New Head old problem

[lnranch]

PeggyI have a 83 O'Day 28 that I have owned for a couple of years. My orignal problem was when the boat was heeled over the head would back up and overflow. I found that the boat did not have a vented loop.. I installed one and the problem stopped. I have a Groco HF I installed when I purchased the boat. My new problem just occured. The holding tank was full and after the bowl was puimped out it it backed up into the bowl. Previously it would go out the overboard vent.Is there a problem with the duck valve in the head?Thanks

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

You might consider pumping out more often

Or a larger tank....'cuz waste shouldn't go out the vent line either. That's a good way to clog the vent. And that could very well be your problem. If the tank pressurizes, it can force waste past the joker valve. Is there a vented loop in the head discharge line--between the head and the tank? Or did you only put one in the head intake?

 

[lnranch]

Found The Problem

Peggy,The problem was the joker valve. I guess they have a short life. A larger holding tank would be good, but I would need a larger boat. Such is boating.Thanks

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

I wouldn't rely solely on a joker valve

They should be replaced at least annually, but even a brand new one in perfect working condition won't prevent liquids from seeping back into the bowl through it. If you don't have one, I'd install a loop in the head discharge line--doesn't have to be vented, just high enough to keep holding tank contents from making it over the top of it, which would be at least a foot above the waterline at any angle of heel. And in your situation, I'd put it as close the tank as possible...'cuz sewage standing in the head discharge line will very quickly permeate the hose with odor, and you'll have a stinky boat.PLEASE stop using your tank vent as an overflow, 'cuz I promise you--you WILL live to regret it. The odds of plugging the vent line or the vent through-hull are very high...and even if somehow you manage to avoid that, the "stuff" that sticks the walls of the inside of the hose, gets VERY ripe, especially in hot weather...and then you'll be back about the middle of July asking what to do about the odor outside the boat every time you flush the head in addition to what to do about the odor inside your boat from permeated hoses. You might want to read the articles in the Head Mistress forum Refererence Library...most head problems are due to ignorance of what causes 'em...and a few ounces of prevention can prevent several pounds of cure.