Waste tank pump out

Fastphil

New Member
Nov 5, 2015
24
Ct
Boat Info
2004 420 DA w/Hardtop, Blue hull.
"BIG DADDY 2"
Engines
Cummings
Not sure if it's an electrical question or not. However, came back to my marina after another weekend away. Have been using head for a month or more. Wanted to get the waste tank sucked out. When the guy pushed the hose over the waste port, nothing came out!! Am I suppose to be hitting a switch somewhere? We opened the hatch, the tank appeared to be at half, but couldn't really tell. It was too sunny and hard to see, but I know there's something in there. He also said the valve which goes to the hull bottom was stuck in the open position. See the round device on top with some wires going to it, but I think it's the masorator. What could be wrong? Or am I full of crap?
 
Maybe there's a crack in the tank allowing the liquid to run out into the bilge? Has it been overboard discharging perhaps?
 
If the valve to the thru hull is open i would think it is draining overboard. I would get that closed, pretty good fine if the coast guard boards and sees it open
 
Hmmm...me thinks a properly installed macerator will not allow the waste tank to drain unless the macerator is on and engaged.

I'd be surprised if somebodies pump-out issues were related to the macerator thru-hull. The guy was likely showing that to you because it is illegal to have your thru-hull open when operating in no-discharge zones (which most locations are). It's supposed to be closed and locked or closed and handle removed.
 
I suspect that you don't have a masorator, but another duckbill style pump used to empty the holding overboard. Now with the seacock valve open, and never replaced duckbills (assumption), it will slowly leak liquid past, and overboard.


Here is what to try.....
Close the seacock. It may be stubborn, depending on growth and how long it has been open. Tie wrap it shut, this will protect you from a fine.
Fill the holding half way by holding the toilet flush lever down. If your holding indicators are bad, try to get a visual on the tank using a flashlight.
Try the pump out station again.

Depending on how long this has been going on, you will have sludge in the tank, and it should be flushed the same way, and often.

Good luck
 
Hmmm...me thinks a properly installed macerator will not allow the waste tank to drain unless the macerator is on and engaged.

I'd be surprised if somebodies pump-out issues were related to the macerator thru-hull. The guy was likely showing that to you because it is illegal to have your thru-hull open when operating in no-discharge zones (which most locations are). It's supposed to be closed and locked or closed and handle removed.

I agree!
Waste discharge pump needs to be on to pull the waste out of the tank and pump it through the hose to the thru-hull.
More likely that there is some kind of obstruction preventing the waste from being pulled out of the tank and up through the pump out fitting.
 
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Sounds like a plan. I'll give it a try. Definetly no odors in the bilge. Actually no odors anywhere. I'm kinda afraid to fill with water, especially if I can't get it out. If it's sludge will something like ridex work? Boat was in Florida its whole life. Not sure what or how previous owner did. All I know, the coffee pot still still had the original papers in it from new. Lol
 
Before losing your mind about this I would try a different pumpout facility. It is quite possible the pumpout facility you used was inoperative. It's happened to me before.
 
Try adding No-Flex digestor and then add some water and go for a cruise. Any sludge on the sides of the tank will get broken up by the movement of the water in the tank and then a pump-out should be easy. I agree to try another facility.
 
I don't think Sea Ray did this in 2004, but some boats are built with a Y valve in the waste line. In one position the Y lets waste up through the deck pumpout, in the other position it shunts waste to the macerator and overboard discharge. Check to see if you have a Y valve.
 
If there was no suction, then vent line maybe blocked and you could crush your tank. The holding tanks need a way to equalize pressure. I honk it is doe with a rubber bladder disk usually found on top or the vent line serves to reverse airflow so when you pump out the auction does not get so high it crushes the tank.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
If there was no suction, then vent line maybe blocked and you could crush your tank. The holding tanks need a way to equalize pressure. I honk it is doe with a rubber bladder disk usually found on top or the vent line serves to reverse airflow so when you pump out the auction does not get so high it crushes the tank.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I honk it is doe as well. (Please don't take offence, I just started laughing out loud when I read that, those spell checkers aren't as cracked up as they should be!)

But on a more serious note, if I was in this situation, I would also try a different pump out but might first try putting a few gallons of water (hose or bucket) down the pump-out fitting to see if it is clogged or not.
 
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