Vacuflush bellows replacement.

[Air O'Nautical]

Little FYI for the DIYers..

Learned a little more about the most important boat system...the vacuflush head.
13+ years worth of experience with this type of head and still learned something new!
My vacuum pump bellows was cracked but, the system still worked 100% fine..
Some black water was seeping out the top of the pump when activated, making a mess in my bilge .
I always thought a failed bellows wouldn’t make any vacuum at all...I was wrong!

Replaced the bellows, duckbills, (2) O-rings and cleaned everything to look new.
The duckbills were fine but, I’m here sooo..why-not.
Also, crimped and sealed quick disconnects to the power wires for easy removal next time.

I’ll attribute the lack of terrible stench to use of No-flex digester. Sure wasn’t roses but, easily tolerable.

Head now rebuilds vacuum in 35 seconds flat. Was 45 seconds with the cracked bellows.

And, the replacement bellows internal part is physically smaller than the old part.
There is only one possible replacement available and was assured will work fine.

Happy trails,
Mark.

 

[pyro]

Good to know. Probably the one area of the boat I know nothing about! Mid season, mine stopped holding vacuum. I can hear it leaking past the black seal at bottom of bowl. I haven't looked into how to replace it yet. Figured I would procrastinate to the end of the season!

Did you replace the charcoal filter as well?

 

[Air O'Nautical]

I didn’t replace the vent line filter. Haven’t in years...no smell.
Filter seems to last a long time, if you don’t over fill the tank where it could possibly get wet with black water.

The head is one system I’ve been through thoroughly...not by choice
Actually it’s been great with little maintenance.

 

[marks737]

Little FYI for the DIYers..

Learned a little more about the most important boat system...the vacuflush head.
13+ years worth of experience with this type of head and still learned something new!
My vacuum pump bellows was cracked but, the system still worked 100% fine..
Some black water was seeping out the top of the pump when activated, making a mess in my bilge .
I always thought a failed bellows wouldn’t make any vacuum at all...I was wrong!

Replaced the bellows, duckbills, (2) O-rings and cleaned everything to look new.
The duckbills were fine but, I’m here sooo..why-not.
Also, crimped and sealed quick disconnects to the power wires for easy removal next time.

I’ll attribute the lack of terrible stench to use of No-flex digester. Sure wasn’t roses but, easily tolerable.

Head now rebuilds vacuum in 35 seconds flat. Was 45 seconds with the cracked bellows.

And, the replacement bellows internal part is physically smaller than the old part.
There is only one possible replacement available and was assured will work fine.

Mark.

 

[marks737]

Little FYI for the DIYers..

Learned a little more about the most important boat system...the vacuflush head.
13+ years worth of experience with this type of head and still learned something new!
My vacuum pump bellows was cracked but, the system still worked 100% fine..
Some black water was seeping out the top of the pump when activated, making a mess in my bilge .
I always thought a failed bellows wouldn’t make any vacuum at all...I was wrong!

Replaced the bellows, duckbills, (2) O-rings and cleaned everything to look new.
The duckbills were fine but, I’m here sooo..why-not.
Also, crimped and sealed quick disconnects to the power wires for easy removal next time.

I’ll attribute the lack of terrible stench to use of No-flex digester. Sure wasn’t roses but, easily tolerable.

Head now rebuilds vacuum in 35 seconds flat. Was 45 seconds with the cracked bellows.

And, the replacement bellows internal part is physically smaller than the old part.
There is only one possible replacement available and was assured will work fine.

Happy trails,
Mark.

I have a vacuum leak somewhere. I've replaced the duckbills and pressure switch and the unit still cylcles every 10 min. or so. Do you think replacing the bellows might fix the problem even though the bellows is not leaking through the top?

 

[brewster16]

It could be the bellows but my bet is that the duckbill valves aren’t seated well. I advise the use of silicone grease around the duckbill rims and do not over tighten the screw on big nut or you will crush and breach the rim on the duckbill valves.

 

[Air O'Nautical]

Only way to know is with the test gauge.

 

[markrsimon]

..Also, crimped and sealed quick disconnects to the power wires..

Did you use any special type of disconnect, or regular spade connectors? Been looking for a plug/socket for stuff like this, and the fresh water pump, etc..

 

[Air O'Nautical]

Did you use any special type of disconnect, or regular spade connectors? Been looking for a plug/socket for stuff like this, and the fresh water pump, etc..

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/ancor--nylon-snap-plugs--P009_275_004_012?recordNum=40