[C320-list] Head tank Smells??

[millers1 at aol.com]

I recently purchased a C320 , 2000, hull  #680, and plan to try and eliminate the holding tank smell and possible 
problems discussed below:
What I know:  All the tank hoses appear to be up-graded to the "Black Hose" except for the vent 
                      hose.  Did the C320 come with black hoses or white?
                       The macerator will allow leakage back into the tank.  Concur the hull valve should                    
                       always be shut for compliance.
                       I have an in tank "rod/float" that provides some info on the fullness of the tank.
                       Because the tank is lower than the head, the head slowly drains to the tank (the 
                        head pump "one way valves" are not zero leakage). So the ultimate indication of 
                       when the tank needs to be pumped is I see the water not draining as fast as normal from the head bowl.
                       I have no idea how to get to the hull vent outlet or how that fitting works( I have read earlier posts
                       but still feel it will be an adventure..... Any pictures, guidance on how to get to the hull vent 
                       connection would be appreciated.
                       Is the area accessible by removing head cabinets???  From what I have hear so far
                       I am beginning to think it might be easier to run a new vent line to an area near the present vent
                       but is more accessible(???).      
             Ken, keep us posted on your efforts.  It will be a week or so before I take on this project.  I likewise
will let you know what I find.   
Other than winterizing the boat the work list is fairly short for the boat.   
I have noticed a hairline crack in the gel-coat where the "stern sugar scoop" goes vertical with the stern.   
So when I have looked more closely at it (from inside??), I will ask this site  if anyone has some experience with 
a fix.
Thanks,

Art,     Liberty   #680            


-----Original Message-----
From: kspir4 <kspir4 at cox.net>
To: C320-List <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Sun, Oct 13, 2013 1:04 am
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Head leaks and cannot empty tank properly


Thanks Chris.  I've spent a bunch of time on this and found a few things wrong 
but I think the blocked vent is the biggest culprit and the problem I have yet 
to resolve.  I have removed the vent hose at the top (at the through hole) and 
put pressurized water into it.  I could hear the water entering the tank (the 
hose is clear).  I then reconnected the vent hose at the top and disconnected it 
at the bottom before putting pressurized water to that end.  The water exited 
the outside at weak but steady stream.  Unfortunately I also saw some water leak 
through the caulked seal on the inside near the penetration in the hull (NOT at 
the hose/hose clamp).  This must be where the smell is coming in the cabin.  
After that, I hooked up all the hoses and ran the macerator pump.  I went 
topside and heard faint hissing at the vent and felt a very very weak suction 
pulling air in.  Also, the water in the bowl still empties as it is sucked out.   
I think the problem is that the "hole" or slit in the vent at the penetration is 
too small to let a sufficient amount of air in when emptying the take and out 
when filling the tank.  The way to fix this is not apparent since the holding 
tank vent is not like the freshwater and fuel vents back aft - the ones with a 
screened opening on the down side of the vent.  The holding tank vent is a black 
plastic knob like piece with a indented section on the bottom quarter that does 
not have an visible opening (I have pictures that I can email to anyone curious 
and or think they can help).  Does anyone know if this is a standard vent and, 
if so, can the opening be made or opened more?  Is there a way to easily remove 
the vent? (I have tried to twist if off without success). I am thinking of 
drilling a hole in the plastic cover to let more air pass but that will be the 
last resort since I don't know if that will make matters worse or introduce new 
problems 

Also, I think I may be getting some leak by though the overboard discharge valve 
into the tank since I found the tank full after sitting  a week after it was 
emptied.  Has anyone experienced this?  Is there a check valve in the pump that 
keeps the water from coming in and filling the tank if the valve is left open or 
the valve leaks by?

thanks
Ken Spiro
Moondancer 
#1089
---- clburti at gmail.com wrote: 
> It is almost a certainty that your vent is blocked...the liquid coming out is 
being forced out and if the hose clamp is loose or the hose has been forced 
partially off, liquid will be running down the hose, bulkhead and 
elsewhere...that liquid is why the aft cabin smells.
> 
> 
> 
> Fair Winds
> Chris Burti
> Commitment
> Catalina 320, #867
> 
> 
> 
> From: kspir4 at cox.net
> Sent: ‎Tuesday‎, ‎September‎ ‎24‎, ‎2013 ‎11‎:‎37‎ ‎AM
> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com; C320-List at Catalina320.com
> 
> Hi Folks,
> I recently bought a 2006 320 and have had problems with the head from the 
start.  Many of the problems seem to contradict each other and I was wondering 
if anyone could help.  First off, I rebuilt the Tetford hand pump so I feel that 
is working properly (flushing water comes in and waste goes out of the bowl).  I 
have been using KO solution to help promote decomposition but I don’t think that 
will help until the problem is fixed.  The symptoms (I know many of them seem to 
be contradictory) of the problem are:
> 1. Waste smell under settee and in the aft cabin.  I believe it is coming from 
a leak behind the head bulkhead.  I think it only leaks when I pressurize the 
system with the hand pump.  I do occasionally see some liquid coming down along 
either the pump out line or the vent line to the bilge near the waste tank.
> 2. When I use the macerator, it appears to be able to put a suction on the 
holding tank since it will usually draw out a little bit of waste.  However, at 
the end, it will always empty the bowl of any water that was in it.
> 3. I have tried to flush the holding tank by putting water in the topside pump 
out access but it will accept no more than a half-gallon before the tube is 
filled up and causing some liquid drip from the air vent.
> 
> I wouldn't think the air vent is blocked since I have some liquid coming out 
when I fill the pump out tube.  If that is the case, why does the bowl empty 
when I pull suction with the macerator pump.
> 
> There doesn’t seem to be any real inspection port to look into the holding 
tank for blockage or channels.  Is the only means to inspect the inside (without 
remove the tank entirely) to remove the small air vent port and look through 
that tiny hole? 
> 
> Is there an easy way to access the upper hose connections for the pump out 
hose and air vent to see where the drip is comming from and correcting it when 
found?  There appears to be an access panel above the shelf that is above the 
medicine cabinet but it looks like removing it would involve removing some 
factory caulking that seals the head.
> 
> Ken