Yes, another VF question (apologies). FYI, I am a long time VF user and aside from occasional maintenance I have found the system to be very reliable. My issue today, however, is that one of my heads suddenly stopped flushing. The vacuum generator runs continuously but there is zero suction at the bowl. There are no visible obstructions in the bowl. Perhaps a clog at the pump? As with many boats, the pumps are a bit difficult to access so any guidance is helpful before I start tearing into things. Might a plunger be helpful to force through a clog? This was not a slow developing issue. It went from working perfectly to not working at all. Thank you.
Vacuflush troubleshooting
- Thread starter DPKCK
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There has to be an air leak somewhere, if a suction line is plugged enough to stop suction at the bowl, the pump should pull enough vacuum to shut to pump off, even if it were for a second or two. This is probably the most frustrating thing with a VF, Check the bellows on the pump and see if its cracked? - I have one head that the pump runs randomly every 5 to 15 minutes, I have checked everything with the exception of rebuilding the pump and can't find the air leak. That said- I am going to rebuild the pump 
If I have to pull the vacuum generator I will check everything including the bellows. I installed new bellows approx 7 years ago. Original was cracked but still generated vacuum. Reason I don’t think it is the bellows or a leak is the sudden nature of the issue. Clog seems more plausible, maybe on the outbound side of the pump???
That is definitely a possibility, how long of a run is it from the pump to the holding tank?
tiltrider1
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Since the pump runs and never stops it can only be one of two things. The vacuum switch has failed(not likely here as the toilet has no pressure). The only other possibility is no vacuum.
No vacuum is either bad bellows, bad duck bills or a leak. I would pull the inlet hose off the pump and see if it is sucking. No sucking means it’s the pump. If it’s sucking then you have a leak.
No vacuum is either bad bellows, bad duck bills or a leak. I would pull the inlet hose off the pump and see if it is sucking. No sucking means it’s the pump. If it’s sucking then you have a leak.
lwarden
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Can you view/hear the diaphragm motor rotating?
It's possible it's something stuck in the input or output duckbill as well if the motor and diaphragm are operating or a duckbill is inverted.
It's possible it's something stuck in the input or output duckbill as well if the motor and diaphragm are operating or a duckbill is inverted.
O C Diver
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As mentioned, pull the inlet hose off, switch on the pump, and check for vacuum at the inlet.
How long has it been since the diaphragm and valves have been replaced?
In my experience of cruising 8 months a year, replacing the diaphragm, all valves, and orings every 5 years eliminated repairs. The valves were replaced every 2 or 3 years.
It's much better to do preventative maintenance at a time and place of your choosing versus repairs.
Ted
How long has it been since the diaphragm and valves have been replaced?
In my experience of cruising 8 months a year, replacing the diaphragm, all valves, and orings every 5 years eliminated repairs. The valves were replaced every 2 or 3 years.
It's much better to do preventative maintenance at a time and place of your choosing versus repairs.
Ted
Try the plunger. It’s worked for me in the past.
I also made up a rubber stopper with a hose attachment I could use a dock water hose to power through the system. It’s probably just a lump of tp stuck in the jokers.
You never know what the clog might be though, especially if you’ve had people on the boat. Or kids that haven’t been on a boat before.
I also made up a rubber stopper with a hose attachment I could use a dock water hose to power through the system. It’s probably just a lump of tp stuck in the jokers.
You never know what the clog might be though, especially if you’ve had people on the boat. Or kids that haven’t been on a boat before.
tiltrider1
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I am guessing you never tried filling the bowl full of water and then doing a long flush to clean out the duck bills. It’s the first thing I try when the pump won’t stop running. I had assumed everyone knew this trick, sorry I didn’t mention it first.
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