CaspersCruiser
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 11, 2016
- Messages
- 873
- Fluid Motion Model
- R-27 Classic
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT2709G112
- Vessel Name
- Cookie
- MMSI Number
- 368203460
There are lots of posts on Tugnuts about holding tank odors. One source of odor I’ve never seen mentioned is a leak from the holding tank Y-valve.
My 2012 R27 has a Jabsco Y-valve mounted on a vertical platform secured at the front of the holding tank. The holding tank is located at the aft end of the engine compartment.
While performing routine maintenance in the engine compartment, I noticed a drip coming from the Y-valve handle. It was a very slow drip, a drop every five minutes or so. It was just happenstance that I saw the drip; I wasn’t looking for it.
The engine compartment on my R27 has always had a mild odor for the three years I’ve owned it (some folks said they couldn’t smell anything) and I ascribed it to the holding tank being in the space. However, discovery of the drip certainly suggested a source for what I was smelling. I did some research and found that, not surprisingly, there are several o-rings and seals in the Y-valve assembly.
A kit is available to replace all of the seals and o-rings— Jabsco #45488-0000. A sale price for the kit I found online was $30. I found the whole Y-valve assembly complete on sale for $65— Jabsco #45490-1000.
Not knowing for absolute sure the source of the drip, I opted to buy the complete Y-valve assembly in case it was more than an o-ring. I ended up changing out just the handle and valve assembly, which are one integral unit. Buying the whole Y-valve assembly also meant that all of the new seals and o-rings were already in place and I didn’t have to clean and handle the old assembly.
Before working on the Y-valve, a thorough pump out of the holding tank must be done. And I mean thorough! When removing the handle and valve assembly some holding tank effluent will come with it. I placed a rectangular disposable pan under the Y-valve to catch the 1/2 cup that came out.
Changing the handle and valve assembly involved removing three stainless bolts and pulling it out of the body of the Y-valve which remained fastened to the vertical platform. To get it started, I used a stiff putty knife to gently pry the top of the handle/valve assembly away from the body.
Time will tell if this work makes any change to what I smell in the engine compartment. If you have unexplained odors around your holding tank, take a long look at the Y-valve.
My 2012 R27 has a Jabsco Y-valve mounted on a vertical platform secured at the front of the holding tank. The holding tank is located at the aft end of the engine compartment.
While performing routine maintenance in the engine compartment, I noticed a drip coming from the Y-valve handle. It was a very slow drip, a drop every five minutes or so. It was just happenstance that I saw the drip; I wasn’t looking for it.
The engine compartment on my R27 has always had a mild odor for the three years I’ve owned it (some folks said they couldn’t smell anything) and I ascribed it to the holding tank being in the space. However, discovery of the drip certainly suggested a source for what I was smelling. I did some research and found that, not surprisingly, there are several o-rings and seals in the Y-valve assembly.
A kit is available to replace all of the seals and o-rings— Jabsco #45488-0000. A sale price for the kit I found online was $30. I found the whole Y-valve assembly complete on sale for $65— Jabsco #45490-1000.
Not knowing for absolute sure the source of the drip, I opted to buy the complete Y-valve assembly in case it was more than an o-ring. I ended up changing out just the handle and valve assembly, which are one integral unit. Buying the whole Y-valve assembly also meant that all of the new seals and o-rings were already in place and I didn’t have to clean and handle the old assembly.
Before working on the Y-valve, a thorough pump out of the holding tank must be done. And I mean thorough! When removing the handle and valve assembly some holding tank effluent will come with it. I placed a rectangular disposable pan under the Y-valve to catch the 1/2 cup that came out.
Changing the handle and valve assembly involved removing three stainless bolts and pulling it out of the body of the Y-valve which remained fastened to the vertical platform. To get it started, I used a stiff putty knife to gently pry the top of the handle/valve assembly away from the body.
Time will tell if this work makes any change to what I smell in the engine compartment. If you have unexplained odors around your holding tank, take a long look at the Y-valve.