Head won't flush

[knotflying]

My buddy on an R-27 has an elecric flush toilet. When he presses the button to flush the pump works but nothing goes down. Any advice?

 

[Irish Mist]

Not to state the obivious but does it need to be pumped out? Next would be there is blockage between toilet and tank. But going back to the pumping I would do a visual check if you can as I have had bad pump out and returned to port with tank still full...
That's all I've got

 

[knotflying]

Tank is empty.

 

[LADYBUG TOO]

Depending on the head type it could be a sensor that did not clear after the pump out. However, if the pump is heard then there is a blockage which on the suction side of a pump does not need to be much. I would try some water with detergent dumped through the pump out connection ( 2 or 3 gallons) and try pouring a little down the head. I am basing this on the Tecma system in our R-29.

Pat and Carolyn, Ladybug, Too

 

[knotflying]

This is the jabsco head. There are several buttons to push. Initially when he pressed the button for water and flush that is when he realized it did not flush, so we have been pressing the button that just flushes without adding water. The water in the bowl just swishes around, but does not exit. I am assuming it is a clog, but don't know where to look for it or how one would clear it. As you may know I am a strong advocate of the Airhead and this is why! Perhaps I should just have friends with Airheads. :lol:

 

[Dale777]

knotflying,

On my R27, last summer after the boat was in a boat house with a LOT of spiders, the head would not flush well without gurgling, and when I tried to pump out, it did not do so easily. Guessing that spiders had blocked the vent, I removed the vent hose at the vent tube on the transom. Then, after loosening the pump out cap and placing a heavy disposable towel over it, I put compressed air in the hose to blow out any blockage. All has been well since clearing that vent line.

 

[walldog]

This is the jabsco head. There are several buttons to push. Initially when he pressed the button for water and flush that is when he realized it did not flush, so we have been pressing the button that just flushes without adding water. The water in the bowl just swishes around, but does not exit. I am assuming it is a clog, but don't know where to look for it or how one would clear it. As you may know I am a strong advocate of the Airhead and this is why! Perhaps I should just have friends with Airheads. :lol:

My experience is that there is long mostly level pipe running from the toilet to the tank. I believe that most problems occur when we try to save on water and do not push enough water through after solids. There is a Joker valve as a part of the toilet that works as a one way valve in the discharge line. Mine was corroded and had coated the rubber valve so that it was no longer flexible. At any rate removing the toilet will allow you see the problem. A dirty messy job. If the motor runs but nothing moves, the belt maybe broken. I was in Ladysmith when mine went out and found a vacuum cleaner belt that was a perfect match. It is still on my Jabsco, it appeared to be a sturdier belt than the original.

Lots of flush water is the key to keeping it working well. Do not skimp on water. Pumping out a little more often is a small price to pay to keep from taking it apart to clean.

 

[knotflying]

Thanks, we will give all these ideas a try, with the least "offensive" task first. We will let you know the outcome.

 

[sleepyboat]

When the toilet clogs at home, before I take it all apart, I get my trusty plunger and give it a number of push/pulls. Sometimes I have had to put very hot water in the bowl and between the two have always been successful. Like Mike, I also have an Airhead so I maybe incorrect on this but I thought the stock head flushed with seawater. I’ve been wrong before.
John DeCaro

 

[linedoctor]

I changed the joker valve on our Jabsco a few weeks ago. An easy job and not very messy. While I was doing that I noticed that the exit line between the toilet and joker valve had quite a kink in it....I was surprised the toilet hadn't clogged. An unfortunate poor install job at the factory. Rerouting it is now on my list of things to do. Look at the hose where it exits the toilet and if its kinked its likely the problem. These toilets are very simple. Good luck!

 

[Andrew Custis]

Line Doctor,

Let us know and we will come and fix the line that's kinked. I have had a clogged Jabsco head and it was a matter of pulling the waste discharge hose and clearing the line. Not the funnest job. Make sure you are using a marine grade tissue. 😀

 

[baz]

My buddy on an R-27 has an elecric flush toilet. When he presses the button to flush the pump works but nothing goes down. Any advice?

When was the last time it worked without issues ? That is, has the toilet been unused for 6 months, 1 year, etc.

It does sound like a blockage.

The advice about giving the flush a decent amount of water is sound IMO.

I converted our manual to an electric about 18 months ago and chose to use fresh water rather than raw water... mainly to keep the exit line and seals in good order and avoid blockage buildups as well as an attempt to avoid salt water smell in the head room. This has proven to have been a good choice for us so far.

 

[linedoctor]

Thanks Andrew. It's a minor glitch and an easy fix. (Just need to install a 45 degree elbow to eliminate the pinch in the line) I like all of you way too much to have you over to fix such a minor but potentially unpleasant problem! I'm a year passed warranty and as usual Ranger/Cutwater is above and beyond.

Dave Leibman

 

[knotflying]

When was the last time it worked without issues ? That is, has the toilet been unused for 6 months, 1 year, etc.
It does sound like a blockage.

They have used the head regularly and the marina policy is to pump out weekly. My buddy has opted to let a mechanic ( Thank God) deal with this. I will be interested as well to find out the issue and will advise when completed.

 

[knotflying]

Problem resolved. Too much use of TP. A dirty job, glad I didn't have to do it. After the mechanic was done I came back and kissed my Airhead! Trust me I am not an owner of Airhead nor get any commission on sales. I just like to tell people when a product works as it should.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Not the first time hearing that diagnosis. The vacuum type heads just can't handle big gobs of toilet paper, especially typical household toilet paper. Marine/RV (rapidly disolving) paper should be used; and sparingly. After having to disassemble the head on one of the whale watch boats twice last summer, we instituted a new policy onboard that boat: "If it didn't go through you, it doesn't go in the head. There is a waste basket beside the toilet for toilet paper."

I appreciate the Sealand RV-type toilet we have on Wild Blue. It uses fresh water for the flush; wasted goes straight down. We use a non-formaldehyde tank treatment each time after dumping/pumping the tank. The treatment controls odors and helps break down the solids, including toilet paper.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

We use the same chemical/pump out method as Jim on Wild Blue without any failures. A couple of years ago I found a bio-degradable toilet paper made by Georgia-Pacific and sold in bulk at Sam's. On the box it states "recommended for RV, Marine and Portable Toilet Septic Systems" We've used this on the boat as well as home and it is considerable less expensive then the products bought at marine stores, it's still biodegradable and two-ply.....but you can only buy a very large box of the stuff. At Sam's the product name is "POM"

Jim

 

[baz]

Thanks Jim... POMs the word... 😱

On a serious note though, the TP issue is important for keeping the head plumbing in good order.

I always back flush our waste tank twice when pumping it out. I also put a little biodegradable dish liquid into the tank before the first back flush and after the initial pump out.