vacuflush leak and smell in head unit

[cpoint]

Here we are, question #3. 2000 carver 356 aft cabin. Vacuflush unit issues. Last week I replaced the water valve (pedal-flush) because clean water was leaking out from it to floor out of unit. Simple inexpensive change and I was happy. Now the front has issues. Not sure same issue so I ordered the same water valve part and also seal replacement. Here is the problem, since purchase (1.5 months ago) front head was flashing full few days after pump-out, even though not used. Now smell started coming out of it. And I had it pump-out 4 times in 1.5 months already. The water seems to stay in bowl, so it's not leaking, but something is leaking and tank indicator shows its getting full. So I am assuming its the valve, unlike stern, maybe this time it is leaking into the tank, as that would make sense tank is filling up. Not sure I need to replace the seal as the water seems to stay in bowl, but how can smell come through if that's the case? maybe 2 separate issues, leakage being one that fills the holding tank, and seal causing smell issue? Any ideas from anyone is greatly appreciate it.

[Phoneill]

We have a 2000 Carver 506. We noticed soon after purchase that there was an unpleasant smell in the main cabin. Turns out the hoses to the holding tank will eventually fail and leech the smell. We had the hoses replaced (no small feat, since they are not 100% accessible) and viola, smell gone.

I am not the most knowledgeable about this but if you want more info, I can ask my husband to hop on to the forum and respond to any questions you have.

Pam

[Viper]

You might have more than one issue. Hoses will definitely contribute to lingering smells. The question is, do you notice a bad odour only after you flush, or is it a lingering one that is always there? If it's always there, it's a permeation issue and hoses will likely need to be replaced. If the odour appears only after a flush and then dissipates, you have a leak, likely the sensor/vent assembly on the tank, or vent discharge is making its way into the boat from outside. A clogged hose will also cause smells to back up while the ball is in the open position.

It's unlikely that your tank will fill with water from the bowl at a static state unless your bowl is leaking past the ball, your water valve is leaking into the bowl, and you have a leak in the vacuum system all at the same time. This would allow a constant flow into the bowl, leak past the ball, and the vacuum generator cycling often and dumping all the water into the holding tank. This would also drain your fresh water tank over time unless you are running off of dockside water. When you are not using the system, does the pump come on periodically?

You might also have a sensor problem. Have you confirmed during a "FULL" reading that the tank is actually full?

[cpoint]

Pam, Thank you for the reply. Let me check couple things first.

Viper, thank you for detailed reply. It seems to be a lingering smell, but it just started last week. I believe FULL reading is correct, because when pump out, it does remove approximately correct amount. I am confused though if the power is off and not connected to the dock water, should the water not run? How can I shut off the water? I thought once the power is off to the head that the water would not run, even with faulty water valve. Does the water from tank still find it's way to the head via gravity? since power is off to the head, there is no vacuum, at least I do not think so.
I did get new water valve, so I will replace that tomorrow. Hopefully that should at least not allow water into the bowl/tank when not flushing. If that resolves the issue than I will work on the smell issue, check the hoses, float, etc.

[g36]

Turning the power off to the vacuflush doesn't do anything but turn off the pump. Water pressure is still there if you have your water pump on or you are connected to the dock water. There wont be any gravity flow of water. Water will have to make its way through the bowl seal. If the bowl is holding water that is not leaking. I dont thing changing the water valve will help. As bad as it may sound you need to find the holding tank and visually check the level. Standing by when the tank is pumped out is not really knowing how full the tank is. the tank watch sensors can read incorrectly all they are is 3 floats on a tube in the tank. You may need to remove and clean them to have them read the levels correctly. Can't say this is enjoyable but it's not that big a deal to do. It's better to have them working than not.
You will still have vacuum on the head with the switch is off unless you have a vacuum leak it should be able to hold a vacuum whether its on or off.

[cpoint]

g36, Thank you for info. That may explain some of the issue. Although I turnoff everything, while I am there I do have either dock water hooked up or power the pump to use water. So it probably leaks to tank at that time.As far as tank holding water I have to double check, several times it was empty, and several times I did notice the water was in bowl 24 hours later. I will head out there today to check on some of these, including tank itself, hose and sensors. Looking forward to that Just out of curiosity, what will happen if it overfills when I am not there? I am afraid I may not want to know the answer to that.... Is there a chance it will overflow from somewhere (tank or head)?

[g36]

As far as the dock water don't ever leave the boat connected with it turned on. If you had a hose come loose etc you would ho p e the bilge pumps will handle it but if they die it's not going to be good. If it's the boats pressure pump, well at least it will just drain the tank.
The holding tank has a vent and it over fills and nothing plugs the vent it would flow overboard but that if the small hose doesn't get blocked
See how long with water off to the head that water remains in the bowl. It should not go away as you will know you have a leak it should easily stay overnight and longer. If the water valve is letting water through you should see the water in the bowl rise until it overflows if the bowl seal is good.

[Viper]

Source of the post .....visually check the level. Standing by when the tank is pumped out is not really knowing how full the tank is. the tank watch sensors can read incorrectly all they are is 3 floats on a tube in the tank. You may need to remove and clean them to have them read the levels correctly.....

Agreed. Very common for the floats to stick.

I very much doubt that you have water filling your holding tank through the head in a static state but I've run into stranger things

[cpoint]

Here we are, just came back from the boat. its a good hour drive up to it. I checked everything through this time. Since Sunday the bowl had the same water left in it. However the indicator was orange (middle) on Sunday, this time was blinking red (right). I checked and tank was pretty full of water. There was maybe room for another 2-4 gallons left in it. So I believe the indicator is indicating correctly. I am assuming seals are good as the water was still in the bowl. So I did check with pressurization off and no dock water, after flushing and keeping the flusher in open state, I could see there was very minor but somewhat constant water drip/runoff. Since I did get the new valve today, I replaced it and when I check afterwards, no water drip/runoff in side the head (when flusher in open position with all pressurization shut off). Also there was no smell today in the bathroom or under the floor where the tank is. So not sure what that was about, but at this point the tank was pumped out at least 3 times with the water that was filled in from runoff last 3 weeks. Unfortunately at the late hour pump out was not possible, so I am hoping that it is resolved and will not continue, as it will be 2 days before I go back to it. Thanks to all the replies and advice.

[Viper]

Still doesn't make sense that the tank would fill up with no pressure in the system and all the other conditions that would need to occur for that to happen.

When this happens, have you checked your fresh water tank to see if the level has dropped? Best to shut everything off, open a tap to depressurize the system, fill the water tank to the rim, walk away for a few days, then return and open the deck fitting to see if the water level has gone down. It shouldn't.

When you fill your water tank, are you sure it's the correct deck fitting that is being used? Does the issue coincide with having filled the water tank recently? If the deck fitting covers are the same size, they may have been swapped by mistake at one time and you're actually filling the holding tank. Seen it happen so I had to ask.

Interesting one though! Please keep us posted.