spitting up...?

[Tom M.]

Peggie,This last weekend our head (the cheap Jabsco) started acting strange. First, after use it would make kindofa gurgling sound. Then later when I was pumping it, it spit back out the discharge in the bottom of the bowl! Yikes! That's not good. I was thinking that some valve in the pump is not sealing completely allowing air to back flow into the discharge. Shall I take the pump apart and attempt to clean the (I assume) flapper valves there? When we pumped out, I went into the head and pumped the bejeebers out of it on wet bowl, thinking that there may be some foreign material stuck in the works somewhere that got sucked in via the water intake. I hope that that would clear it but don't know if it did or not, will find out next weekend.Suggestions?Next year is a new Raritan PH II. BTW will the PH II have the same footprint as the Jabsco?As usual, thanks Peggie!Tom M.

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

First thing I'd check is the tank vent

'Cuz it sounds like you're getting back pressure. If it's not the vent, it could be a clog or partial clog in the system between the head and the tank. If it's neither one, now might be a good time to go ahead and buy the PH II.I doubt that the mounting bolt pattern will match. However, even if they do, fill the holes and tap new ones so the lag bolts will get a good bite and keep your toilet from from wobbling. If no match presents a cosmetic problem, make a nice teak platform that covers the old ones to mount the new toilet on. Bolt or screw that down...don't cement it...'cuz it may have to be replaced if the next toilet's bolt pattern doesn't match the holes in it.

 

[david blocker]

spiting up

after replacing joker valve install avented loop at about 1 ft above waterline this back up is common when holding tank is above the head this solved my problem on hunter 30 cannot understand how previous owner lived with for almost 17 yrs

 

[Tom M.]

I have two

vents in the tank. I added one with a regular thru hull on the starboard side and the stock vent with the clamshell thru hull is on the port side. I have clear reinforced hose on the vent I installed and opaque white on the stock vent. I can visually check the one I installed, otherwise I guess I will just check for air flow between the two vents with a foot pump or something similar ,or disconnect one and blow through it. Also, David mentioned a vented loop, I assume he is referring to a loop in the line from the head to the tank. Is that a common practice? If my tank inlet is above the head discharge port, it is not very much higher. Also, the head has been fine all season till now.I'll check this weekend and post my findings.Thanks again.Tom M.

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Check the vent thru-hulls, Tom

That's the most likely place for a vent line blockage.