'78 CD30: Through last season (Michigan), I experienced a slow seepage of liquid waste from (presumably) the bottom of holding tank, along the bottom of the trapezoidal locker at the sole of the vee-berth, then under the vee-berth sole, over the lip of the head's shower-basin, and then through that drain hole into the bilge. At first I thought it was a result of an overfull holding tank (which happened once in the spring), but it continued to leak through the season with even a 1/4-full tank. As you can imagine, there's quite the "bouquet" waiting for me when I open the companionway after a nice hot summer week (hoy!!).
Questions: 1) Has anyone else experienced this problem?; 2) Has anyone had their 30's (or similar) holding tank out, such that they know the architecture down there?; 3) Might there be a simple loose hose clamp I need to address?; 4) Is there anything more to removing the tank than taking out the big vee-berth triangular board over it?
Any advice will help me keep from banning my crew from use of the head, which would surely result in mutiny.
Thanks! (said nasally, with clothespin on nose...)
Brainstorm@Unidial.com
Phew! Help, I think I have a holding tank leak!
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Ed Haley
Re: Phew! Help, I think I have a holding tank leak!
I experienced an odor problem at one time on my CD28 but the problem was resolved by adding an air vent to the outside to the anti-siphon valve. However, in checking for liquid leaks I did remove both vee-berth panels (no problem) and removed the holding tank. As long as there is some play in the hoses, the tank can be removed from the vee-berth rather easily and checked for leakage by pressurizing the tank with a shopvac and do a soap bubble test. Do the same for the hoses. As far as the odors from the liquid that already spilled, use a clorox-water mixture (1-10) amd flush under the floorboards. That and a lot of time should help reduce the odor.
eghaley@dreamscape.com
eghaley@dreamscape.com
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Ed Haley
Re: Phew! Help, I think I have a holding tank leak!
I experienced an odor problem at one time on my CD28 but the problem was resolved by adding an air vent to the outside to the anti-siphon valve. However, in checking for liquid leaks I did remove both vee-berth panels (no problem) and removed the holding tank. As long as there is some play in the hoses, the tank can be removed from the vee-berth rather easily and checked for leakage by pressurizing the tank with a shopvac and do a soap bubble test. Do the same for the hoses. As far as the odors from the liquid that already spilled, use a clorox-water mixture (1-10) amd flush under the floorboards. That and a lot of time should help reduce the odor.
eghaley@dreamscape.com
eghaley@dreamscape.com
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Pete Zwiefelhofer
Re: Phew! Help, I think I have a holding tank leak!
Yes, I had this problem too, with my 1980 CD30 cutter. I also initially though the problem was over filing the tank. I didn't discover the REAL problem until the hose from the head to the holding tank completely separated from the holding tank. The seal was leaking for a while before the hose completely come off. On my boat the hose/tank connection was by glue only. Now its glued and screwed on as well. Problem solved.
Note that the hose is secured to the holding tank on the side of the tank. I image wave action will slosh waste up to this connection even when the tank is far from full. At least that was unfortunately the case in my situation.
pete@zwiefelhofer.com
Note that the hose is secured to the holding tank on the side of the tank. I image wave action will slosh waste up to this connection even when the tank is far from full. At least that was unfortunately the case in my situation.
pete@zwiefelhofer.com
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D. Stump, Hanalei
Re: Phew! Help, I think I have a holding tank leak!
Geoff,
As it turns out, Maggie Sheppard, 1st. Mate of Dolphin III, an '80 CD-30 works in the next office over from mine. Hanalei '84 has an aft waste holding tank, but Dolphin III has the same arrangement as yours. Maggie says that it is easy to remove the plywood panels in the "V" berth, and the tank is right there. Drain as much as you can before doing this, remove the tank, take it to a car wash, and clean throughly(you got it out, might as well start clean) and then check it for leaks as described earlier. If the tank is okay, before you re-install it, change the hose from the outlet to the thru hull. That hose is most likely your problem! In fact, if you have gone through all this, change every hose you can reach. 20 year old hoses will STINK, no matter what you do (and they get weak). Finally, make sure the tank vent line is CLEAR!(check the vent at the thru hull). If the tank is not vented, you can generate an incredible amount of hydraulic force with the small head hand pump that can actually force the hoses off of the tank (I had this happen on Hanalei). Hope all this helps, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
David Stump
Captain Commanding
Hanalei
As it turns out, Maggie Sheppard, 1st. Mate of Dolphin III, an '80 CD-30 works in the next office over from mine. Hanalei '84 has an aft waste holding tank, but Dolphin III has the same arrangement as yours. Maggie says that it is easy to remove the plywood panels in the "V" berth, and the tank is right there. Drain as much as you can before doing this, remove the tank, take it to a car wash, and clean throughly(you got it out, might as well start clean) and then check it for leaks as described earlier. If the tank is okay, before you re-install it, change the hose from the outlet to the thru hull. That hose is most likely your problem! In fact, if you have gone through all this, change every hose you can reach. 20 year old hoses will STINK, no matter what you do (and they get weak). Finally, make sure the tank vent line is CLEAR!(check the vent at the thru hull). If the tank is not vented, you can generate an incredible amount of hydraulic force with the small head hand pump that can actually force the hoses off of the tank (I had this happen on Hanalei). Hope all this helps, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
David Stump
Captain Commanding
Hanalei
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Richard Kinsman
Re: Phew! Help, I think I have a holding tank leak!
