Leaky Sinks / Water Tank Wont Fill

[Nick_Hill]

Hi Peggie,

I recently bought a 78 Kettenburg 32 it is pretty much the same setup as the Columbia 9.6. I'm having problems with the sinks and the amount of fresh water the holding tank is actually holding. It's supposed to be a 20gal tank but only seems to hold about a gallon before it stops taking anymore water. The sinks are also exerting water without being pumped until almost all of the water from the tank is empty.

The tank and hoses all seem to be in great shape. What am I overlooking?

Any suggestions? Anyone?

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I'm guessing a blocked tank vent

Holding tanks aren't the only tanks that have vents. And if the air displaced by incoming, whether it's water, waste or fuel, has no escape, that would pressurize the tank, preventing it from taking on more than a gallon or two of water...and a pressurized tank would also do its best to empty itself via any place it can find an exit...which would explain why water is coming out your faucets.

That's the first thing I'd check anyway...and while you're checking the water tank vent, check ALL your tank vents...'cuz your boat has been sitting awhile, and dirt daubers just LOVE to build nests in tank vent thru-hulls.

 

[Nick_Hill]

Thanks Peggie! One more question... Any idea where these vents might be?

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

You'll have to find 'em.

Except for UNvented bladder tanks, all tanks have vent lines that go to thru-hull fittings above the waterline. They're 5/8" (that's the INNER diameter) hoses that connect to the tanks on the top, or on a side right at the top if there's no room above the tank for it. You need to trace all the tank vent lines to find those thru-hulls, which will prob'ly be right below the toe rail.

And while you're finding vent lines, find all your BELOW waterline thru-hulls and hoses....check the condition of the seacocks and hose clamps...replacing and lubricating as necessary...make sure you can close all the seacocks. Hoses may LOOK to be in good condition, but hoses dry out and become hard and brittle after about 10 years...prone to start cracking. Check 'em all carefully for signs that it's time to repalce 'em. 'Cuz if/when your boat ever starts taking on water, it would be a bit late to start hunting 'em or maintaining 'em.

Btw...20 gallons of water seems way too skimpy for a 32' boat. Are you sure you've found the water tank and not the waste holding tank? That wouldn't explain why you can't fill it or why your faucets (which prob'ly need new washers, if not replacing) are leaking, but another good reason to trace all the plumbing. You do need to know what's what on your boat.

 

[Nick_Hill]

Thanks Peggie,

I worked out the problem. Had to change the faucets and clear lots of debris in the lines. 20 gallons of fuel and 20 gallons of water. The previous owner likely changed out the tanks. The manual said they should be 30.