Pump out not working.

[Frank Gigliotti]

Have a 2005 Searay 280 Sundancer and cannot get pump out to draw out waste. Also appears there’s a small leak from the bottom of toilet. Not sure if related.
Thanks Frank

 

[Sundancer]

You are talking about a vacuum pump through the deck fitting, right? Did you check your vent? Is it plugged? Is the carbon filter breathing or full of water? Those can make it so the suction can't pull anything through the main discharge. You MAY have to take the access port off to see if the discharge is still attached and not stuck to the bottom fo the tank. That's probably NOT the case, but you never know. A previous owner of my boat used part of a vacuum nozzle siliconed in the tank. It worked very well, but seem kind of mickey mouse. Fortunately, he cut some "V's" where the hard plastic hit the bottom of the tank so it would NOT suction itself to the tank. Once I cleared the carbon filter, I put his back because it had and continues to work really well!
'

 

[jmcdboater]

I know this MAY sound dumb, but Are you absolutely sure the waste has not been sucked out? If you have lights to let you know when it’s full, they can also be the issue…..

 

[Lazy Daze]

The two issues are unrelated.

The possible causes have all been addressed above, so need to repeat... except... VERIFY that the tank is full. Physically look. Use a flashlight right up against the side of the tank and move it up and down to find the level of effluent. In your boat, it's pretty easy to access the tank.

 

[Frank Gigliotti]

The system reads half full. There ls also an odor from the head venting into the cabin and to the stern.
When pumping out the attendant Added water prior to and seemed to only pump out that water, then nothing.

 

[Frank Gigliotti]

What is the seacock and how does lt lmpact the pumpout. The label in the head says to make sure seacock is open.

 

[Shaps]

Apologies, but I just have to ask. Are you at least 3 miles offshore when emptying your holding tank via the pump?

"Federal law says that untreated sewage (even if it's been dosed with a deodorant product) can NOT be discharged in inland or coastal waters. This means the sewage from a portable toilet or a Type III holding tank can not be discharged unless you are in the ocean more than 3 miles offshore."

 

[Lazy Daze]

The system reads half full. There ls also an odor from the head venting into the cabin and to the stern.
When pumping out the attendant Added water prior to and seemed to only pump out that water, then nothing.

Then that's likely all that's in there.

Start by doing what was suggested above and I reiterated in post #4.

 

[Lazy Daze]

What is the seacock and how does lt lmpact the pumpout. The label in the head says to make sure seacock is open.

You're confusing overboard pump-out with a regular pump-out (at the dock). They are two different things. Although under normal conditions it shouldn't matter, the seacock should be closed when doing a (dock) pump-out. ACTUALLY, it should ALREADY be closed (and the handle should be locked/removed) since having it open would be illegal under the conditions you're talking about.

 

[Frank Gigliotti]

Apologies, but I just have to ask. Are you at least 3 miles offshore when emptying your holding tank via the pump?

"Federal law says that untreated sewage (even if it's been dosed with a deodorant product) can NOT be discharged in inland or coastal waters. This means the sewage from a portable toilet or a Type III holding tank can not be discharged unless you are in the ocean more than 3 miles offshore."

Not emptying to the lake. Service is through a pump out.

 

[Frank Gigliotti]

You're confusing overboard pump-out with a regular pump-out (at the dock). They are two different things. Although under normal conditions it shouldn't matter, the seacock should be closed when doing a (dock) pump-out. ACTUALLY, it should ALREADY be closed (and the handle should be locked/removed) since having it open would be illegal under the conditions you're talking about.

Thank you for confirming what the seacock is used for. We do not use the Overboard option and have never moved the seacock levers.

 

[Frank Gigliotti]

You are talking about a vacuum pump through the deck fitting, right? Did you check your vent? Is it plugged? Is the carbon filter breathing or full of water? Those can make it so the suction can't pull anything through the main discharge. You MAY have to take the access port off to see if the discharge is still attached and not stuck to the bottom fo the tank. That's probably NOT the case, but you never know. A previous owner of my boat used part of a vacuum nozzle siliconed in the tank. It worked very well, but seem kind of mickey mouse. Fortunately, he cut some "V's" where the hard plastic hit the bottom of the tank so it would NOT suction itself to the tank. Once I cleared the carbon filter, I put his back because it had and continues to work really well!
'

The pump is vacuum type. Where do I check the vents and carbon filter?

