Vacuflush

Captn TJ

Active Member
Sep 19, 2017
872
Catawba Island, Oh
Boat Info
2005 280DA
Raymarine E80
Engines
5.0 with Bravo 3
When I turn on the key the vacuum runs continuously. I did change out all 4 duckbill valves earlier this year and right after I did the vacuum pump ran for a minute and then stopped. We haven't used the head at all.
 
The cheapest thing to check next is the seal at the bottom of the bowl. Make sure it is very clean and then put a small amount of Vaseline on it. Add some water to the bowl and see if the pump stops running after 20-30 seconds. Read your manual before you start throwing parts at it, after you do this simple check.
 
Just went through this on my boat. Don’t use Vaseline...petroleum will degrade the seals.

I would bet on the ball seals or the shaft seals. Might as well replace both while you are there. There is a seal between the riser and funnel, and I replaced that too. Order a tube of silicone grease (a couple bucks from dometic). Silicone can be used on a lot of other seals on the boat.

$100 for all and maybe an hour of you time.
 
Another easy and free check is to isolate the pump to see if the air leak is there or upstream. Remove the hose that comes from the head from the pump inlet, then seal off the inlet (holding your hand over it will work). Turn on the system then see if the pump creates and holds a vacuum. If it doesn't then there is a problem with the pump assembly. If it does then it is probably the head or the hoses. There have been lots of complaints about bad sanitation hoses in mid-2000's Sea Rays, I have had to replace mine in both units.
 
The cheapest thing to check next is the seal at the bottom of the bowl. Make sure it is very clean and then put a small amount of Vaseline on it. Add some water to the bowl and see if the pump stops running after 20-30 seconds. Read your manual before you start throwing parts at it, after you do this simple check.
We have a winner. I didn't bother checking it just ordered the seal and put it in. After about 15 sec the vacuum pump stopped so good to go.
 

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