Seen some interesting responses to 'holding tank' fragrances, maybe you can help on two scores:
1. Removed the holding tank from my 28' CD FB cruiser. Water test...no leaks. Now in winter storage, and have not reinstalled, yet below V berth still has odors despite some cleaning. No sign of leakage anywhere. Hoses may be 10 yrs old and worth replacing? Perhaps the 10/1 watrer/clorox solution will work?
2. Does my holding tank have the right configuration? This is a tank that can be emptied at dockside thru the anchor locker or by me offshore using manual pump with overboard discharge. The two outlets are on the top of the tank only, and the pipe outlet for the discharge does not extend to the bottom of the tank. In fact, it hardly extends down 1" from the top inside surface. As a result, I don't think I am ever able to empty more than the top 1/3 of the tank.
Any ideas would be helpful.
I have thought of replacing the front box panel securing the 19 gal opaque holding tank
with plexiglass so that, if needed, I'd have a better idea of fluid level in the tank.
Kinship1@webtv.net
1. Removed the holding tank from my 28' CD FB cruiser. Water test...no leaks. Now in winter storage, and have not reinstalled, yet below V berth still has odors despite some cleaning. No sign of leakage anywhere. Hoses may be 10 yrs old and worth replacing? Perhaps the 10/1 watrer/clorox solution will work?
2. Does my holding tank have the right configuration? This is a tank that can be emptied at dockside thru the anchor locker or by me offshore using manual pump with overboard discharge. The two outlets are on the top of the tank only, and the pipe outlet for the discharge does not extend to the bottom of the tank. In fact, it hardly extends down 1" from the top inside surface. As a result, I don't think I am ever able to empty more than the top 1/3 of the tank.
Any ideas would be helpful.
I have thought of replacing the front box panel securing the 19 gal opaque holding tank
with plexiglass so that, if needed, I'd have a better idea of fluid level in the tank.
Kinship1@webtv.net
-
Richard Kinsman
Re: Phew! Help, I think I have a holding tank leak!
Seen some interesting responses to 'holding tank' fragrances, maybe you can help on two scores:
1. Removed the holding tank from my 28' CD FB cruiser. Water test...no leaks. Now in winter storage, and have not reinstalled, yet below V berth still has odors despite some cleaning. No sign of leakage anywhere. Hoses may be 10 yrs old and worth replacing? Perhaps the 10/1 watrer/clorox solution will work?
2. Does my holding tank have the right configuration? This is a tank that can be emptied at dockside thru the anchor locker or by me offshore using manual pump with overboard discharge. The two outlets are on the top of the tank only, and the pipe outlet for the discharge does not extend to the bottom of the tank. In fact, it hardly extends down 1" from the top inside surface. As a result, I don't think I am ever able to empty more than the top 1/3 of the tank.
Any ideas would be helpful.
I have thought of replacing the front box panel securing the 19 gal opaque holding tank
with plexiglass so that, if needed, I'd have a better idea of fluid level in the tank.
Kinship1@webtv.net
1. Removed the holding tank from my 28' CD FB cruiser. Water test...no leaks. Now in winter storage, and have not reinstalled, yet below V berth still has odors despite some cleaning. No sign of leakage anywhere. Hoses may be 10 yrs old and worth replacing? Perhaps the 10/1 watrer/clorox solution will work?
2. Does my holding tank have the right configuration? This is a tank that can be emptied at dockside thru the anchor locker or by me offshore using manual pump with overboard discharge. The two outlets are on the top of the tank only, and the pipe outlet for the discharge does not extend to the bottom of the tank. In fact, it hardly extends down 1" from the top inside surface. As a result, I don't think I am ever able to empty more than the top 1/3 of the tank.
Any ideas would be helpful.
I have thought of replacing the front box panel securing the 19 gal opaque holding tank
with plexiglass so that, if needed, I'd have a better idea of fluid level in the tank.
Kinship1@webtv.net
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remove the screen
tank vent
Holding tank vents are the same vents used for fuel tanks. The vent has a safety screen inside. When you use the vent for a holding tank you should remove the screen from inside the vent to prevent blockage.
jdhunter@wt.net
jdhunter@wt.net