 

[BillK2632]

Your probably getting all that you can out and your gauge is just not working correctly. It's a good practice when pump ing the tank:
1. Pump it empty (this get's the stuff out)
2. Fill it at least half full with fresh water (that's what that freshwater hose if for, it's NOT to fill your water tank)
3. Pump it again.
4. At least once a year, pump it, fill half with water, add a little dishwashing soap and then go for a ride. This will clean things up along with your tank monitor.

You probably have a vacuflush which uses freshwater from your water tank to flush -- in this case unless you are pumping overboard (in an approved area) then the seacock for the overboard discharged should bel closed. It's possible that you have a second seacock that pulls flush water from the lake, ocean whatever. But most vacuflush systems use the fresh water tank.

Regarding the smell - there is a carbon filter in-line with your holding tank vent. It needs to be changed periodically and especially if the tank has been allowed to over fill and spill through the vent. Also make sure your vent is clear. Another source of smell is a permeated waste line - the line that runs from the head to the holding tank. As they age they can permeate the smell through them -- wrap a wet towel around the hose, smell it. If there is a sewer odor the line is old and permeated and should be replaced. A likely thing on a 20yr old boat.
Another good practice is to make sure you flush the head thoroughly and at the end of each day flush a full bowl of freshwater down, with an occasionally cup of white vinegar also helps. This keeps sewage from sitting in your discharge line which eventually permeates it.

 

[Carboy]

This might not be your issue, but last weekend the dockside pump out was struggling to empty my tank (1/2 full). I removed the "dip tube" from the holding tank and ran a hanger down the tube only to find out it hit "something" before the hanger would have reached the bottom of the tank. Long story short the dip tube was clogged with what looked like brillo pads. Turned out to be hair matted with "waste". Prior owner had daughters and I can only guess when they combed their hair they put any loose hair down the head. After several years it became a mass of goo. I was able to fish out several large gobs and now the pump out works better than ever. Shi**y job for sure!

 

[Frank Gigliotti]

Added dishwashing soap went to another pump out location and out worked. Thanks to all.

Have a leak coming from the fresh water feed on the side of toilet. Any advice on how to repair?

 

[spikedaddy99]

Regarding pump out: It could have been the station you were at and unrelated to your boat. Our marina had a cracked suction hose.

Regarding freshwater feed on the side of your toilet, it could be a loose fitting or hose. For me, it was the vacuum breaker on the rear of the toilet. You are gonna have to take it apart to find where it is coming from. It isn't a hard job.

 

[mrsrobinson]

And get that dish soap out as soon as you can in my opinion, you don't want that screwing up how you're holding tank functions.

 

[Almightys]

This might not be your issue, but last weekend the dockside pump out was struggling to empty my tank (1/2 full). I removed the "dip tube" from the holding tank and ran a hanger down the tube only to find out it hit "something" before the hanger would have reached the bottom of the tank. Long story short the dip tube was clogged with what looked like brillo pads. Turned out to be hair matted with "waste". Prior owner had daughters and I can only guess when they combed their hair they put any loose hair down the head. After several years it became a mass of goo. I was able to fish out several large gobs and now the pump out works better than ever. Shi**y job for sure!

Omg I think I’m going to be sick. That had to smell nasty

 

[bigorangefilter]

Have a 2005 Searay 280 Sundancer and cannot get pump out to draw out waste. Also appears there’s a small leak from the bottom of toilet. Not sure if related.
Thanks Frank

Greetings, my friend! I recommend giving the big orange filter a try. Not only will it effectively eliminate false smells, but it also boasts the largest capacity container, easing your worries for over a year. Moreover, this sustainable solution is free from any harmful chemicals. Give it a shot and enjoy a fresh and worry-free environment!

 

[Nater Potater]

Omg I think I’m going to be sick. That had to smell nasty