Duckbills done!

[DWABoat]

Okay. Been kinda dreading this little task for various, uh, reasons.
My Vacuflush was running a long time to get the vacuum and only holding it about 8-10 seconds before starting again.
I just got the boat in August, so I knew about the process.

I currently have both engines out for resealing transom assemblies, so the time is right for duckbills. It will never be easier.

Everything came apart easy. As soon as I opened the first valve in the line, this is what I saw.


The little white disk is one of those wafer like waxy paper washers seen in the cap to a bleach bottle or something like that.

I guess the previous owner poured some bleach or detergent in the head and didn’t realize the washer fell in the toilet.

Oh well. Easy job. In fact it was all very clean and easy. I had treated with Noflex Digester a few weeks ago, so maybe that cleaned and deodorized the pipes for me.

If interested, I used the following kits for all four valves. Perfect match.

 

[dtfeld]

Good off season project! Nice work!

 

[Boatingnut]

You should consider replacing the bellows and gaskets. I think there is a nylon sleeve on the pump arm that wears out. Bellows fail just as often as everything else. If you can get to it, do it now.

 

[be_prepared]

Congratulations! Replacing the duck bills on a vacuflush is a right of passage. It's not quite like a King Neptune level passage across the equator, you're still a pollywog, but it does feel like you've accomplished a dirty but necessary boat job. If you don't, and the head fails on the hook at 2am when the admiral needs it... well, you know the consequences.

 

[DWABoat]

You should consider replacing the bellows and gaskets. I think there is a nylon sleeve on the pump arm that wears out. Bellows fail just as often as everything else. If you can get to it, do it now.

Since most of the liquid contents of the bellows poured in my socket set because I’m an idiot, I should go ahead and change them.
Good idea.
I will get some prices. I think that kit is pretty expensive.

 

[Sublimetime]

There are bellows and check valve duckbills on Heart and Lung machines in the hospital that are not nearly as expensive as the replacement parts for our vacuflush. It feels like highway robbery with the prices we pay for these actual 2 dollar pcs of rubber.

 

[stephens013]

Opened mine up last week due to lack of vacume. Darned if the last dude doing this nasty ass job just didn't replace the last duckbill. Surprise, surprise.
I checked the bellows, call the manufacture about serviced life and so on. Essentially they said if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Good on you for A job well done.

 

[DWABoat]

Thanks. Next up...changing all four solenoids on the two trim pumps. Easy task right now. When the motors are back in, its almost impossible to even see the port side pump.

 

[endless seas]

Good story with a happy (ending).

 

[villain style]

Good story with a happy (ending).

You said Happy Ending!

 

[endless seas]

I did, glad you picked up on that LOL LOL

 

[mobocracy]

You should consider replacing the bellows and gaskets. I think there is a nylon sleeve on the pump arm that wears out. Bellows fail just as often as everything else. If you can get to it, do it now.

I did my duckbills the first summer I owned the boat (the boat itself was 10 years old) and my bellows were pretty shot. I was glad I got a complete rebuild kit and I ordered a second kit to keep on hand. Compared to the cost of everything else it's not that expensive and you have all the replacement parts you'd need.

 

[DWABoat]

I have decided to change the bellow also.
Fortunately, this 280 has the V6’s so it is not difficult to access the Vacuflush pump system when the motors are in. However, it is actually comfortable and cozy sitting on my padded work seat in the bilge listening to music doing all this maintenance. I’m doing everything I can right now!