Chasing down a slow Vacuflush leak, what to check next

M

mrsrobinson

Well-Known Member
Mar 9, 2006
7,704
Virginia
Boat Info
2001 380DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126
The boat has had a Vacuflush leak of some kind for the 2 season/years I have owned it. I had it looked at, and worked on, in Kent Island, MD, before I brought it home. The Vacuflush cycles for about 10 seconds every hour or so. The duck bills were replaced then, same issue. The seal at the base of the toilet was replaced then, same issue. Local service guy looked at it and said given how slow the leak is, and it's difficult to wait for it to cycle again, try this, try that, he suggested replacing the sanitation line. I have replaced one of those before in a previous boat, I'd like to know what else to check before I go that route.

It's not a big deal, more of a nuisance especially when sleeping in the aft area, next to the engine compartment. It has not gotten any worse over 2 years/seasons. The bowl holds water. I think, emphasis on think, I can hear hissing when in the head and near the toilet.

I found this: https://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/vacuflush-vacuum-leak.79273/ and thought about ordering the kit and "throwing more parts at it". Is that the next step?

Also, I forgot to check "what I have" the last time I was on the boat, so I checked here: https://manualzz.com/doc/23601617/sea-ray-2001-380-sundancer-parts-manual pages 33 & 34, I do not see a make and model though.




Thanks
 
There's guys on here that know much more crap than I do ;) But I would start with narrowing things down. Meaning, using a vacuum gauge to first figure out if the leak is at the vac end or further upstream. Rather than trying to explain it, take a look at the link below. You'll need the tester and a 1-1/2" rubber plug. Note the supplier (Aqua Star) - they used to be called Northeast Sanitation and they are an excellent company to deal with.

https://www.aquastardistributors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Tester-Instructions.pdf
 
Lazy Daze said:
There's guys on here that know much more crap than I do ;) But I would start with narrowing things down. Meaning, using a vacuum gauge to first figure out if the leak is at the vac end or further upstream. Rather than trying to explain it, take a look at the link below. You'll need the tester and a 1-1/2" rubber plug. Note the supplier (Aqua Star) - they used to be called Northeast Sanitation and they are an excellent company to deal with.

https://www.aquastardistributors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Tester-Instructions.pdf
Click to expand...
Thanks, I asked the service guy if there was a gauge he could test with, he said no. This helps, thanks. I was actually on their website earlier watching a how to video, to rebuild the toilet. Good site/videos.
 
mrsrobinson said:
Thanks, I asked the service guy if there was a gauge he could test with, he said no. This helps, thanks. I was actually on their website earlier watching a how to video, to rebuild the toilet. Good site/videos.
Click to expand...
Get that tool and you'll become the most popular guy on your dock - you could be the resident expert at... ummm... well you can fill in the last part :)
 
Or the vacuum switch, or the doughnut that holds the intake hose 90 degree elbow into the vacuum tank.
 
mrsrobinson said:
Thanks, I asked the service guy if there was a gauge he could test with, he said no. This helps, thanks. I was actually on their website earlier watching a how to video, to rebuild the toilet. Good site/videos.
Click to expand...

Greg,

I have a test gauge you can borrow. Actually, it is on my boat at the marina.

If I had to bet.....it would be either the O-rings on the pump (the small O ring is frequently not replaced which causes a small leak over time) or the shaft seals on the head itself.

The way to test the system is to check it first at the head and get a baseline for the vacuum loss. Then you need to check the vacuum at the pump. If the pump holds and does not leak down then the problem is between the pump and the head.

Let me know if you want to borrow the gauge.
 
PlayDate said:
Greg,

I have a test gauge you can borrow. Actually, it is on my boat at the marina.

If I had to bet.....it would be either the O-rings on the pump (the small O ring is frequently not replaced which causes a small leak over time) or the shaft seals on the head itself.

The way to test the system is to check it first at the head and get a baseline for the vacuum loss. Then you need to check the vacuum at the pump. If the pump holds and does not leak down then the problem is between the pump and the head.

Let me know if you want to borrow the gauge.
Click to expand...
The reason I said shaft seals is because he said he could hear hissing in the head. I definitely agree that proper testing is always the best first step.
 
I "think" I hear hissing. I'm old, going deaf, here all kinds of things now, so who knows. I need to remember to listen with the vacuush off and the vacuum flush on and see if I hear it.
 
For clarity, and my education, "shaft seal" is the 2 o-rings around the brass shaft in this pic, or something else?

1697732160889.png
 
Thanks, I'd like to purchase these parts to take with me to the boat the next time I go, as it's looks to be a "fairly easy" replacement, and probably needs to be done regardless. I checked the parts manual, no information provided: Does anyone know which make/model head my boat has?
 
mrsrobinson said:
Thanks, I'd like to purchase these parts to take with me to the boat the next time I go, as it's looks to be a "fairly easy" replacement, and probably needs to be done regardless. I checked the parts manual, no information provided: Does anyone know which make/model head my boat has?
Click to expand...

These are the guys I use.

https://www.aquastardistributors.com/

Very responsive. I believe your unit is the non-Eco version which has a different diameter ball. https://www.aquastardistributors.com/product/vacuflush-traveler-toilet-ball-shaft-cartridge-kit/

If you send Jay an email at: Jay Rapisarda <jay@aquastarus.com> he should be able to confirm it.
 
PlayDate said:
These are the guys I use.

https://www.aquastardistributors.com/

Very responsive. I believe your unit is the non-Eco version which has a different diameter ball. https://www.aquastardistributors.com/product/vacuflush-traveler-toilet-ball-shaft-cartridge-kit/

If you send Jay an email at: Jay Rapisarda <jay@aquastarus.com> he should be able to confirm it.
Click to expand...
I chatted with Jay, thanks. He agrees next step is the shaft seals and suggested I purchase the kit. I need to validate which model toilet I have.
 
I had the shaft seals leaking once. As stated above, got my wife to put her ear to it and she could hear the hissing. Simple change out. Make sure to lube the two o-rings well with silicone grease.

Bennett
 
I'm with Mitch on this. They are just "O" rings. Take one out and bring it to the hardware store.
 
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