Priming the Head Pump?

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Herb Parsons

I recently purchased a Coronado 35. The previous owner took great pride in the redone head, but I've noticed what I'm sure is a problem (or two). To get the toilet to flush, even when set to "wet flush", I have to prime it first, either by squirting some water from the sink faucet into it, or if I've done enough the "natuaral way". If I don't, it doesn't pump water, just the same as if it's set to dry flush. Additionally, when it is "primed", the head gives off a sulpher like smell that's pretty bad. This is supposedly flushing from the lake, and discharging directly into the water. There is no holding tank yet (a winter or spring project for me), so I know it's not a holding tank problem. The priming issue tells me SOMETHING is done wrong, and the odor makes me think that may be a result of whatever the problem is as well. All of this is new on the boat, and it looks like it's done right, but I really don't know what I'm looking at. My other boat is an O'Day 25 with a port-a-pottie that is much easier to diagnose. Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,966
- - LIttle Rock
Two separate issues.

The odor is caused by water in the head intake and pump that stagnates when the boat sits. Though it's more common in salt water than in fresh, some fresh water lakes, especially shallow ones, are more "organic" than others, and therefore can be as stinky as sea water when it stagnates in an anaerobic environment. There's a simple inexpensive cure for it in the archives...search for "intake odor"...it's also in the material at the link below. As for your toilet not priming, I don't think it's related to your odor problem...if it were, you wouldn't be able to prime the toilet at all. It sounds like the flapper valve in the pump has either failed or isn't seated correctly. Assuming that the toilet is the Jabsco manual, you'll find the exploded drawing for it here: http://www.jabsco.com/prodInfo/overview/29090-2000_ev.pdf
 
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Herb Parsons

Lake Pontchartrain

Thanks, I'll look up that archive. Even though it's on a lake, that part of Pontchartrain is brackish, salty enough for barnicles to grow, so sounds like that may be the issue on the odor. I'll check out the valve you mention.
 
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