Vacuflush Vacuum Leak Repair success

[techmitch]

The problem is those links really are for someone who has worked on their systems. A simple flowchart would be far more useful. You should do that in your spare time!

I'm a Stooge so, do you wanna be crowned? Lol
Thanks John. Hey, look at it this way, he has some good link's for future reference.

 

[MoonRiver]

1996 330DA w/ VacUFlush system.
Great thread, only wish I was not troubleshooting the same issues this past weekend. But the info here is fantastic and spot on to the issues I have with my system. I replaced all 4 duckbill valves due to pure maintenance and the boat is new to me. System held vacuum during the previous season. Fired up the head system and low and behold the pump ran the stopped then ran again etc. I am not seeing any water evacuating the bowl. I can hear water gurgling or moving in and around the accumulator tank (hence way I was fouling with the pressure switch). I have not isolated the accumulator and pump from the toilet, but everything in this thread leads me to focus on the toilet side.
So I have a few questions for ya'll.
1. Can I save myself some time by replacing the bowl ball Shaft & Spring Cartridge? Is this type leak sucking fresh water past the tank and straight into the accumulator and on to the pump and tank? I can hear and feel what I believe is water moving through the system. Side note: our fresh water level dropped a bit more than a normal weekend, but the waste tank didn't really show much increase. Also my wife thought the flush was not as strong as last year.

2. Is this the type of Kit I need. I will have to go back out the marina to get the actual toilet Make & Model prior to buying parts.
3. I might have (DID) moved the adjustment screw on the Accumulator Pressure Switch while troubleshooting. I didnt move it much (cuz nothing really changed) pump just kept running for 13 sec then off for 40 sec and then rept. What's my best course of action? Replace? or do the toilet kit first and reassess?

Thank you all in advance for help and suggestions.
Doug

 

[MaSnaka]

Worth a mention...I was having problems and it turned out to be an electrical connection was causing my pump motor to throw the breaker. After I got the pump motor to cycle without throwing the breaker my bowl ball seal would not hold water and eventually start sucking air. I went to the trusty wd40 and saturated the ball seal, worked it in with the freshwater pump off, and let it sit overnight. That restored the seal and so far it holds suction.

John

 

[Shaps]

@MoonRiver
you say there is no loss of water in your bowl, correct?

If that is the case, I do not think the spring cartridge is the source of your leak. Are you chasing a vacuum leak or a water leak?

 

[MoonRiver]

FIXED it!!!!!
I too chased the problem from the wrong end, but in the end my whole poop system has been replaced, repaired, or given maintenance. In the end I believe it was either the bellows & o-rings or the Duckbills or a combination of both. I have to say I value ALL of the inputs and insight I gain from this site. TY.
My order of troubleshooting and repair. Main issue "vacuum pump kept running then stopping and running again = vacuum leak somewhere"

First: bought new Duckbills (1st mistake = bought china made duckbills). Did not fix the issue.

Second: bought (Dometic) toile rebuild kit. Did not fix the issue.

Third: replaced the vacuum pressure switch (Dometic) because I adjust the sh#& out of it and needed to replace. Did not fix the issue.

Fourth: bought a vacuum pump kit (Dometic: bellowes, O-rings, and Duckbills). I brought the pump home to rebuild in the shop and to get a better lok at the inside of the pump housing. I found the cheap china duck bills had already deformed and not closing. I also found there was a great deal of build-up inside the housing. So Muriatic Acid to the rescue good as new. Rebuilt with all new parts w/ silicone grease plus new threaded nipples and duckbills (hand tight) due to old ones had been damaged by channel-lock pliers over the years. The install went smooth, but this time the pump never stopped!!!! So, in a fit of frustration I filled the toilet bowl with water and flushed it down and held the foot peddle down to watch the water evacuate twice. To my surprise the pump stopped pumping before I could get back up the stairs to the open engine hatch. Amazed and shocked, I waited (beer) and waited (beer), not ready to believe. After 3 beers I was ready to celebrate my success and the supreme test when the XO arrived to use the toilet without flipping the switch before and after.

Long story and $700 later I now know where and when all my toilet system parts have been replaced.