Vacuflush

HUMPH

HUMPH

Well-Known Member
Nov 4, 2009
7,618
SF BAY AREA
Boat Info
2003 410DA
2009 Walker Bay 13’
Engines
CAT 3126TA's 350HP/
50HP Honda
I am looking for help regarding a vacuflush issue (hopefully simple one). If I turn on the water pump the aft head starts overflowing. I step on the flush pedal and the ball turns but the water doesn't go down. Does this sound like a simple clog? I do not here the system kick in but the indicator light shows the system is powered and ready. I have emptied the holding talk...
 
Maybe two problems? The water should not run unless the pedal is down. If it does not flush there is no vacuum or there is a clog. :huh:
 
Here is something I have not heard about before. One thing I do know is on any vacuflush head system that i have ever encountered on any boat is that when you pull up on the flush pedal it will allow a rinse of the bowl, I.E the water will rinse the bowl as long as long as you hold it up (Gary,please correct me if I am wrong) so my first check would would be to make sure this valve is shutting off.
 
HUMPH said:
I am looking for help regarding a vacuflush issue (hopefully simple one). If I turn on the water pump the aft head starts overflowing. I step on the flush pedal and the ball turns but the water doesn't go down. Does this sound like a simple clog? I do not here the system kick in but the indicator light shows the system is powered and ready. I have emptied the holding talk...
Click to expand...


I have the same type of system. You will fine between your white vaccum tank and pump, a duck bill which allows only one way flow. You will fine wadded material in the duck bill. The duck bill is attached at the pumps end. I hope that helps.
 
techmitch said:
Here is something I have not heard about before. One thing I do know is on any vacuflush head system that i have ever encountered on any boat is that when you pull up on the flush pedal it will allow a rinse of the bowl, I.E the water will rinse the bowl as long as long as you hold it up (Gary,please correct me if I am wrong) so my first check would would be to make sure this valve is shutting off.
Click to expand...
That is correct, I had forgotten that... pull up or push down on the pedal to open the valve.
 
JimG said:
Maybe two problems? The water should not run unless the pedal is down. If it does not flush there is no vacuum or there is a clog. :huh:
Click to expand...

+1...

If the vacuum pump is not running it may be a clog, I have had that happen. I keep a silly looking accordion type plunger on the boat. Although I would go and pull on the vacuum switch to see if the pump comes on, just to be sure.

What I did was turn off the fresh water pumps, open the sink faucet to relieve the pressure in the fresh water system.

Then you can hold the pedal down on the toilet without it overflowing.

You know it is pushing the clog through the system, because you have a heck of a time getting the plunger out of the toilet, the vacuum sucks it right down.

Sounds like your water valve may be messed up as well.
 
The most common clog is at the base of the bowl. Most of the time that can be cleared by pushing a straightened out coat hanger down hole at the base of the bowl. Do not attempt to turn the hanger to rod out the plumbing as you will very likely damage something in the process. The few times we've had a clog it was instantly fixable this way so try this approach first.
 
THANKS FOR ALL OF THE SUGGESTIONS. I'LL BE DIVING IN ON sATURDAY TO SEE WHAT I CAN FIND. :smt009
 
Well, it ended up that both heads were badly clogged. After about an hour of plunging :smt009 I was able to get them both working properly. I still may rebuild at least the forward head as it seems to have been used more. A new seat is being ordered.

Thanks for all of the recommendations! They will probably come in handy later.
 
Ignorance professed: Can you tell me what the key switch controls in the head?
 
Power to the holding tank vac. pump.
 
Update, I left the Admiral alone and she screwed up and flushed a PAPER TOWEL down the aft head. More plunging in the future....I may have to teach her how!
 
New update....backed up again (not the one she flushed a paper towel down, I fixed that one) :smt009. So I break the hose loose at the tank and snake it and it stops about 10' in. I pull the toilet off and snake the other way and it stops about 18' in. I figure the hose is almost 20' lond and in looking at the parts manual I see this coupling right about where the stoppage is. See page 90 of the attached link.

This is something hard that I believe is stopped at this coupling, probably the cap off of something that fell down before I got her.

http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/Company1729/1C1_24_74DEIPR73H9.pdf
 
HUMPH said:
New update....backed up again (not the one she flushed a paper towel down, I fixed that one) :smt009. So I break the hose loose at the tank and snake it and it stops about 10' in. I pull the toilet off and snake the other way and it stops about 18' in. I figure the hose is almost 20' lond and in looking at the parts manual I see this coupling right about where the stoppage is. See page 90 of the attached link.

This is something hard that I believe is stopped at this coupling, probably the cap off of something that fell down before I got her.

http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/Company1729/1C1_24_74DEIPR73H9.pdf
Click to expand...


Has anyone else come across this problem? Does anyone with a similar boat know where to access this PVC coupling so I rip it apart to relieve the clog if need be?
 
HUMPH said:
Has anyone else come across this problem? Does anyone with a similar boat know where to access this PVC coupling so I rip it apart to relieve the clog if need be?
Click to expand...

Bump
 
I think I have the reverse problem. My head has an electric motor flusher and it flushes away the water fine, but when the water returns it often will fill to the very top of the bowl and sometimes overflow. Is there an adjustment somewhere that anyone can suggest? Thanks
 
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