replacing joker valve the hard way

[Dave22q]

Like an idiot when the pump on my Raritan PH II resisted while flushing I simply pushed harder. Got most of the solids out of the bowl before she jammed fast. Siphoned out the contents of the bowl but suspect the pump housing is full of black water or worse. My readings seem to indicate joker valve blocking the outflow is the likely cause. My understanding is that the best I can do is unbolt the exhaust hose after putting something down to catch the liquid from the pump. Then, using gloves, pull out the old joker and insert the new. Anyone have a less messy idea or is this about the best I can do?

[Sailmonkey]

that's the way it's done.....but you're going to have more than just the contents of the pump to worry about when you pull the joker valve out. the entire discharge hose will be full of "stuff" as well.

[Tetepare]

I'm thinking there must be a very hard blockage to not clear the joker. Before you tear it apart, what else could do it? Full tank is #1.

[Kelkara]

If you have a direct discharge option ... you might want to check your Y-valve is directing to the tank and not outside ... if it's trying to pump against a closed seacock you'll feel it as blocked. You could also try to pump overboard (sail 3-miles first if you have to), that will let you know if the block is before or after the Y-valve.

Then empty the tank, and check the vent before you start taking things apart and risk flooding the boat with poo.

[thinwater]

Just to point out what should be the truth and should be obvious...

The head should pump into the top of the tank, and thus even if full, the tank will not drain into the boat.

That said, checking the vent and pumping the tank are smart. When pumping the tank out, air should be sucking in the vent in an obvious way.

The most likely culprit is scale build up in the hose combined with something flushed that should not have been. Paper towels, feminine products, and Kleenex are all on the no-flush list. They do not dissolve. You would think Kleenex would, but it does not.

If there is resistance and you believe it is only poo and TP, add a little water and just wait, without pushing. Generally it only needs time. Pushing always makes it worse.

And finally, this is why smart head maintenance is always preventative. At the first sign of misbehavior, fix it. A clean head and hoses are easy to work on.

[donradcliffe]

Its most likely a blockage downstream of the joker valve. Have fun.

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by thinwater

You would think Kleenex would, but it does not.

.

I would NOT. In fact I warn every visitor. One didn't believe me, so I got to take the entire head out of the boat. And it wasn't my boat, I was borrowing it. Now I qualify invitees and tend not to invite land people.

[SVRocinante]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Just to point out what should be the truth and should be obvious...

The head should pump into the top of the tank, and thus even if full, the tank will not drain into the boat.

The operative word in thinwater's comment is "SHOULD", so be careful with this particular assumption. On our Hanse 400e, the hose feeds into the bottom of the tank. Yep, I don't know why, but that's the way it came, brand new, straight from Hanse.

[HopCar]

As has been pointed out already, the problem is not the joker valve. They don't fail closed. They fail open. It is a blockage down stream. Blocked hose, full tank, blocked vent. Start with the easiest and least messy, examine the vent and pump the tank.

If you do need to remove the hose to clear a blockage, you poor fatherless child, go ahead and replace the joker valve anyway. That might buy you a couple of years before you need to remove that hose again.

[Shrew]

replacing joker valve the hard way

There is an EASY way???

[Jd1]

May I suggest that you check the settings on the selector of flush/evacuate ? If it is in a middle position it will produce a large resistance to pumping. Of course it could be the mechanics of the switch as well.
Always check the easy things first, especially when dealing with poo
In my setup, if I recall correctly, I can remove the complete pump assembly without spilling a drop - might be worth looking at things from that aspect before pulling the pipes apart!

[goat]

Also re-check the y valve. Some of them are counter intuitive with the handle not inline with the hose in service. Flow is indicated on the valve body but they're usually located somewhere dark that's hard to see.
After that, check it one more time before you pull the hoses apart. Then maybe one more time just to be sure.....

[Wanderlust]

Try using a plumber's plunger in the bowl. The pushing/sucking motion will clear any normal blockage. If that doesn't do it, look for a mechamical cause.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Shrew

There is an EASY way???

Yes. When the head is not blocked and has been flushed many times, including one with vinegar.

OK, it depends on how hard it is to reach.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Wanderlust

Try using a plumber's plunger in the bowl. The pushing/sucking motion will clear any normal blockage. If that doesn't do it, look for a mechamical cause.

No, probably not. A plunger functions by pulling on the waste, and both the joker valve and the flapper will prevent that.