Y valve position or just remove ??

moparlvr4406

moparlvr4406

Active Member
Jun 29, 2011
4,462
Lake Monroe Indiana Fourwinds H31
Boat Info
1985 340DA
1966 SRV180
(2)1960 Sea Ray 600
(2) 1963 808 Cruise-a-bouts
Engines
twin 350hp Crusaders 4.0 Onan /
Merc 950 SS
Merc 650
Merc 1100
twin Johnson 40
went to the pump out station last week and couldn't get and draw from the vacuum pump. My 340 has the macerator and is set up for overboard dump but it's not legal to do that here. My question is should I just eliminate the Y valve and put a straight connector in the hose since the overboard feature cant be used ??I suspect the valve may be plugged up as it is very hard to move...or replace the Y valve and just figure out which way to point it. Our pump out is very busy most times and you have to disassemble the back of the boat to get the access to it to even try to turn it. Would removal cause any issues :huh:
 
Since the feature is already there I'd replace it, switch it to the right direction and put a lock on it to make it legal. Could be a possible selling point in the future.
 
KC_Sundancer said:
Since the feature is already there I'd replace it, switch it to the right direction and put a lock on it to make it legal. Could be a possible selling point in the future.
Click to expand...
problem right now is all of the writing is gone off the valve and I don't know what the position should be...got any pics ??:grin:
 
KC_Sundancer said:
Since the feature is already there I'd replace it, switch it to the right direction and put a lock on it to make it legal. Could be a possible selling point in the future.
Click to expand...

During USCG VSC they said a zip tie holding the Y in the "into the tank" position was sufficient as "a lock"
 
Jim
By Y-valve do you mean a thru-hull fitting with a valve like this?
A126_1_20130118105597551.jpg


If so the handle should be in the down position ie: perpendicular to the flow of liquid. That is OFF.
 
You are damned if you do and damned if you don't. Personally, I would remove the Y-valve and install a new hose from the tank to the pumpout fitting unless you can somehow manage a no-hub connector between the 2 hoses. Clean the old hose and Y-valve as best you can and shrink wrap it merely for retrofit reasons.....or take a picture and measurements. Lube and cap the thru hull. Exercise the valve monthly.
 
rondds said:
Jim
By Y-valve do you mean a thru-hull fitting with a valve like this?
A126_1_20130118105597551.jpg


If so the handle should be in the down position ie: perpendicular to the flow of liquid. That is OFF.
Click to expand...

That looks like a seacock / through hull fitting. The one on my dads boat is a true y-valve. One input, two outputs, with a handle that directs the input to either of the two outputs. On his boat it's white and mounted just above the tank. In one position the head contents are directed into the tank, and in the other, it's directed toward the through-hull seacock fitting to go overboard. His happens to have a hole in the end of the handle, and the USCG guy said to put a zip tie through the hole and zip tie it into the "into tank" position. They basically want to know that you cant just quickly/easily flip it from overboard dumping to tank position when it's time for an inspection or you are boarded.
 
I'd probably just remove it and replace with a single line going to the pump out fitting. You can always put it back it, if needed. But, in the meantime, if for nothing else, it'll clean up the bilge a bit and make it so you have one less hose to dance around as you work down there.

An easy way to figure out which way to turn the handle on the y-valve? Dump water into your pump-out fitting. If the water backs up the hose to the pump-out fitting, the valve is the wrong way. If you hear it splashing into the tank, it's turned the correct way. Make sure to then mark the valve.
 
Last edited:
moparlvr4406 said:
that one is closer...so the long part of the handle indicates the output fitting ??
Click to expand...
I have never owned one... just going by the picture, in its current position, the arrow is exposed on the right side and covered up on the left. :huh:
 
If yours is the same as mine, there is a black plastic handle that is shaped somewhat like an arrow. If so, it is similar to a seacock as far as the handle position. When the long section points toward the hose the valve is open and across the body it is closed.
Just like Jim said, I had a USCG safety inspection and they had me remove the handle (small screw on top) and zip tie it to the valve.
I looked, and I dont have any pictures that far back in the bilge where I could pick out the valve.
 
I figured it out.
Pulled up to the poop dock and hooked up and turned it until the evacuation started
 
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