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Old 15-08-2017, 09:28   #1
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No flushing water to head

I bought a Cal 27 earlier this year and I've been cleaning, repairing and refitting the boat all summer.

One aggravation is that I'm not getting any water to the toilet pump. The through-hull fitting is open but I don't see any water in the hose (it's clear).

The head is above the water line, so water will not naturally fill the hose. Do I need to prime the hose before it will draw water from the lake? Or, should it draw water naturally? Do I need to replace the pump on the toilet?

The toilet will pump water out of the bowl, but does not draw flushing water.

I don't need a brand name anywhere on the toilet. Any troubleshooting tips are appreciated.
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Old 15-08-2017, 09:28   #2
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Re: No flushing water to head

FYI, the toilet could be original equipment, so it may be 30 years old.
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Old 15-08-2017, 09:32   #3
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Re: No flushing water to head

Is this a manual pump or an electric flush?

Manual Pump uses a diaphram. Electric uses an impellor. If it's an eletric flush, try pouring some water down the head and letting it sit for a while, then try flushing to see if that works.

Both the diaphram style and impellor style need to be replaced every few years.

Get a rebuild kit and rebuild it and it will more than likely resolve the issue.
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Old 15-08-2017, 10:13   #4
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Re: No flushing water to head

First take the hose off the thru hull and open it. If water comes in the thru hull is ok. If not the thru hull is plugged. Clear it out. If water is coming in then it's the pump.
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Old 15-08-2017, 10:19   #5
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Re: No flushing water to head

Chances are good that the head pump is shot....they don't last forever.

Simple test as Vasco said, or blow into the water hose and see if you can bubble outside of the boat.
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Old 15-08-2017, 12:28   #6
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Re: No flushing water to head

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shrew View Post
Is this a manual pump or an electric flush?

Manual Pump uses a diaphram. Electric uses an impellor. If it's an eletric flush, try pouring some water down the head and letting it sit for a while, then try flushing to see if that works.

Both the diaphram style and impellor style need to be replaced every few years.

Get a rebuild kit and rebuild it and it will more than likely resolve the issue.
It is a manual pump. As I mentioned, it flushes the bowl, but does not suck water in. I'll try to blow air out the hose and see if the thru-hull is blocked.

Thanks
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Old 15-08-2017, 12:29   #7
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Re: No flushing water to head

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Originally Posted by Vasco View Post
First take the hose off the thru hull and open it. If water comes in the thru hull is ok. If not the thru hull is plugged. Clear it out. If water is coming in then it's the pump.
I will check that out this week. Thanks
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Old 15-08-2017, 12:32   #8
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Re: No flushing water to head

You know there's going to be a valve on that thru hull, right? See if it's open or closed.
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Old 15-08-2017, 13:12   #9
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Re: No flushing water to head

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You know there's going to be a valve on that thru hull, right? See if it's open or closed.
As I mentioned in the OP, thru-hull is open. But the toilet is above the water line so water is not visible in the feed hose.
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Old 15-08-2017, 15:49   #10
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Re: No flushing water to head

If you can post a photo of the PUMP (all bowls look alike) from the top, I can ID it including approx. age. Whether to replace or renew depends on both age and brand...if it's more than a few years old, you're better off replacing it.

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Old 15-08-2017, 17:49   #11
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Re: No flushing water to head

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Originally Posted by peghall View Post
If you can post a photo of the PUMP (all bowls look alike) from the top, I can ID it including approx. age. Whether to replace or renew depends on both age and brand...if it's more than a few years old, you're better off replacing it.

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I think replacing the pump is a great idea in any case. I just need to identify it. I will post a photo tomorrow night.
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Old 15-08-2017, 18:16   #12
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Re: No flushing water to head

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigjim View Post
As I mentioned in the OP, thru-hull is open. But the toilet is above the water line so water is not visible in the feed hose.
Well, a "thru hull" is one thing, a valve or seacock is something else.
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Old 15-08-2017, 23:54   #13
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Re: No flushing water to head

Many manual toilets have a lever that allows you to pump the bowl dry without bringing in any more water. Is yours set to "Dry Bowl"? If it is, flip the lever the other way and I bet you'll get water.

Do yourself a favor and buy Peggie's book.
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Old 16-08-2017, 15:14   #14
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Re: No flushing water to head

Can you disconnect the intake hose at the toilet end and lower the end to below the waterline to check for water flow...or close the inlet valve and disconnect the hose at the valve end and either some water will run out of the hose or you can carefully open the valve to see if water flows in. If there is water seen raise the valve end of the hose and pour water in it to see if it flows to the bowl. That will identify if the intake hose is clogged.
A problem I had with my Jabsco manual head is that the flapper valve operated by the "wet/dry" toggle was not sealing properly in the "wet bowl" position due to being left in the "dry bowl" position for several years, mainly when not in use. Because of the resultant air leak I could not draw seawater into the bowl.
Once you identify the head model replacing the main pump gasket will fix this.
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Old 17-08-2017, 07:17   #15
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Re: No flushing water to head

See post # 13, my groco hd has this lever and if head is unused for a week or so no water fills the bowl......So I add abucket or2 and pump it out ,this sets all right again but of course the levers must be in the correct position.
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