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Old 22-03-2021, 04:50   #1
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Hard layer of crud in head and back filling

When I bought the boat the was some blue crud in the bowl which I didn't think much about removing. I used the toilet without cleaning and it now it's nice dark brown green.

I tried to clean it with a brush today but it would budge. I ended up using a paint scraper to lightly knock it off in flakes. I can't get any further down the bottom of the toilet and I can only imagine it's coating everything downstream.

Is it some sort of treatment when someone doesn't use the head for months? If so, how can I get rid of it? I tried leaving vinegar and bleach but no effect.

The toilet keeps backfilling nastiness if on waste tank. Otherwise just fills with seawater. I guess everything is gummed up.

It's groco type k. If that is useful.
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Old 22-03-2021, 06:36   #2
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Re: Hard layer of crud in head and back filling

Its all scaled up. You probably should plan on replacing hoses and rebuilding the head. You could try some acid to descale the head, but that will not descale the hoses.
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Old 22-03-2021, 07:32   #3
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Re: Hard layer of crud in head and back filling

Quote:
Originally Posted by WaldPinkler View Post

The toilet keeps backfilling nastiness if on waste tank. Otherwise just fills with seawater. I guess everything is gummed up.

.
I suspect this is an electric flush head. If so, the pump needs to be rebuilt. The same pump draws in raw water and also pushes the contents of the bowl to the holding tank. There is a seal which separates the two sides. If rebuilt incorrectly or if the seal goes, then you create loop where the bowl contents get drawn into the raw water side.

The only thing I can think of that would be blue would be holding tank chemicals.
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Old 22-03-2021, 09:34   #4
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Re: Hard layer of crud in head and back filling

Shrew, the Groco Model K is a manual toilet--the last of the solid bronze "thrones" still in production in the US. Last price I saw was about $1700...which may help to explain the $100-$300 price of rebuild kits. Groco Model K Groco Model K instructions

WaldPinkler...CLR might de-scale the bowl, but not the pump or the hoses. It's cheap enough to be worth trying. The hoses can be cleared with a 12-15% dilution of muriatic acid (available from any hardware store and FOLLOW ALL SAFE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETELY!!!), but will prob'ly require more than one application. So based on your description of the condition of the system when you bought the boat that it's only gotten worse since you've owned it, the smartest thing you can do is replace ALL the hoses and put a rebuild kit in the toilet.

The backflow only when on holding tank is most likely due to a blocked tank vent.

TANK VENT 101
All tank vents have two main functions: to provide an escape for air displaced by incoming contents and provide a source of air to replace contents as they're pulled out. When air displaced by incoming waste cannot escape out the vent the tank becomes pressurized, creating increasing back pressure that prevents the toilet from flushing.

Without a source of air to replace contents as they're being sucked out of the tank, the pump will pull a vacuum that'll prevent it from pulling out more than a gallon or two. A particularly strong pumpout can even implode a tank.

When air displaced by incoming waste cannot escape out the vent the tank becomes pressurized, creating increasing back pressure that prevents the toilet from flushing.

Do NOT use the toilet again or try to pump out or dump the tank until you've cleared the vent. Without a source of air to replace contents as they're being sucked out of the tank, the pump will pull a vacuum that'll prevent it from pulling out more than a gallon or two. A particularly strong pumpout can even implode a tank.

The two most common locations for a vent blockage are the vent thru-hull and the other end of the vent line--that end of the hose and the vent fitting on the tank. Start by cleaning out the thru-hull...use a screwdriver blade, ice pick--whatever works. If that doesn't result in a spew out the vent, you'll need to relieve the pressure before removing the vent line from the tank to clean them out...so open the deck pumpout fitting VERY CAREFULLY with a hose at the ready. Be sure you're UPwind of it! Scrape out that end of the vent line and the vent fitting on the tank...reconnect the vent line.

You're welcome to give me a shout via PM or email if you need to discuss in more detail than is practical in a discussion forum.

--Peggie
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Old 22-03-2021, 09:54   #5
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Re: Hard layer of crud in head and back filling

Just replace it.
Why wait?
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Old 22-03-2021, 17:15   #6
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Re: Hard layer of crud in head and back filling

I have experience with muriatic acid making a nice little hole in my arm. Saw it later that night and scratched skin out like it was cheese.

I'll give it a go when I can.
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