Head Toilette gas leak

[Knot Tide]

We recently purchased a R29, virtually unused. Last nite was our first experience sleeping on board and it was plagued with sewer gas bubbling back thru the toilette bowl. Tried the electric flushing several times including and excluding the extra water feature to no avail. In all cases the gas begins to bubble back thru the bowl water approx 1 minute after flushing simultaneously with a slight sound change. Tried flushing then shutting down fresh water pump, tried filling the bowl with water, tried reducing the level in the head tank, gas continues.
After several hours the gas releasing dissipates, however soon to return again after the first flushing.
Have no manual, model is not evident, any help would be appreciated

 

[Stella Maris]

Check to make sure the vent is not blocked. It should be on the starboard side near and below where you would pump the tank.

 

[GulfSailor]

Check to make sure the vent is not blocked. It should be on the starboard side near and below where you would pump the tank.

Agreed, and for an for an immediate short term fix until you clear the vent, set the 'Y' valve to the 'dock pumpout' position and unscrew the deck pumpout cap.

That should at least stop the boat getting stinky. 😉

 

[Stella Maris]

The only issue with opening the cap is the deck pumpout draws from the bottom of the tank while the gas goes to the top... My concern would be if enough pressure were to build would you have "Old Faithful" blowing out the side deck????

 

[jroyle]

Gotta be a blocked vent line. When the toilet is flushed the incoming waste water to the tank will displace a proportional amount of air..The air(gas) will find the path of least resistance which is back up into the toilet bowl (should be out the vent line). This causes the bubbles in the head. It is a common mistake in DIY home improver's to incorrectly install traps and vents lines resulting in the nasty smells. I'm guessing opening the pumpout cap won't do much of anything :?:

 

[GulfSailor]

Gotta be a blocked vent line.............I'm guessing opening the pumpout cap won't do much of anything :?:

Yes you're right, there'll be less resistance back to the head than out through the pumpout hose.

It shouldn't be too much trouble though to poke or flush out the mud dobbers or whatever has blocked the vent.

 

[Knot Tide]

Thanks for all the advise...it looks like owning a ranger is like joining a family
First was to check the vent i was able to get a mechanics wire approx 16 inches into the vent line, however with this type of button head thru hull fitting getting any further was hampered. Does anyone know the assembly of these types of fittings, if button head is screwed on, pressed on etc. as it would be more serviceable to check for blockage if the button head could be removed to provide more convenient access. Result at this point ............still gassing
Second attack, with results, albeit embarrassing to admit. I noticed after pouring a pail of water into head it passed right thru the boat. Next in order was to pump out head. i was advised by the previous owner that he believed the head pumping control panel would alarm or flash when full, however there was no evidence displayed that head tank was full so this didn't occur to me.
result - as expected was no gassing. This proves again, and i should know this at my age by now, that start off solving any problem with looking at the obvious first.
can anyone advise me should i be getting a "Hi head Level" alarm or indication or this feature doesn't exist?
thxs

 

[GulfSailor]

if the button head could be removed to provide more convenient access........
............can anyone advise me should i be getting a "Hi head Level" alarm or indication or this feature doesn't exist?
thxs

I don't know the layout of the R29, but if you can get to it, it might be easier to disconnect the vent line from the tank and clear it from that end.

I've no idea if you have a level sensor or not, and they are available, but unless it's it's the external type they can be more trouble than they're worth.

Our holding tank is translucent and it's not hard to see the level. If you can't see it it's either completely full or completely empty. 😉

 

[jroyle]

I noticed after pouring a pail of water into head it passed right thru the boat. Next in order was to pump out head. i was advised by the previous owner that he believed the head pumping control panel would alarm or flash when full, however there was no evidence displayed that head tank was full so this didn't occur to me.
result - as expected was no gassing. This proves again, and i should know this at my age by now, that start off solving any problem with looking at the obvious first.
can anyone advise me should i be getting a "Hi head Level" alarm or indication or this feature doesn't exist?
thxs

As I said "Its gotta be the vent line", except your vent line is now filled with black water :cry: Our boat has an indicator below the flush button that turns green when the tank is less than 50%, yellow when greater than 50% and red when full. I am assuming you got the standard manuals from Ranger that indicate that one can override the "no more flushing allowed" when the indicator is red. Why anyone would override this lockout is beyond me.