VacuFlush - Perpetual Clogging

THJeff

THJeff

Active Member
Jan 4, 2012
278
Lake St.Clair - Michigan
Boat Info
2000 410 Sundancer
Engines
CAT 3126 Diesels
I know there are hundreds of threads here on VacuFlush issues and I do read most of them as they are posted because I'm always looking for tips on this common cause of boating angst. But I thought I'd post my specific problem to see if anyone has some tips for me.

The problem is with my forward head in my 2000 410DA. This will be the third season having this boat and the issues with this particular head have increased each year. The first season, we only had a couple clogging instances and I pretty much chalked it up to my wife using too much toilet paper (marine of course). Last year it happened much more frequently as the season went on so we got to the point of only using this head for #1 with small amounts of toilet paper and using the aft head for more "heavy duty" personal needs. When it plugs up, no suction is generated and the water obviously accumulates the more we try to flush (if we have the water pump on). The vacuum pump runs continuously until I'm able to unplug it (or until I turn the breaker off). Unplugging it involves a great deal of time and effort with a plunger with the water pump turned off. Sometimes I'm unsuccessful with plunging right after it happens, so I let it sit during the week, try again the following weekend and usually I can get it unplugged with more plunging elbow grease. Well, this past weekend we go out for the first time and my wife has my little two year-old son go #2 with a small amount of marine toilet paper used. It didn't plug immediately; we actually used it 3-4 times after for #1 and it ended up plugging then. It seems to me like there could be something stopping it up in the line along the way to the holding tank. The head is near the front of the boat and the tank is all the way in the back so this line is probably close to 35 feet, compared to the aft head where the line to the tank is much shorter. I am only the second owner of this boat. The first was a lady who hired a captain to drive it only occasionally (boat had < 400 hours in its first 12 seasons), so my thought is that the head systems have never had any maintenance done to them.

Given my description as to what is happening, can anyone give me a good starting point on where to diagnose what is causing the problem and how to properly repair it? Thanks.
 
I would bet the hose back to the tank is gunked up somewhere. I would probably try to replace it, or alternatively, pull the toilet to get access to the hose and run a mini-snake through it to hopefully clear out the blockage. Might also check for anywhere that the hose may be crimped closed or something resting on it.
 
Possibly you are not building enough vacuum. Its enough to pull from the back head, but not the front. There is a vacuum tester available. Another thought, might be snake the line form the front head to where the 2 heads come together. There still could be some sort of partial blockage that stops the STUFF from passing properly.
 
I would be willing to bet that you have some hard brittle duckbill valves that are leaking thus preventing you from building up adequate vacuum.........a clog has padded duckbill #1 and has gotten wound up on the bellows which also causes a leak on the push and pull stroke.

My advice would be to flush the system thoroughly with fresh water and a little dishwashing soap, then turn off the pump breaker and remove the vacuum pump from the boat and tear it apart on a bench where you can see what is going on. These pumps are nearly bullet proof, except for the duckbill valves which are really a wear item. You can probably clean up the bellows and seals but you should go head and replace all the duckbill valves while it is apart.

To give you a frame of reference, a vacuflush head is usually strong enough to flush a baseball........you should not be having the problems you describe. Thankfully, the system is simple and easy to work on.
 
Not trying to gross anyone out but I agree with Frank 100%. Here's a set of my duck bills after about three years...



I don't know why I get these hard buildups but you probably do too. This stuff breaks off and gets stuck in the duck bills and the bellows. Its a simple clean up (although not pleasant).
 
Or some Noflex Digestor. My sanitary lines were clogged with a shell like material left over from the PO. It seems they used regular paper and didn't flush enough water after the paper (and other things). I replaced the hose and it has worked great ever since. If you attempt this, PM me and I will give you some helpful hints.
 
Ken,

The controlling vendor wants $19.50 to ship a quart of that stuff costing $18.00 ...........I think vinegar is a more cost effective approach.
 
I'm not sure if the 410 has the same setup as the 400, but my port (fwd) head has a vacuum accumulator tank in the salon hold. Over the years, that hard build-up / crystallization caused paper to get caught in the accumulator and periodically clog the system. My mechanic recommended the vinegar treatment, and that has worked for years. I pour it in with the pump off though. I soaked a massaging shower head in vinegar once, and it destroyed the rubber seals, so I avoid letting the duckbills soak in vinegar (but maybe they're more robust than the shower head?).
 
White Vinegar huh. I have become a self proclaimed vacuflush expert as I have had to work on mine a lot a few months ago. Clogs are a part of live with these systems and 80% of the time a long screw driver unclogs the 1" hole of paper. In those other times when someone (me) takes a big #2 it would clog. I have learned to flush the turd first, then wipe and flush again with lots of water. If it cloggs I would let the pump run and at the same time use one of these from Wal-Mart:


0007711550003_180X180.jpg




As Frank has stated the duckbills may be sticking, but I don't have to remove my pump to replace them. There are 4 on the pump. As you have 2 heads, just above the "Y" where the two systems join there may also be a duckbill in the line. If the system is shutting off after it pumps, then your vacuum is pump is OK. The vacuum tank has a factory set switch (don't screw with it or you will have to buy another one) that tells the pump to shut down. It may also just be a clogged line after years of use. If the hose is hard and brittle, then it is time to replace the hoses. Hint: Hire someone to do it!
 
fwebster said:
Ken,

The controlling vendor wants $19.50 to ship a quart of that stuff costing $18.00 ...........I think vinegar is a more cost effective approach.
Click to expand...
I
never paid that much freight. I now have a local resource so I pick it up locally. Vinegar is good to, I use it for my sump.
 
What exactly is the theory behind the vinegar???
 
You guys sound like you're working too hard to clear your vacuflush toilets. What you need to do is pick up one of those cheap "Blaster" squirt guns--the type where you load it by pulling the handle back and sucking in water. Use it to empty the toilet bowl and gently squirt the contents into a pail. (Turn off the head and water pump before you do that) Once the liquid is out of the bowl you can see the small (1" diameter) hole at the bottom. That's often where the glob of toilet paper is plugging things up. To remove it, get a large cooking spoon from the galley and just wipe away the glob.

That will usually free up the system. Then you can turn on the head breaker and the water pump breaker. Pour the contents of the bucket into the head and flush them, followed by lots of fresh water.
 
Gofirstclass said:
You guys sound like you're working too hard to clear your vacuflush toilets. What you need to do is pick up one of those cheap "Blaster" squirt guns--the type where you load it by pulling the handle back and sucking in water. Use it to empty the toilet bowl and gently squirt the contents into a pail. (Turn off the head and water pump before you do that) Once the liquid is out of the bowl you can see the small (1" diameter) hole at the bottom. That's often where the glob of toilet paper is plugging things up. To remove it, get a large cooking spoon from the galley and just wipe away the glob.

That will usually free up the system. Then you can turn on the head breaker and the water pump breaker. Pour the contents of the bucket into the head and flush them, followed by lots of fresh water.
Click to expand...

Yes, I've read about this technique in other threads but there's nothing clogging the small hole. That's why I think my issue is farther on down the line...
 
Last edited:
Gofirstclass said:
To remove it, get a large cooking spoon from the galley and just wipe away the glob.
Click to expand...

So did anyone else make a mental note that if we're ever invited aboard the Beachcomber, to make sure we bring our own spoons?
 
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