Vacuflush problem please help!

[Benjamin Gray]

Hey all had a sh*tty situation on our 2002 340 this morning. We slept on it last night with no issues. Woke up this morning and Wife used and flushed the head once, heard the pump build vacuum then shut off (took the usual 45 seconds or so) and 5 Minutes later it was my turn. I did my thing and gave a courtesy flush with good vacuum at which point no pump and no vacuum out of the blue. Yikes! not good. We proceeded to cycle everything off and on, the panel showed “power” but no empty, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 or full indicators illuminated. We float over to the pump out and pulled a considerable amount of waste, when finished both the power and empty lights were illuminated, however the pump would not run to create vacuum no matter what we did. Any ideas? I’m a bit surprised that it would just die with no warning but hey anything is possible. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. TIA!

 

[markrsimon]

The vacuum generator (the pump) is controlled by (a) the breaker/switch which turns the system on/off, and (b) the vacuum limit switch. If you’ve already cycled the power switch then I see two potential issues.

First, you could have a clog. If the line from the toilet to the vacuum tank is clogged - the system may indeed currently have sufficient vacuum, and the vacuum limit switch has turned the pump off. Given the clog - nothing will leave the toiled when you hit the petal.

Next option is some ‘stuff’ has clogged up the limit switch, causing the system to think it has enough vacuum built up already.

And finally I guess the motor on the vacuum generator could have died.

If you can get to the limit switch, you can jumper the two terminals and see if your pump starts pumping. Only do this for a second or two - considering we dont know if you have enough vacuum already - and dont want to over vacuum the system.

If you think you have a clog - well, some have tried using garden hose and push water into the bottom of the toilet. Other have used wet dry vacs on either the toilet end or the vacuum generator end.

Depending on how you have used your toilet - what type of paper, how much paper - it may just be a good clog. I would think after awhile - maybe hours - the clog would slowly leak some air - and eventually the pump would run briefly again. So - you could turn the system off - wait awhile (hours/days) then turn it on and see if it starts pumping. Then start figuring out how to clear your clog.

 

[Benjamin Gray]

Thank you so much for the info. I will return to the boat Saturday with my trusty tools and an open mind. Thanks again!

 

[DougLas]

Go to pump out stick the hose into the toilet with pedal open to suck out any clog.

 

[Jeremygavin]

When that happens To Me I put some water into the bowl and then Wait a while for the clog to soften. Then I use a plunger and push the clog down the line. Don’t try to suck it back with the plunger as you risk reversing the duckbills.

 

[markrsimon]

One additional note - normally the opening at the bottom of the toilet is smaller than the line itself - so thats where a clog can occur. Turn your water off. Press the foot pedal and look down. If needed, by a $1 set of plastic food flipper tongs and start pulling stuff out.

 

[Kwik]

tI second Markrsimon on this. I fought for a couple weeks with the exact same problem. The systems did still have vacuum and that is why it wouldn't pump. I found a clog in the bottom of the stool. It is only about an inch in diameter. The hose is 1-1/2, I believe. Likely stuck right there in the commode below the vacuum cup.

 

[gerryb]

You have clog somewhere - most likely problem. Could be in your duck bill valves up to your toilet.

 

[Blueone]

I had to use a plunger the other day....worked well

 

[Steve S]

I have successfully used one of these on my 340. I also put a garden hose valve in line right before this unit. Turned on the head system, Stepped on the pedal, turned on the water for a few seconds after the rubber section expanded, clog was gone.

 

[DWABoat]

Question about forcing air or water into the system as in a hose or plunger: If the system has a normal vacuum past the clog, and we shove higher pressure before the clog and over-pressurize the remainder of the system, can we cause damage? Should we take the pump-out cap off first to allow the tank volume to expand? I’m new to these systems and have never dealt with a clog before.

 

[Steve S]

Question about forcing air or water into the system as in a hose or plunger: If the system has a normal vacuum past the clog, and we shove higher pressure before the clog and over-pressurize the remainder of the system, can we cause damage? Should we take the pump-out cap off first to allow the tank volume to expand? I’m new to these systems and have never dealt with a clog before.

I never took the cap off. The system is vented already with a filter. BUT I also was very careful to only give it one or two seconds after the rubber expanded and created a seal. I didn't want to over pressurize the system. The clog cleared immediately because as soon as I turned the water off and the rubber "balloon" shrank and the seal broke, I heard the "Hiss" of the vacuum.

 

[markrsimon]

Caution: If you unscrew the pump out fitting, thinking it will 'help' be warned. The pump out fitting connects to the BOTTOM of the holding tank. The vent line connects to the top. If you give the system an opportunity to 'breath, or more specifically relieve pressure' through the pump out fitting, it will eject 'material' from the bottom of the tank.

Make sure the system thinks it has vacuum (eg: turn the system on, let the pump run and build pressure). My suggestion would be to then turn the system off (read more below). Then, as Steve suggests, give it a second or two of water. Between the water trying to push the clog downstream, and the vacuum trying to suck it downstream - you've got a good shot at moving that clog through the system.

The positive pressure from the water, will generally quickly balance out with the negative vacuum in the system. Your risk of over pressuring the system is low, unless you leave the hose running.

I have never had to deal with a clog in the line before - but if I had to, I would turn the system off (per instructions above) after it has built pressure. This is due to the clog and the nature of the system. The hose is roughly 1.5" diameter. There are other parts of the system that may not fair well with a clog of that size (notably the duck bills, and the pump bellows). When the clog finally moves, it ends up in the vacuum accumulator tank (giant white bottle on its side), along with the water you just pushed into the system. If the system is left on, it will try to create vacuum - which means moving that stuff from the accumulator tank, through the pump, into the holding tank. The likelihood of moving that clog through the rest of the system is fair game. If the system is off, the clog should stay in the accumulator tank, with the water, and start to break down to some extent. Then, maybe after 2 hours, turn the system back on.

 

[Blueone]

Plumbing sucks... I just hate it....good luck

 

[DWABoat]

Excellent discussion.
Thank you all.
Good luck on your clog issues.

 

[Benjamin Gray]

Follow up...'Twas a clog. Little too nasty of a job for my liking...found a guy to replace half ball kit and duckbills for $500 parts and labor here in Tampa. Not having to deal with the smell made it worth it for me! Marina said they wouldn't touch my boat if they can't lift it out...That may create an interesting issue in the future if/when it does need to be pulled...