Vacu-Flush head not working
 

Hi All-

I have a 1998 382 with the Vacu-Flush head that does not seem to be working. The water will go into the bowl but it doesn't want to flush. Has anyone ever had this problem? Is there a way to fiqure out what part of the system is not working? Any help would be great!

Thanks
Don

Re: Vacu-Flush head not working
 

is the vaccuum pump running or not?

Re: Vacu-Flush head not working
 

I think I here a pump running. I am not sure if it is feed "water pump" or Vaccum Pump. Where is the vacuum pump located in the boat?

Re: Vacu-Flush head not working
 

you would hear the pump it makes a thumping sound.trace the hose and find the pump its white in color.check the power leads to the pump. let us know.

Re: Vacu-Flush head not working
 

Should be in the engine compartment in front of the engines up against the "back seat". Black tank, white hoses. It does make an obvious thumping sound when priming the pump. Have someone flush it for you while your leaning into the engine compartment....if it's working you can't miss the sound.

Re: Vacu-Flush head not working
 

BTW: You did turn on the circuit breaker for the head didn't you?

Re: Vacu-Flush head not working
 

Probably the vacuum pump or the duck bill valves. On our Carver we had a similar problem. Water was running and vacuum pump was running but it would not build pressure to flush. Replaced the 4 duck bill valves per toilet and they work great now. The vacu-flush heads are great when they work but there is a lot that can wrong with them.

Re: Vacu-Flush head not working
 

Yeah, that was the first thing I checked.....


Thanks for all the advice. I will look into the problem this next weekend! At least now I have a starting point.

Re: Vacu-Flush head not working
 

So I was able to look at the system this weekend. I turned on the breakers down in the cabin. I heard the vacuum pump turn on and it just kept running. It seemed like the system never built up enough vacuum to shut off the pump.

Is there a common spot where they develop air leaks? What about these duck bill valves, where are they located?

Thanks
Don

Re: Vacu-Flush head not working
 

The duck bill valves are inside the discharge hose with 2 on each side of the pump. Not that hard to change but you have to make sure they seal back up or they will form air leaks. We ordered ours online but I can not remember where from. The vacuum pump should pump between 40-60 times to build up pressure and shut off after that.

Re: Vacu-Flush head not working
 

What do you mean inside the discharge hose? Are they back by the vacuum pump of inside by the head?

Sorry for all of the questions but I am new to this system...

Thanks for all of your help!

Re: Vacu-Flush head not working
 

Every once in a while mine will develop a small leak at the top of the pump. There's a couple of white fittings on the top that make a seal to the top of the tank. See if one of those are leaking. I'm not sure but you may also have a spring loaded screw/cap type device on the top. Push down on that and release it to see if it seals off as well.

Re: Vacu-Flush head not working
 

Mine was leaking on the top of the tank past the spring loaded vacuum relief valve. Dirt falls into these valves, and then gets in between the valve and the seal, and then they leak. A new one cost $100. You can spray water around it to see if it is sucking the water around the valve.

Check this out http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ight=vacuflush

Also, the vacuflush in the Fastech boats is not the same as some of the bigger boats, so not all the parts are the same.
Garrett

Re: Vacu-Flush head not working
 

I agree, my next suggestion was going to be to call Vacu-Flush and talk to them. We found a dealer in Texas that was very helpful. I can not remember the dealers name but the guy we spoke to was Ron. He was like the head of the chitters or something like that. Very knowledgeable and helpful guy.

That is exactly where they are. On ours, there were two on each side of the vacuum pump. On the smaller systems they have only one valve on each side. Ours went south after about 6 years and we have replaced them again since. I want to say it was like $60 for a set of Duck Bills. Pretty easy fix and the heads have been working great since then.

I will try to find the name of the dealer that we talked to. I know I have it down at the boat but will not be going there until this weekend.

Re: Vacu-Flush head not working
 

"Should be in the engine compartment in front of the engines up against the "back seat". Black tank, white hoses. It does make an obvious thumping sound when priming the pump"

Question: why is holding tank mounted right in front of engines? You can never have enough room around engines to work on, impellors, etc. Can tank be moved elsewhere?

Re: Vacu-Flush head not working
 

short answer...No

not in a FasTech. No single other spot in the bilge big enough, and you do occasionally need to get at it.

Re: Vacu-Flush head not working
 

So the "porta potti" w/ pumpout style has a small tank right at the stool & eliminates the bulky tank in engine compartment?

Re: Vacu-Flush head not working
 

yes, and I would choose that myself if I had a choice for simplicity and to keep the space open in front of the engines. My boat had the VF, and that's OK. It's not like it's been a detriment.

the women dig the classy effect of the vaccuuflush "real bowl" and push-button (or lever) convenience.

I have also found they feel a little more involved with the boat in knowing the sequence of turning on the pump and FW breakers ect. ie: operating a boat system on their own.

but that doesn't mean "squat" (pun intended) when you want to get in front of those engines though.

Re: Vacu-Flush head not working
 

Rippum - thks for comments. I'm looking for boat #6 for our family. Have been eyeing 353's.
I made a list of "must have's" for my next boat. And one of them was adequate work room in front of engine.
I'll just have to take into consideration. Dave