waste tank vent clogged?

Tom wieland

New Member
Sep 2, 2019
24
Boat Info
1996 370 Searay Sundancer
Engines
454 Mercruisers
went to get my last pump out before pulling my 370 Sun Dancer and the holding tank just about collapsed. Replaced filter for $$$ and still didn't let air into tank. put vacuum on either end of filter and found that it wasn't the filter but from end of filter to the "outside vent " on boat?? not sure where in that line it is clogged? any ideas?? or how to get it un clogged?
 
Can you get an air compressor and blow from the vent to the tanks. Should also be easy to pull the hose and clean or replace
 
If you have good access to your filter...... and the filter connections are the same as a garden hose...... I'd hook up a garden hose and let'r rip and see if that doesn't clear the clog.

You can do that both ways...... into the tank and towards your vent.
 
went to get my last pump out before pulling my 370 Sun Dancer and the holding tank just about collapsed. Replaced filter for $$$ and still didn't let air into tank. put vacuum on either end of filter and found that it wasn't the filter but from end of filter to the "outside vent " on boat?? not sure where in that line it is clogged? any ideas?? or how to get it un clogged?

When I bought my present boat the holding tank vent line was clogged.

At the filter end I connected a water hose hooked to city water, and turned on, still clogged. I left the water on, went outside to the vent. Took a piece of .040 stainless safety wire and began working it into the vent line. Started seeing dirt come out, so I knew it had a bug's nest built up in it. I just kept working the wire more and more breaking away the dirt, and soon water started flowing out with lots of mud. Got a nice clean stream going, then turned off the water and reconnected everything.

Took a small piece of scotchbrite material and placed in the vent end on the side of the boat to allow air in and keep bugs out.
 
All my vents have screens in them. I'm surprised so many boats dont.
 
When I bought my present boat the holding tank vent line was clogged.

At the filter end I connected a water hose hooked to city water, and turned on, still clogged. I left the water on, went outside to the vent. Took a piece of .040 stainless safety wire and began working it into the vent line. Started seeing dirt come out, so I knew it had a bug's nest built up in it. I just kept working the wire more and more breaking away the dirt, and soon water started flowing out with lots of mud. Got a nice clean stream going, then turned off the water and reconnected everything.

Took a small piece of scotchbrite material and placed in the vent end on the side of the boat to allow air in and keep bugs out.
 
sounds good! will try that next week.!!
 
The vent isn't where the vacuum is relieved. That small little hose can't handle the air volume that a pump-out needs. There is a relief disc on the top of the tank; I think it is called a "Tanksaver". You need to remove that and either clean or replace. It is that disc looking fitting in the corner of the tank in this image
DHT-61L__83671.1322602009.jpg
 
The vent isn't where the vacuum is relieved. That small little hose can't handle the air volume that a pump-out needs. There is a relief disc on the top of the tank; I think it is called a "Tanksaver". You need to remove that and either clean or replace. It is that disc looking fitting in the corner of the tank in this image
DHT-61L__83671.1322602009.jpg
TT is correct and that disk has a foam filter over it. Make sure noting is covering it up. The vent line and the tank saver work together when pumping out.
 
When I bought my present boat the holding tank vent line was clogged.

At the filter end I connected a water hose hooked to city water, and turned on, still clogged. I left the water on, went outside to the vent. Took a piece of .040 stainless safety wire and began working it into the vent line. Started seeing dirt come out, so I knew it had a bug's nest built up in it. I just kept working the wire more and more breaking away the dirt, and soon water started flowing out with lots of mud. Got a nice clean stream going, then turned off the water and reconnected everything.

Took a small piece of scotchbrite material and placed in the vent end on the side of the boat to allow air in and keep bugs out.
My wife had a bug up her ass, maybe that's what did it for me.
 
I had this issue when I first bought my current boat and found that the through hull had broken off and that the PO had plugged the line end. It was totally out of sight.

One day when down in the ER I looked at the tank and it looked like a pillow and sounded like a ripe melon about to burst.

Relieving that pressure without having a $hit volcano was interesting and a tragedy narrowly averted.
 
TT is correct and that disk has a foam filter over it. Make sure noting is covering it up. The vent line and the tank saver work together when pumping out.

My 1997 330Da did not have a tank saver and the tank was slightly collapsed due to high strength pump out's overwhelming the vent line over the years. But you can buy them and they are easy to install. I got mine at West Marine.
https://www.dometic.com/en-ca/ca/pr...itation/accessories/dometic-tanksaver-_-25365
 
thanks, just ordered it . my tank doesn't have one! but will now!
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,945
Messages
1,422,737
Members
60,928
Latest member
rkaleda
Back
Top