Macerator not discharging

[trailertrawlerkismet]

I went to use the overboard black water tank discharge last week with no results. The motor ran, lever in open position but no discharge. I closed the valve, tried it and then opened n tried but nothing. Based on a little research I find there is an impeller....which may be the problem. Has anyone had any experience with a failed macerator, changing out a macerator impeller? Or other thoughts?

Jim F

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

On my previous boat I decided to carry a spare macerator vice a rebuild kit. The extra money was worth not having to deal with the internal workings of a poop pump 😀

 

[BB marine]

Jim have you used the macerator before? If it is a Jabsco macerator pump and mounted higher then the tank the self prime is limited. If the macerator and (shore pump out) pickups are on the top of the tank and separate, many times the macerator pick up gets plugged or partially obstructed ( from lack of use) this reduces the already limited self prime feature of the macerator. Your impeller may be bad but before replacing it I would pump the system out at a pump out station, rinse the tank several times with fresh water. Then 1/2 fill the tank with potable fresh water. Open the macerator valve and back feed the pump from the thru hull fitting on the side of hull. Turn the macerator pump on and see if it starts to pickup prime and pump. If it does it will be clean water so really not an issue to use. Pump out the fresh water. If it doesn't pump then remove the pump impeller to inspect and replace. Now try pumping, you can troubleshoot the system at the dock because you have fresh clean potable water in the tank. I have done this before with success especially on boats used in the midwest. They never get used. I'm not sure of the waste tank Location in a 29. If it is at the bow it may be a top tank pump out.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Hi Brian. The pump is a JOHNSON SPXFlow and is mounted above the black water tank. I have used the discharge a few times and it worked as recently last month. I’ll give the flushing idea a try to see if this dislodges any clogged up debris. Thanks,
Jim

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Per advice on Tugnuts I pumped the holding tank out, filled with water and pumped out twice more. I then added half a tank of water to the black water tank to test the overboard discharge and still no discharge. Next step, when we’re off of the boat n home, will be to take the hoses off of the macerator pump to flush them both to see if there is debris keeping it from working properly. If that does not work I’ll then address the macerator.

Jim F

 

[Scottfree]

Hi Jim

Ours stopped pumping once. I took the raw water wash down hose (Garden hose) with a regular sprayer on in and held it over the black water through hull with a rag wrapped around it. Pulled the trigger and back washed through the macerator and into the tank. Got back in the boat and hit the switch. Whatever it was dislodged and it worked fine.

Good Luck, Leon

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Hi Leon:

If you’re talking about the discharge hole on the side of the boat I did try that with no success. I’m hoping the direct approach from the macerator tank fitting will be my lucky charm. Thanks for your thoughts.

Jim F

 

[cstooks]

Jim,

I have the same boat and am having the same problem. How did you end up fixing yours? I am going to haul out next week and wondering.

Chris