the pressure water suggestions mentioned but it almost felt like the stanchion was rusted shut. Wiil also try from the tank side to clear.

Need to find a fix fast- the wife can't take the stank...

 

[Brad Woodward]

I don't remember KT mentioning a macerator, he spoke of his vent tubing being clogged.

CR

I was talking about clearing the vent tube. I was saying if you clearing the tube by trying pumping out the holding tank you need to make sure the Macerator though hull valve is closed as well as the through hull valve for the head intake so you will get some negative pressure in the tank, it may cause the clog to be sucked back into the holding tank then out the clean out hose. Using water pressure from a hose or come compressed air may do it also but there is a chance if the clog is stuff that went into the tube and dried that you could blow a hose fitting off,

 

[dj2210]

Just went through this on my 1990. I replaced the head, the hose from the tank to head and made sure the vent hose was clear. Pushing on the top of the tank might allow you to hear the air rushing back and forth thru the vent. I wasn't convinced so I took off the hose removed the stanchion and ran water thru both. It was good to rebed the stanchion anyway. Now all I need to do it the rest