Black Water Vent Hose Problem - Episode 44
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- čas přidán 1. 08. 2022
- Episode 44 - Filmed July 25th, 2022
My 4th or 5th attempt to conquer the bad odor that comes when we flush our marine toilet. Is it a problem with the vent hose? I welcome your comments.
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Boat Specs:
- Model: 2004 Chris Craft 33 Express Cruiser
- Length overall: 34 feet
- Beam: 11' 10''
- Dry Weight: 12,000 lbs
- Fuel Capacity: 210 gallons
- Draft: 3' 2''
- Overhead clearance: 9' 7''
- Engines: Twin Volvo Penta 5.7Gi liter, raw water cooled, 300 HP each
- Generator: Next Gen UCM2 - 5.5kw @ 60 Hz, diesel powered, 2800 RPM
- Shore Power: 2 x 30 Amp, 120 V connections
- Freshwater Holding Tank: 41 gallons
- Waste (black-water) Holding Tank: 35 gallons
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There should be a charcoal filter between the tank and your vent to the outside. Replace every year and you shouldn't have a problem.
Thanks for watching and commenting. We do not have a filter and while I thought about adding one I think we actually solved the problem once and for all but won’t be able to confirm until spring.
I had similar problem. I was told I should wrap the hoses with celophane plastic, but that didn't work that well, even replaced the hoses which was a bit expensive. I finallyb replaced the tolilet with a composting toilet, and and replaced the holding tank (removed the hoses) with a new one, now used for fresh water, which gave me an additional 25 gallons of fresh water. No more pompout, no more sewer smell.
Checking the seal on the level sensor and increasing the vent elbow diameter are good. Also, remove the vent hose from the tank again, extend the hose with an additional piece and blow through it. If you get a lot of resistance, the hull side vent is clogged. The snake won't get the far up.
Thanks John. I literally just replaced the elbow fitting today but it didn’t solve the problem. I did managed to get the snake all the way up there and I have blown it threw and there hasn’t been resistance. I think I’m replacing the hoses when it’s on the hard.
If you have good enough ventilation to the waste tank you wont get (much) bad smells, people fit small air vents which causes anaerobic conditions inside the tank which = stink. With enough gas exchange its mostly aerobic inside the tank. 2 vent pipes is a great way to get proper gas exchange or use a larger bore vent pipe 1 1/2" minimum.
Thanks for the feedback. I think we might have finally “solved” the issue late last year with another thorough blowout of the vent and several major doses of a different product than one of our subscribers suggested though I don’t remember the name at the moment. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Thanks for doing most of our grunt work!
Grunt is the correct adjective
+1 for hoses, they have a life.
I’ve got one more card to play and then maybe do the hoses in the off-season
Since it appears there are no leaks from any of the hoses...one other thing to check would be the float sensor gasket on top of the tank. If that gasket is blown, odors can easily escape from there and enter the engine room. 3 or 4 screws, lift that out, put in a new gasket and test.
Never thought to check that! Thanks Chad! I really hope that's it. It does make a lot of sense now that you're saying that.
@@eternitysshore Hope that helps Jeff...keep us posted!
I had the same problem on the Dream. I added a charcoal filter to the vent between the tank and the vent and it cleared it right up.
I’ve thought about this but am not 100% sure that’s the problem. It might be the hoses.
Had the same smell in ours.it was the large cap on the top of the tank it did not seal properly.put overlapping layers of gorilla tape to go over the cap and surrounding surface. Smell gone.
I really hope it becomes that easy after all this work! Wisco boater seems to think something similar might be happening. I'll find out this weekend maybe.
another culprit...could be the bellows which sits in the black "plastic" can like bowl where the pump sits and where the duck bills are. if the inside white plastic bellow cracks...the bowl will not flush all the stuff to the tank.
Thanks David! I think we found the problem and it's actually the elbow joint that goes into the tank and connects to the vent. The vent hose is larger in diameter than the joint and we think air is leaking out from there every time the toilet is flushed. I am waiting for that part and hope to replace this week. The video explaining all that is next in the queue.
Just a thought from a total amateur is that I’ve e always been told to have any hose clamps on opposite sides of any hose because if not you are leaving one side not quite as sealed as other? Hope u fix it, I’m only half way thru video!
Good call Stephen. I generally do that on the hoses unless they are in tighter spots where I can’t easily get a screwdriver on it. I know a couple of times I’ve been lax on that though. Thanks for watching and commenting.
My bet are the hoses. They look to be the original Vacuflush hoses which have a short life when it comes to permeability. Join Trawler Forum…there is a lot of information there. Also, the book called Get Rid of Boat Odors by Peggie Hall is a must read. Its in its second edition and with a pre-title of “The New”. Good luck.
Thanks a lot! Great info. They are I believe original hoses. Might have to wait until off season to do it. There is one 1-2 foot section of the hose where I’m not sure how to access.
100% those flexi pvc hoses. I just replaced ours on our narrowboat with vetus butyl hoses. Odour has totally disappeared. Not cheap but absolutely worth it. Those pvc ones permeate.
Yep, vacuflush hoses are saturated…..
10 year replacement is recommended.
