Help! Can't pump out waste!

[GAGates]

New Hatteras owner here! Have 1970 53'MY. Been able to pump out waste tanks before, but last night couldn't pump from main tank. Was able to pump out forward tank, though, so it appears to be an onboard problem. Friend's advise is to buy a snake w/blunt end and try "stiring it up" YUCK! Any other suggestions?

 

[MikeP]

Forget the snake - stirring it up won't do anything. Failure of the oem dip tube inside the tank is a common problem. Over the years they break or perforate and cannot pump any waste below the break or perforation. They were originally metal and most people replace them nowadays with PVC pipe. Could be something else but this is probably the most common problem on an old boat for that symptom.

Unfortunately, the solution is even worse than the snake. You have to pull the old dip tube and install a new one.

If this turns out to be the problem, a load of clorox dumped into the head and flushed into the tank will ease the pain...er smell.

 

[Passages]

go to home depot and pick up chem resistant gloves, a disposible "charcoal' mask and Gallon of Odo-ban


and try to pick a non-blistering hot day for this project.

 

[MikeP]

"and try to pick a non-blistering hot day for this project."

REALLY good advice!

 

[chris piazza]

Also good luck getting the top cap off, took me two large pipe wrenches, one with a breaker bar to get it off! Once you get it off it's easy to change, a small piece of schedule 40 PVC 1 1/2 measure cut to appropriate length, cut the bottom on a 45 and your good to go.. So to speak!

Chris
Superior Nights 53C

 

[Avenger]

cut the bottom on a 45 and your good to go.. So to speak!

Chris
Superior Nights 53C

Funny!

 

[GJH]

Before diving in too deeply, make sure that 1) your vent line is not clogged (insects are know to build mud nests in them 2) you do not have an air leak, such as the hose to the deck fitting getting worn. or loose. After we bought our boat, I had #2 vexing my ability to pump out our #2 until someone more adept figured it out. Some pump outs could over come the flaw, many could not.

 

[Passages]

Before diving in too deeply, make sure that 1) your vent line is not clogged (insects are know to build mud nests in them 2) you do not have an air leak, such as the hose to the deck fitting getting worn. or loose. After we bought our boat, I had #2 vexing my ability to pump out our #2 until someone more adept figured it out. Some pump outs could over come the flaw, many could not.

Good suggestion.

I had a problem where the tank was overfilled and the vent line was full of schmutz.
Hardened like concrete and I had to replace the line.

 

[Pascal]

And make sure you don't have a clogged charcoal filter on the vent line...

But yes, check the basics before going into the dip tube... And obviously check that there is enough vacuum at the pump out hose. Sometimes it starts with plenty of vacuum and then dies down

 

[GAGates]

Thanks, all, for the great suggestions, I will give them all a go, starting with the basics. Major problem tho - here in DC it's going up to 98 today and 90 over the weekend...maybe I'll work on it at night!

1970 53 MY
"Heavenly Gates"

 

[SeaEric]

AFAIK, the forward waste tank on your boat is the one in use. The master and aft guest heads both pump to that forward tank, which is located below the hatch in the forward stateroom. The forward (crew) head has a LectraSan treatment and goes overboard. The deck fitting on the port bow deck is the one to pump out the holding tank that is currently in use. There is a deck fitting marked waste on the starboard side mid-ship. One may assume that is connected to another waste tank that is not in use.

 

[stilespb]

Assuming you have vacuum tight hoses etc as mentioned in responses to date and your vent line is open, one other possible aid to sanitation engineering that has not yet been mentioned is to make your water wetter using water softener or fabric softener. Try a gallon of cheap fabric softener down the pump out deck fitting and let it slosh around for day or two. If you have a solids build up problem, it will help things re-dissolve so that it will move out under suction.

This advice passed on by a guy who used to run a honey barge business down Solomons Island way.