25D "HEAD"ache

[Jim Westpfahl]

We purchased our 25D last November-the end of the sailing season here on Long Island, NY. Launched her during Memorial Day weekend. Haven't used head but 2-3 times. Today, pumping the head did nothing to empty the contents into the holding tank. I surmised that the holding tank is full. My attempts to empty the holding tank at Pump Out station were fruitless (so to speak). Questions: 1. Does the Y-valve lever have to be in a particular direction? 2. Does the thru-hull in the aft end have to remain closed during pump out? 3. Is removing the 3" inspection port on the top of the tank in front of the engine the only way to determing degree of fullness? 4. Could the cockpit waste pump out line be clogged and does one clear is with a plumpers snake, pressure, or chemicals? And lastly.. 5. Is this a common problem?
Jim



JamesW7644@AOL.COM

[Bob Luby]

I hesitate to answer because your boat may be different from mine, but here goes:

1. Does the Y-valve lever have to be in a particular direction?

I don't think so.

2. Does the thru-hull in the aft end have to remain closed during pump out?

If your thru-hull connects with the tank, I'd close it to prevent sea water from being sucked into the tank when its pumped.

3. Is removing the 3" inspection port on the top of the tank in front of the engine the only way to determing degree of fullness?

Yes- there is a commercial holding tank level gauge you can buy, however without that I guess you have to look.

4. Could the cockpit waste pump out line be clogged and does one clear is with a plumpers snake, pressure, or chemicals?

This sounds likely. go ahead and use a coat hanger first.

5. Is this a common problem?

Don't know. remember, the tanks are small to begin with. Don't over flush. If you (or yours) are overflushing, that may be the cause of the problem.



Rluby@aol.com

[Chris Cram]

If I may add a bit to this.

As for pumping the head----I would put the Y valve in the holding tank position (i.e. drawing from the toilet), then put the toilet lever in the "pump dry" position creating a draw thru the whole sewage system and a source for air once the tank is dry.

With the Y valve in the seacock position and a blockage in the vent line there would not be a venting source during the draw from the pump.

Chris Cram
CD 30 C



cccobx@prodigy.net

[Don Sargeant]

Jim,
It sounds to me like clogs here and there. There is a vent on the transom which, if it's not clogged, will squirt when the head is pumped and the tank is full. Most pumpout stations should have enough "suck" to clear a clog in the pumpoup line. What is this thru-hull in the aft end you mentioned? Coquina doesn't have one. Y-valves are not all the same insofar as where the handle is pointing. My old one pointed to the open valve, the new one points to the closed position.
If the pumpout line is straight, the coat hanger is a good idea. You could also sound the tank with a length of wood to see how full it is,if that's the case. If the line isn't straight, use a snake.

You may simply have lost pressure in the pump on the toilet. I had a head on the old boat that had a mild steel snap ring on the pump leather as original equipment. The snap ring rusted and the pumping ceased. A SS ring fixed the problem.

Don Sargeant
~~COQUINA~~
CD25D #189
Greenwich Cove

We purchased our 25D last November-the end of the sailing season here on Long Island, NY. Launched her during Memorial Day weekend. Haven't used head but 2-3 times. Today, pumping the head did nothing to empty the contents into the holding tank. I surmised that the holding tank is full. My attempts to empty the holding tank at Pump Out station were fruitless (so to speak). Questions: 1. Does the Y-valve lever have to be in a particular direction? 2. Does the thru-hull in the aft end have to remain closed during pump out? 3. Is removing the 3" inspection port on the top of the tank in front of the engine the only way to determing degree of fullness? 4. Could the cockpit waste pump out line be clogged and does one clear is with a plumpers snake, pressure, or chemicals? And lastly.. 5. Is this a common problem?
Jim

[D. Stump, Hanalei]

Jim,

Check the holding tank vent line. If it is plugged, the pumpout boat can suck on that tank all day long and nothing will appear. Actually if you look at the fitting that the pump boat sticks into your tank, you will see a clear section, that is so the operator can tell if he is really emptying your tank or pulling so much vacuum on it that it will collapse the tank! Also, did you notice any difficulty in flushing the head before you thought the tank was full? If so, again the vent line is probably the problem. Also check the vent fitting you can see from outside the hull, it is bronze and will corrode, causing a plug. I think it would be easier replacing the whole vent hose than trying to unplug it. If someone overfilled the tank, it is possible that they pumped 6 inches of paper and stuff into the vent line, and that is "stinky" to remove. FWIW...

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei

[Jim Most Grateful Westpfa]

Cannot thank you all enough for your thoughtful suggestions. I printed all of them and went out to the boat to experiment. Actually, your comments and suggestions coupled with just plain messin' around provided me with a fairly complete survey of the "sanitary" system of my 25D. I now believe the problem was in that the thu-hull valve for dumping while at sea was inadvertinly left open when he returned to LI from MA. My attempts at emptying the tank at the pump-out site only allowed me to suck in sea water via the close proximity of the outside NACL-H2O and not the contents of the holding tank. Close the valve, open the Y-valve correctly and golly-gee the pumper pumps out. I also took a block of wood and tapped open the 3" inspection port atop the storage tank. More capacity than I envisioned. I did survey the vent and found I did remove the rag I stuffed in along with the same for the vent for the fuel. ( I thought maybe I dun forgot).
Again, thank you all for your assistance.
Jim



JamesW7644@AOL.COM

[S Head]

Ya know this board is incredible... you can learn a lot sh_t here:-)

[S Head]

Ya know this board is incredible... you can learn a lot sh_t here:-)