I 'll try one more thing

[Jim Rushing]

After about four years the head in my '95 35.5 started to smell. I have tried chemicals, ozone generators, and have rebuilt the pump assembly several times. Even changed the pump assembly to the latest model last winter. Now I am going to try the vinager in the intake line trick. If that doesn't work, then change out the head is next. I have noticed that on the water intake into the head, small black pieces of something are rinsed into the bowl. Peggy is there anything else I can do beside sink the boat. The holding tank is just fine, except for being to small (13 gallons). The hose between the head and the tank has some odor, but not much. It is the smell that comes from the head that is driving my wife nuts. Like most men, I can't smell all that good.

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

You've tried everything EXCEPT...

what you should have done in the first place: ASK what's causing it. If you had, you'd have saved yourself a lot of aggrevation. The black flecks are some kind of weeds that have gotten sucked up into your head intake where they've died and are decaying...and when they decay, they STINK. The cure: close the seacocks and remove the toilet to a location where you can blast a LOT of water, detergent and bleach through it till all the organic matter has been flushed out, followed by a healthy dose of white vinegar. Or, you could just replace the toilet...whether that's a viable option depends upon how old it is and how long it's been--if ever--since it's even been properly lubricated, much less rebuilt. If the head's a Jabsco and more than 5 years old, you're better of just replacing it.Prevention is a lot easier: a strainer on your head intake. Just remember to clean it regularly, or you'll be asking why your toilet won't bring any flush water in any more.

 

[Jim Rushing]

EXCEPT

Well Peggy, I have replaced or rebuilt everything in the Jabsco Head over the last few years except the china bowl. The bowl is about seven years old at this point. I just didn't think that bowls were a consumable item on a boat. About adding a strainer to the intake line. It can be done, but of course not easily.Thanks, Jim Rushing