Clogged holding tank???

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mchad

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I made a grim observation this weekend. On my new to me 2000 crownline 242, I went to pump out the head for the first time since buying it. It began as normal for about 3 seconds, but then the flow slowed to what amounts to about a gallon a minute (as opposed to the usual what appears to be gallon a second) and wouldn't improve, no matter how much I stopped and restarted. I think I have a blockage, as when I sprayed water in the waste fitting, the hose filled up! So what can I do? Roto-rooter? I am terrified of the thought of having to replace the tank!

Any suggestions?
 
Maybe something clogged the pumpout hose. Do you have a snake? Alternately there's a device that attaches to a garden hose that is a rubber bellows kind of deal. You push it in to where the clog is, turn on the water, it fills up and locks itself in place and then blasts a stream of water at the clog. I would think the thick-walled sewer hose could handle that but have only used it with iron pipe.

But, are you sure there's not a Y valve someplace for an overboard fitting?

From what you say it does not sound like a vent hose issue.
 
Sounds like the tank may be overfull and clogged the vent. If the vent is clogged and air can't get in, no stuff can be sucked out. Next time you try to pumpout have someone take a look at the tank while the suction is applied and see if the tank looks like the vacuum is distorting the tank. Also, be careful so you don't get a sudden "explosive discharge" coming out of the pumpout outlet when removing the hose as air rushes in to replace the vacuum.
 
I left that out. I suspected it was the vent, so I disconnected the vent hose from the tank, and ran a wire through the fitting to make sure it wasn't clogged. Tried it with the vent hose disconnected too. No suction at the vent hose fitting. So it's probably not the vent...

There is no Y valve, the discharge host goes from the tank directly to the waste fitting.

I guess I could get a snake, and some rubber gloves. And a respirator. And a face shield. And a decon chamber. Ugh.

I wonder what would clog it so bad? That pumpout creates a pretty good vacuum... Who knows.
 
This is what's called a boating rite of passage.
 
Might a plunger over the deck fitting put enough back pressure in the hose to dislodge a clog? It shouldn't take a lot to push out a wad of TP. You might get lucky. Then again, you put pressure in a hose that normally does not have any, maybe you force the hose to pop off a fitting somewhere and then you have a real mess. You definitely want to think through every step you take on this.
 
Guess its not the vent then. You can try what Ron suggested. I've used that device at home and it does work. You can find them at any hardware store.
 
Try boiling hot water in your Microwave a few gallons of that should loosen up any sludge.
Bill
 
Oh boy. This, and what I have been reading on the interweb is really scaring the crap out of me. I think maybe if a snake doesn't work, then letting a professional handle it may be the way to go.

I just have a thing about potentially being coated in someone elses crap...
 
need to look at the hose fittings and see how they're connected.

some boats have a fitting at the bottom of the tank where the pump out hose is attached... others have a fitting at the top and a dip tube which goes in the tank. In either case something could be clogging the fitting or the tube but that's unusual since those hoses are normally 1.5"... i'd try forcing water in first, with the uncloging gizmo others mentioned.

obviously, check the hose along the whole run to make sure it's not kinked or collapsed, unlikely unless some genius replaced the hose with something too soft/un ribbed. never know...
 
I'd be surprised if it's just TP causing the clog. Once it makes it to the holding tank there should not be much left of any TP.

You may have to unclog it and then get in there to remove what ever is clogging it. As it may just clog the hose or your pump again. Once unclogged, flush the tank with lots and lots of fresh water in case you have to go in it.
 
In addition make sure all your sanitation hoses are smooth walled. If they are not the TP problem could be the problem created by corrigated house. Bill
 
The hose is standard smooth white sanitation hose, going to a fitting at the bottom of the tank. I'll try a snake or the water pressure unclogger I guess, but if that doesn't do it, or it happens again, it'll have to go to a professional. There's only a small, 2" or so access port, so I am probably not going digging around in there.

We'll see.
 
If you can't unplug you could probably go to Home Depot and make up a fitting pump out through th access port on the top.
Jim
 
Could it be something as simple as the impellor in the macerator pump is shot?
Al
 
Have you had any guests out lately? Did you give the "don't flush it unless you ate it or it came off this role" speech? Sounds like the clog could be a feminine hygene product.
 
- No macerator. Hose from bottom of tank to pump out fitting.

- No history. Could be from past owner, definitly not from my gf.
 
I've been waiting and watching, to see if any clarification turned up - which hasn't. In the first posting, you said you were trying to pump out the head. But most of the following correspondence indicated that the holding tank won't pump out. So which is it? The head or the holding tank - or both?

If you're having trouble pumping out the head - the problem is most likely in the head. If you're having trouble emptying the holding tank, that's an entirely different kettle of fish. Are you trying to empty it via an onboard macerator pump? Or have you been to a pumpout station, and it isn't able to pump out the tank?

What hasn't been mentioned by anyone thus far, is that not all pumpout stations are equal - and where one can't pump out your tank, another one may be able to do it without difficulty.

At this point, I'm rather confused...
 
quote:
Originally posted by Vic Willman

I've been waiting and watching, to see if any clarification turned up - which hasn't. In the first posting, you said you were trying to pump out the head. But most of the following correspondence indicated that the holding tank won't pump out. So which is it? The head or the holding tank - or both?

If you're having trouble pumping out the head - the problem is most likely in the head. If you're having trouble emptying the holding tank, that's an entirely different kettle of fish. Are you trying to empty it via an onboard macerator pump? Or have you been to a pumpout station, and it isn't able to pump out the tank?

What hasn't been mentioned by anyone thus far, is that not all pumpout stations are equal - and where one can't pump out your tank, another one may be able to do it without difficulty.

At this point, I'm rather confused...

Click to expand...


Sorry, I guess I wasn't completely clear.

The difficulty is when trying to pump out the holding tank. I'm not sure that the problem is with the pump out station, as it *seems* to create quite the vacuum. So much so that it would be very difficult to remove it from the waste fitting even after closing the valve.

Jabsco manual pump head, to a holding tank to a pump out fitting. No Y valve, no macerator. Not a clogged vent.

Haven't tried a snake/auger yet, planning on buying one this week for a try on Friday.

Thanks

The head itself flushes with ease.
 
Vic great point, I can not get pumped out by the "Waste Watcher" Ocean County's Little Egg pump out boat. However I have no problem getting pumped out at the local marina. Bill
 
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