Tecma NOT emptying - help

[Midwaysailor]

Hi there,

Cruising Maine and our Tecma electric toilet just stopped emptying. It’s been working fine and no unusual, um, events that I know of. The control panel works, the water pump works, I hear the mascerator pump coming on, but the bowl will not empty.

Any suggestions, ideas greatly welcome as we are anchored remotely and need a quick fix. Thanks!

[GordMay]

Thetford “TECMA” Toilet Owner’s and Installation Manual(s)
➥ https://www.thetford.com/wp-content/...enceRV-Eng.pdf
➥ https://suitesowners.com/wp-content/...ser-Manual.pdf
➥ https://yacht-parts.ru/upload/iblock...struktsiya.pdf

[Tin Tin]

See page 17 of Manual - trouble shooting

[peghall]

A blocked holding tank vent may be the culprit. That will pressurize the system, creating back presssure that prevents the toilet from from flushing.


--Peggie

[Midwaysailor]

Originally Posted by peghall

A blocked holding tank vent may be the culprit. That will pressurize the system, creating back presssure that prevents the toilet from from flushing.


--Peggie

OK, that clicks….the tank mare a bang the first time we used it a few days ago. And now, this morning, it will emoty occasionally.

Thanks everyone for your help. I’ll report back.

[Shrew]

1) vent blocked
2) discharge line blocked
3) tank full
4) problem with discharge macerator.

If the vent is blocked, it will likely be at the through-hull.

I would take a bucket and a few rags and disconnect the vent from the through hull barb.

[peghall]

I'd do something else first...

Rarely is there a blockage in the vent LINE...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. So I'd start by cleaning out the thru-hull...use a screwdriver blade, ice pick, knock out any screen--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 that end 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.

If there's a filter in the vent line, remove it...once a filter gets wet--which can happen when a tank is overfilled or even due to heeling--the charcoal swells and blocks the vent...one of the reasons why vent filters aren't recommended for use on most sailboats.

To prevent future vent blockages, replace the "vent" thru-hull with an open bulkhead aka "mushroom" fitting--the kind your bilge pump use. This will not only vastly improve the air exchange needed to prevent odor from forming in the tank, but it'll also let you put a hose nozzle against it to backflush the vent line every time you wash the boat and/or pumpout or dump. Any that's trying to set up housing keeping in the vent line will get a water slide ride into the tank and prevent buildup in the other end of the vent line.

--Peggie