Toilet/waste issues

[Innominata]

We are on our first overnight trip with our new to us 510 Sundancer. Last night my wife noticed an unpleasant odor when returning to the boat. She has a more sensitive sense of smell than I do, and I didn't really notice it. Today I did, though, and when I opened the bilge to investigate I found a pretty big mess thatvseems to be emanating from one of the two vacuum pump generators. I know have a big mess to clean up, but I'm not finding much to figure out how to troubleshoot the problem. There's a lot of info about problems with maintaining vacuum, but I don't have that problem. I'm not sure where to start. Any ideas?

 

[dwna1a]

Hoses and their connections are a good place to start. Is it fluid and waste in the bilge? Could the holding tank be full?

 

[Innominata]

Hoses and their connections are a good place to start. Is it fluid and waste in the bilge? Could the holding tank be full?

It is waste and fluid in the bilge. The holding tank was emptied a few days before this trip while showing it was 3/4 full. We didn't notice a problem unitl a couple of days into the trip.

 

[Innominata]

The toilets have been functioning normally as far as you can tell from inside the boat, other than the smell and mess in the bilge.

 

[bbwhitejr]

If it is coming from a vacuum generator, it is either a hose fitting, or the bellows….Does the generator build pressure and stop pumping? Try flushing some clear water and watch it while your wife steps on the pedal.

Bennett

 

[Innominata]

If it is coming from a vacuum generator, it is either a hose fitting, or the bellows….Does the generator build pressure and stop pumping? Try flushing some clear water and watch it while your wife steps on the pedal.

Bennett

After doing your test I'm guessing it's the bellows, based on where I saw it leaking from. At least we have another head to get us home! I wanted to finish enjoying Cedar Point with the family before tackling this unsavory chore...

 

[Innominata]

From inside the boat it seems that everything is working normally.

 

[Steve S]

It is waste and fluid in the bilge. The holding tank was emptied a few days before this trip while showing it was 3/4 full. We didn't notice a problem unitl a couple of days into the trip.

FYI. It’s illegal to dump waste overboard. If your bilge pump pushes it overboard, that isn’t good and if the Coast Guard catches you it’s a major fine.

 

[Innominata]

Thankfully I was aware of that. Nothing went overboard.