I had a problem with my Y-Valve on my boat. Since it' illegal to discharge in the lake I just removed the valve completely. So my head only pumps waste into the holding tank. The problem I have is I cannot get a vacum built to actually pump out the head. I'm not sure if it ever worked because I never tried to pump out the head before I removed that y valve.

All of my hoses come into the top of my holding tank. The inlet (from toilet) the outlet (to pump out on deck) and the vent (thru hull). Since they all come into the top there is a common air pocket above the waste. No matter what I do I can't build vacuum to pump out the tank.

When I put vacum hose in the waste hole on the deck to pump out it's pulling air from the toilet. I've tried to put a little water in the toilet to plug the hole but it just pulls the water from the toilet and nothing from the tank. Then I tried to plug the line that runs to the toilet thinking this would act as if I was closing the Y valve I removed. With this plugged I could hear the vacum being created but I could also hear the same air rushing in from the vent tube in the side of the hull.

I'm no physics major but I just can't see how this ever worked with all three connections on the top of the holding tank. The air is naturally going to take the path of least resistance, which is likely why it's just pulling air from the vent tube.

It would seem the suction or waste hose should be at the bottom of the tank below the waste so it could pull out the crap and the vent hose would let air in to replace the waste.

Any thoughts? What am I missing? Is it possible there used to be a tube in the holding tank that extended to the bottom which may have fell off?

Thanks,.

Make sure you don't have the inlet and pump out ports mixed up, providing all connections are tight with no air leaks.The inlet hose will discharge inside the tank right at the top. The pumpout hose, while located at the top, will have a tube inside the tank that extends to almost the bottom. Make sure your vent is clear, otherwise you risk collapsing your tank for the vacuum.

That must be my problem then, my outlet hose does not extend to the bottom of the tank. When I pulled the top section of my tank apart all three hoses end right at the top. The tube that extends to the bottom of the tank must have fell off.

Thanks!

Might see if you don't have port along the bottom that might be capped off that you could use. Don't know how the inside tubes are attached when mounted at the tank top.

Sounds like a stinky and sh*tty problem there buddy.

Unfortunately there isn't that was the first thing I thought of.

No doubt Zac, I think this is job I could use your help with... I need someone to stick their hand down in the **** while I'll drink a beer and supervise.

I had the same problem, the tube that drops down to the bottom of the tank fell off. I replaced that tube and works great. I was advised to cut the bottom of the down spout as an angle to help prevent anything from clogging it. Its been a couple years now and its still working great. I left the one that fell off in the tank, I fished around for it a little and couldn't hit with the rod I had so it stayed in there, hasn't created any problems yet. It's cetainly a sh*tty job, one that I hope has to never be done again.

Good Luck

For anyone who may be interested I have a portable pump out that can be rolled right down the dock. It has been used one time & I don't need it anymore. Randy