Yeah. I think you’re right. I’ve basically tried everything else. We’ll have to try that in March or April before we put the boat back in.
Big job to change the marine sanitation hoses....but worth it!
Heat gun makes removal & installation a lot easier.
Not sure if you solved the smell problem already but the hoses can get smelly themselfs if they get too old. It is advised to chance them every 10 years or so.
We eventually mostly solved the smell problem. As much as I thought it might be the hoses we are confident that it is not the main problem.
Before we installed big orange, the smell was always outside the boat at the vent. It's strange that you are smelling it inside the engine compartment.
Yeah, I don't know what's going on.
I agree it’s strange usually it’ll burp back through the toilet not in the engine compartment
Add a vent hose filter, and black water enzymes
Yes. Planning on having someone add a filter
Hey on my boat like yours I have a macerator style not a vacuum flash but I do notice when the tank is full we’re getting close to four you will get odors are you close to full when this happens or is it all the time also your vent might not be completely clear try shooting compressed air thru your vent from the outside In
The smell is present whether or not the tank is full when the toilet is flushed. I guess I could try compressed air but I think I got most of the stuff out.
Hope you solve the issue.
It doesn’t look like it completely worked. Maybe I need to go with the orange filter.
I absolutely feel your pain. We have been going around in circles with our black tank issues and have been watching a million youtube videos to learn as much as I can about these systems. Any advice from anyone on our issues much appreciated. Our diagnosis video is here : czcams.com/video/AJgTR45qfOs/video.html
Misery loves company! I watched your video. Here is my only suggestion and this is based on our trial and error. And what I am sharing with you has in no way been full proof...however we've used a very generous amount of NoFlex Digestor Boat and RV Sewage Treatment. We followed the instructions exactly as they were given. AND, I am regularly blowing out our vent hose (we can't reach it to dismantle it) using our shop-vac in both directions. So far that has proven the most helpful. If the smell occurs almost immediately when you flush but is not constant, it had to be the vent leaking air somehow. Hope this helps!
My boat has a filter that vents to the open air. Have you repaced that filter yet?
There is no filter. It’s just a hose that vents. I’m probably going to get the orange filter system in the off season.
@@eternitysshore Interesting. We still have 2 months!!! If it is that bad throw an inline filter on there. Forum says piece of PVC (looks like 1 1/2), 2 end caps w/ nipples for the hoses, fill it with fish tank charcoal a foam piece in each end
Thanks Todd. I think it’s good to look at all angles. The challenge is that I’m about 90% sure that it’s the hoses and so I don’t want to take the time to do something that probably won’t work and is temporary. And the smell is not strong all the time.
What worked?
We've used a very generous amount of NoFlex Digestor Boat and RV Sewage Treatment. We followed the instructions exactly as they were given. AND, I am regularly blowing out our vent hose (we can't reach it to dismantle it) using our shop-vac in both directions. So far that has proven the most helpful but not always full proof.
try Noflex Digestor before you spend the money on hoses .If the smell was all the time it would be hoses but only when you pump means you have a air leak in tank wall or fitting and its venting gas into space . Vent filter works only on outside vent discharge smells . Question is it possible the smells are coming back into the boat from the outside vent?
Thanks for the comments. We have been using something similar to Noflex. Smells are definitely not coming back in from the vent. Hard to know what’s going on.
I watched your video closer and your tank did pressurize when the pump was on suggest you increase your vent tanks size fitting and hose .Replace your hull fitting on vent get it bigger an no fine screen (no screen is best ). Noticed you also have dryed waste on top of tank ether from over filling or bad weather . Dump tank before it gets to the 3/4 mark Your hoses may need to be replaced but they are not this problem .If you add charcoal filter in a easy serviceable spot and replace your hull fitting on vent get it bigger an no fine screen . Try Noflex its different and what is it similar to ? g f @@eternitysshore
@TheSeaQ thanks for watching. These are good suggestions. One of the main challenges is that I cannot reach the vent. I think doing the charcoal filter thing is a good next step as well.
put another vent in where you can get to on top of tank and a new hull vent fitting
@@eternitysshore
@@TheSeaQ I might hire out for this. We’re still not 100% sure what the problem or problems are. I literally just replaced the duck bill valves again yesterday because the stink is now also bad down in the cabin.
Why didn’t you try compressed air into the vent hose?
That’s a great idea. I didn’t have any. I’m still not sure what the problem is after trying a bunch of different things. Thanks for your comment.
@@eternitysshore well, I just bought my third boat, a 35 foot Ponderosa 35 and I have the same problem. I expect it’s the hoses but I have so many other little to do things on my list. I don’t know when I’ll get to changing them. At least, in my case I am seriously considering a composting toilet, as I know a few people that are very satisfied that they switched over to one. Good luck.
@@victorjcano thanks. And congrats on the new boat. Btw. If it helps, My local mechanic has told me that he thinks it’s rarely the hoses that cause the stink unless the stink is always present. If it only happens when you flush its most likely the air displacement from the tank so checking the vent and all the connections is where to start. I am considering getting a charcoal filter though I’m not convinced it will solve the problem. Good luck to you as well.
Add charcoal filter.
Yeah, that might be the offseason project along with the hoses.