Anyone here know why my johnson manual pump toilet all of the sudden has decide to not drain. The pump handle pulls up normally and pulls in fresh water. But pushing it down to drain it out is extremely difficult. Almost as if something is keeping the handle from going down. even if I do manage to get the pump handle down it doesn't drain anything out. It's a 1 year old toilet and I also don't use it for any solids.
manual pump toilet doesn't drain
- Thread starter qazvick
- Start date
Or your hose from the head to the tank is blocked and/or your vent line from the tank is blocked.
Head Hoses 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5738.0.html
Head Hoses 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5738.0.html
Something is creating back pressure and also pressurizing the whole system...so unless you want to risk a face full of sewage when the backpressure gets great enough that it has to escape where it can, stop don't use the toilet again untill you've found and solved the problem. And btw...this fall when you get ready to haul out, THOROUGLY rinse out the tank, the vent line, and all the plumbing including any to and from any macerator with plenty of clean FRESH water.
It's POSSIBLE that the wet/dry cam in the pump has hung up...very common on Jabsco toilets, but not on the Johnson Pump clones of the Jabsco manual. Still...might help if you try wiggling the lever a bit to see if that helps. If it does, a new pump makes more sense than a replacement cam assembly.
However....
This is the spring of the year, when mud daubers love to build nests in any opening they can find...this includes vent thru-hulls on boats and venturis on gas grills. So the tank vent thru-hull is the first thing to check. If there's a screen in it, knock it out...screens cause more problems than prevent. Scrape it all out with a screwdriver blade or whatever works. If it is a blocked tank vent, it's gonna outgas when the blockage goes...if the tank is empty, you won't get a nasty bath...if it's not, you could. If scraping out the vent thru-hull doesn't solve the problem, the next most likely spot for a blockage is the other end of the vent line and the vent fitting on the tank. But before removing the vent line from the tank (warming the hose with a blow dryer will make that a lot easier), it would be a good idea to open the deck pumpout fitting to relieve any pressure first...cuz if there's anything in the tank, you don't want all over the boat! Be sure to stand UPwind of the deck fitting when you loose the cap and hang on tight to the cap.
If it's not a blocked vent and system isn't pressurized, next, remove the discharge hose from the toilet...warming it first with a blow dryer will make that easier too. Try flushing the toilet into a pan or something to catch the water! If it still won't flush, the problem is in the toilet...replace the pump...it's about the same cost as a rebuild kit...and btw, the kit does not include a wet/dry cam assembly.
If the toilet flushes, you have blockage somewhere in the plumbing between the toilet and the tank....you'll just have to find it and remove it.
It's POSSIBLE that the wet/dry cam in the pump has hung up...very common on Jabsco toilets, but not on the Johnson Pump clones of the Jabsco manual. Still...might help if you try wiggling the lever a bit to see if that helps. If it does, a new pump makes more sense than a replacement cam assembly.
However....
This is the spring of the year, when mud daubers love to build nests in any opening they can find...this includes vent thru-hulls on boats and venturis on gas grills. So the tank vent thru-hull is the first thing to check. If there's a screen in it, knock it out...screens cause more problems than prevent. Scrape it all out with a screwdriver blade or whatever works. If it is a blocked tank vent, it's gonna outgas when the blockage goes...if the tank is empty, you won't get a nasty bath...if it's not, you could. If scraping out the vent thru-hull doesn't solve the problem, the next most likely spot for a blockage is the other end of the vent line and the vent fitting on the tank. But before removing the vent line from the tank (warming the hose with a blow dryer will make that a lot easier), it would be a good idea to open the deck pumpout fitting to relieve any pressure first...cuz if there's anything in the tank, you don't want all over the boat! Be sure to stand UPwind of the deck fitting when you loose the cap and hang on tight to the cap.
If it's not a blocked vent and system isn't pressurized, next, remove the discharge hose from the toilet...warming it first with a blow dryer will make that easier too. Try flushing the toilet into a pan or something to catch the water! If it still won't flush, the problem is in the toilet...replace the pump...it's about the same cost as a rebuild kit...and btw, the kit does not include a wet/dry cam assembly.
If the toilet flushes, you have blockage somewhere in the plumbing between the toilet and the tank....you'll just have to find it and remove it.
Thank you very much for the detailed response!! I'm out of town on business and I'll get to it in a couple days and report back. Thanks again!
ok... hoses are literally clogged up like a sumo wrestlers. the hoses were reduced from about 2" to about 3/4" of passageway. Un real. What finally closed it off was a tampon. Lovely.
All new hoses now.
All new hoses now.
A cupful of distilled white vinegar down the toilet once a week (or as often as you use the boat) will prevent build up in your new hoses. Flush it all the way through the system, do NOT leave it sitting in the bowl! After 45-60 minutes, follow with a bowlful of clean FRESH water flushed all the way through the system.
I've never figured out a way to guarantee that none of your landlubber guests will ever flush a tampon, wet wipe or condom even if you instruct them that NOTHING, not even TP, goes into the bowl that they haven't eaten first. I used to keep a little waste can with a flap door in the top in my dock locker...got it out when landlubber guests were expected, put a liner in it and put zipper sandwich bags next to it...told guests that EVERYTHING they hadn't eaten went into it. When they left the liner and its contents went to the dumpster, the little can and box of baggies went back into the locker. I don't know if all my guests always complied or I was just lucky, but I never had a clog.
Out of curiosity. I noticed this pump doesn't havery a macerator on it. The bottom of the bowl has, essentially, a 90* turn that goes towards the manual pump. it sure doesn't look like it could handle any kinda of significant solids deposits (aka #2). Am I underestimating this toilet? I'm going to be on the hook for a few months and need to know if they're designed to handle it.
You're underestimating your toilet. Any well maintained manual toilet can handle solid waste just fine. It is helpful to add water to the bowl ahead of use. Since manual toilets aren't designed to bring in flush water and hold it, use a cup of water from the sink...a large beer cupful should be enough. Solids are at least 75% water, so they start dissolving as soon as they enter the bowl...the pump and the angles also break it up. However, it may be advisable to flush a large volume early and often, adding water to the bowl each time. Use ONLY '"quick dissolve" TP...you don't have to spend the money for "marine/rv' TP though. To find out whether it's ok for use aboard, tear off a sheet and put it in a glass or jar of water. If it's still a solid sheet an hour later, try another brand. But if it's broken up into little bits and the water is milky, it's the same thing as "marine/rv" for a LOT less $$.
FYI, it's rarely necessary to unclog a clog that's due ONLY to an overload of solids (it does happen, but rarely). It will almost always dissolve on its own if you'll wait an hour, then try pumping again.
FYI, it's rarely necessary to unclog a clog that's due ONLY to an overload of solids (it does happen, but rarely). It will almost always dissolve on its own if you'll wait an hour, then try pumping again.
Never thought I'd be a shitter tester. Looks like I'll be testing it out though before I head south! Ha!
Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the help.