trouble pumping waste

T

TN Boatman

Member
Aug 31, 2017
44
Maryville, TN
Boat Info
1998 Sundancer SE
Engines
7.4MPI B3
Recently, I have been having trouble pumping out head. I can hear air/suction through vent tube but pump will not extract waste from tank. Could this be a valve issue? I have a 98 Dancer with vacu flush and Macerator. Never had issue before but seems like it will not create suction and pull gray water. I have even tried covering the vent and does not help.

What am I overlooking? Thanks in advance
 
I assume this pump out works for others? Should not be a valve problem.

At our pump out, I sometimes have to put the hose down in the water to prime it and then quickly move it to the deck plate.
 
Your post does not make it clear if you are trying empty the holding tank using the macerator or if you are using the pump out station at the marina.
 
JimG said:
I assume this pump out works for others? Should not be a valve problem.

At our pump out, I sometimes have to put the hose down in the water to prime it and then quickly move it to the deck plate.
Click to expand...
Yes, pump works fine and I do prime it too. Others are not having an issue.
 
Just a suggestion. Remove the waste cap and use a good household plunger the see if you can force the clog away from the bottom of the pick up tube. I believe there is also an RV/Marine chemical you can add to your holding tank that will break up solids at the bottom of the tank and get things "moving" again. :D
 
hottoddie said:
Just a suggestion. Remove the waste cap and use a good household plunger the see if you can force the clog away from the bottom of the pick up tube. I believe there is also an RV/Marine chemical you can add to your holding tank that will break up solids at the bottom of the tank and get things "moving" again. :D
Click to expand...

We have never had solids issues but a clog is certainally possible. Good thought will try that tomorrow!
 
I always pour a small 4 ounce bottle of blue toilet conditioner in the toilet after every pump out. Not for smell control, but for waist break down. Makes the pump out ultra smooth. One time my wife’s friend flushed down a face wipe,just one!!!!And it wrapped around the pump out pipe at the bottom of the tank. And I could not pump out. I had to hire an independent contractor to come down with a sewage ejection pump.He cranked up the suction power and out everything came into his clear tank., and there was the evidence! The blue chemical will eat toilet paper and solids, but not face wipes.All of this was after the toilet prep talk pre-board meeting. LOL
 
Also if your tank is not completely full, crank up the hose at the pump out and blast it down through the pump out hole.Then hook up the pump out vacuum and try again
 
Barlow1016 said:
I always pour a small 4 ounce bottle of blue toilet conditioner in the toilet after every pump out. Not for smell control, but for waist break down. Makes the pump out ultra smooth. One time my wife’s friend flushed down a face wipe,just one!!!!And it wrapped around the pump out pipe at the bottom of the tank. And I could not pump out. I had to hire an independent contractor to come down with a sewage ejection pump.He cranked up the suction power and out everything came into his clear tank., and there was the evidence! The blue chemical will eat toilet paper and solids, but not face wipes.All of this was after the toilet prep talk pre-board meeting. LOL
Click to expand...

I have to believe something simple. I use the dissolving pods a couple of times a year. The girls all use marine/RV paper and to my knowledge nothing else has been in as all users are also boaters. No wipes, tampons or other unfriendlys should be present. I’ll be digging in tomorrow
 
TN Boatman said:
I have to believe something simple. I use the dissolving pods a couple of times a year. The girls all use marine/RV paper and to my knowledge nothing else has been in as all users are also boaters. No wipes, tampons or other unfriendlys should be present. I’ll be digging in tomorrow
Click to expand...

treating the waste 'a couple times a year' may be your problem.....most members treat their waste tanks weekly.....one of the best treatments is Noflex digestor.....lots of archives post on this product if you are interested in learning.....once you get things straightened out you may want to consider going with Noflex on a regular basis.....

good luck....
cliff
 
Ran water down with no resistance. Can hear air sucking at side vents. Harbormaster suggested that the pick up tube from waste vacuum hose could have “fallen off” therefore not sucking from bottom. Makes sence. Can that happen? I will pull this weekend to see but certainally seem like a possibility.
 
Boatman, how full is your tank right now?If you’re monitoring gauge is not trustworthy you can get a very strong flashlight and put it on the side of the tank to get an idea of how full it is. The chances of that pick up tube coming off are pretty slim. They’re glued on. The challenge is going to be how to empty the tank so you can remove it. It’s going to be very hard trying to remove a take full of waste. Keep us posted.This will be a good one to have in the archive. Best of luck.
 
Barlow1016 said:
Boatman, how full is your tank right now?If you’re monitoring gauge is not trustworthy you can get a very strong flashlight and put it on the side of the tank to get an idea of how full it is. The chances of that pick up tube coming off are pretty slim. They’re glued on. The challenge is going to be how to empty the tank so you can remove it. It’s going to be very hard trying to remove a take full of waste. Keep us posted.This will be a good one to have in the archive. Best of luck.
Click to expand...

Tank is fairly full just by tapping on side. Thought of shining light today but did not have with me. I do not have guage for level and planned to pull the 90 elbow on top. There is only a few inches of clearance but will be able to see if tube is there.
Stay tuned.
 
I second the Noflex Digester! I've used it for years and I've never had any problems. If you haven't ever treated your tank, I would put some in via the pump out and through the toilet as well, assuming you have room! If you get this clog out, I would add a substantial amount of water along with some of the Noflex and leave it for a few days and then use it as normal. The pump out should be much easier!
 
What ended up being the problem with your holding tank?
 
Boatman I would guess on a ‘98 your pump out hose has developed a crack or a hole or came loose at the deck or tank fittings. Even a very small pin hole in the hose won’t allow a vacuum when pumping out.
 
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