Have you noticed it takes a long time to ask a head question. Last July we noticed sewage dripping from the Head vent on our O'Day 272 at the pump out station. Eventully that morning we did get the head empty as the water line boot-stripe reappeared....Head worked great there-after....after labor day we went to another pump out station at our club and it never seemed like we got anything out, although I'm nearly certain it was full....no one has done anything in it but number 1...although I'm certain my wife uses marine toilet paper.....Anyway, again at the pump out we could not get it to really pump. Several other boats were also having trouble getting the pump out to work right so I didn't think much about it as I was relatively certain the holding tank was not totally full....so I poured antifreeze into it (approx. 3 gallons)....It seemed like it was unhappy pumping the raritan PH II head...I sent out side and noticed the vent was dripping again....I'm certain the head holding tank is either full...the vent clogged (boat is 24 years old)..what should be my first steps in solving this....should I blow out the vent hose if I can...??? help. Your thoughts and ideas are appreciated.
Peak a poo
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First step: Clear the tank vent.
I'm sure the tank IS full too...and has been for months. You won't be able to empty it until the vent is clear.
Of course your was "unhappy" pumping the toilet. Because air in the tank displaced by incoming flushes has nowhere to go, the tank was becoming increasingly pressurized, creating backpressure.
The two most common locations for a vent blockage are the vent thru-hull and the connection to the tank--both the tank vent fitting and that end of the vent line. Use a screw driver blade or whatever works to scrape 'em out....if there's a screen in the thru-hull, knock it out...screens cause more problems than they solve. Once you've cleaned out the thru-hull, remove the vent line from the tank and clean out the other end of the vent.
Once you've cleared the vent and pumped out the tank, you'll need to clean out and re-winterize the entire system. Pump out the tank and THOROUGHLY rinse it out. Then, to winterize properly, remove the head intake line from the thru-hull (close the seacock first!!!) and stick in it a jug of non-toxic potable antifreeze (the "pink stuff")...use ONLY non-toxic potable antifreeze, never automotive antifreeze. Pump the the whole gallon through the system by simply pumping the toilet. Leave the head intake hose off the thru-hull till spring...If the boat is to come out the water for the winter, open the thru-hull AFTER it's out.
And take the time this winter to learn how to maintain your toilet, tank and tank vent to prevent problems in the future...the link in my signature will help you do that...it goes to a comprehensive "marine toilets and holding tanks 101" manual.
Most people ask head questions when they FIRST start having problems, btw.
I'm sure the tank IS full too...and has been for months. You won't be able to empty it until the vent is clear.
Of course your was "unhappy" pumping the toilet. Because air in the tank displaced by incoming flushes has nowhere to go, the tank was becoming increasingly pressurized, creating backpressure.
The two most common locations for a vent blockage are the vent thru-hull and the connection to the tank--both the tank vent fitting and that end of the vent line. Use a screw driver blade or whatever works to scrape 'em out....if there's a screen in the thru-hull, knock it out...screens cause more problems than they solve. Once you've cleaned out the thru-hull, remove the vent line from the tank and clean out the other end of the vent.
Once you've cleared the vent and pumped out the tank, you'll need to clean out and re-winterize the entire system. Pump out the tank and THOROUGHLY rinse it out. Then, to winterize properly, remove the head intake line from the thru-hull (close the seacock first!!!) and stick in it a jug of non-toxic potable antifreeze (the "pink stuff")...use ONLY non-toxic potable antifreeze, never automotive antifreeze. Pump the the whole gallon through the system by simply pumping the toilet. Leave the head intake hose off the thru-hull till spring...If the boat is to come out the water for the winter, open the thru-hull AFTER it's out.
And take the time this winter to learn how to maintain your toilet, tank and tank vent to prevent problems in the future...the link in my signature will help you do that...it goes to a comprehensive "marine toilets and holding tanks 101" manual.
Most people ask head questions when they FIRST start having problems, btw.
Pat: We normally try to flush out the vent line after every pumpout. We find that we get critters in the vent line from time to time. There is also the obvious problem with the vent getting plugged by natural means. A good flush of the tank and vent line after each pump out is a good idea.
this is a reply to Peggy, thank you. As a clarification, we have owned this boat since it was brand new in 1986 and have never had an issue until late this summer....always pumped out just great...It was late in July or August when I first began to suspect it was not pumping well & I did ask questions then and expressed a concern that the holding tank was not pumping out, but other people assured me I was wrong....the bow is suppose to get lighter, not heavier, but other people were having problems with the club pump out too.....We've always winterized and used good chemicals....and the raritan lube, etc. religiously....that said...is it hard to take off vent hose from the thru hull device on the hull side..is there just a hose clamp holding it on. where I can easily blow air thru it? It is true I have never blown out the vent...
Are there any dangers in this?....Exploding the tank perhaps? I'm headed out to the lake tomorrow and can blow it out & then go to the pump out and then re-winterize....It is currently re-winterized...also, please know no one has gone number 2 in this thing for 2 or 3 years....It's suppose to be 60 here tomorrow so tomorrow is the time to do it. I do appreciate your thoughts.
Peggie, I'll follow your link too. Pat
Thank you Peggie and Steve.....the vent is fixed....the tank is empty on the O'Day 272...The tank was totally full....and the vent on the side of the hull was clogged...we blew it out and then pumped out with a portable pump out.
It was all aqua and almost all water.....For sure have learned to check the vent....the places O'Day put the vent, each end is very accessible.
Again, thank you....She is all winterized and happy again, for the 24 th year.
Patrick A. Coulter
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