www.iFourWinns.com

I went to pump out my 2000 Vista 268 for the first time this past weekend and had a few questions afterwards. The holding tank was pretty empty when I pumped out, likely five gallons or so. Took under a minute for the pump to start sucking air. I actually had my girlfriend listen to make sure that vent was pulling air, as it was clogged when I first bought it. After I pumped it out I wanted to fill it up with fresh water and repump to rinse it. However, when I ran water into the holding tank from the waste access it ran over after only probably 2 gallons ran in. I went in and pumped a toilet bowl of fresh water into the tank. While doing this my girlfriend said the toilet pumping pushed more clear water out the waste access. So I pumped out what little water was in the system and went on our way. So my question is what does everyone think is going on? I am hoping I may just have a joker valve in my waste line or a little clog in the holding tank discharge line. I should also mention I had some pretty foul water in my forward bilge that seemed like it could have been holding tank water, discovered after i purchased. Yet after running fresh water into the holding tank through the toilet I never noticed any additional water in the bilge. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated as this is all new for me. Thanks

PAC Winn
2000 Vista 268

_________________
Pac Winn

First Boat:
2000 Vista 268

Sounds to me like you still have an issue with the vent of the waste tank. Sure it may of been sucking air when you had the pump out on it but it, it isn't allowing air to escape.

When you went to do a rinse, sounds like you probably only filled the pump out line with water because air could not vent out of the tank. When you pumped the head, and pushed more water in the tank from the other direction, again with the vent not working, it pushed the water out of the line that you had just filled. Hope that made sense. Check or replace your vent line.

As far as the nasty water in the forward bilge, things can get pretty nasty in there if the bilge pump isn't working, or the shower sump isn't working and overflowing into the forward bilge. Not to likely its "black" water, but I guess anything is possible. Id check your shower sump under the floor of the closet and make sure that is working, take a hose and rinse the forward bilge out then put some bilge cleaner in there and let is slosh around.

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Thanks for the reply! You are correct about my shower sump, I hadn't mentioned that was another discovery after I bought the boat too. I even had a survey completed, at least I know the $50 microwave was checked out properly ha ha. Anyway I had put off fixing the shower sump because I have to take the starboard hanging locker apart to get access to the sump pump. I had rinsed out that forward bilge repeatedly with cleaner and have been shop vaccuming any extra water out every week as it seems it takes a while for all of the water under my deck to drain to the bilge. After about 3 weeks it looks like its pretty much dry in the forward bilge. Not sure how the previous owner could live with water in his forward bilge and the shower sump not working (if its in the boat i figure it should work and be clean even if i dont use it/see it). I have really been keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have major holding tank issues.

Has anyone replaced the vent line for the holding tank or the shower sump on a 268 that would have any words of advice or encouragement? Thanks!

_________________
Pac Winn

First Boat:
2000 Vista 268

I would start by taking the line off the tank and just rigging up a temporary one to test the theory. If it solves your problem, then take the ceiling panel down on the starboard side aft cabin and see if you can gain any access, hopefully the vent isn't behind the head wall. That small filler panel above the closet besides bein a snug fit is just held with velcro and comes out pretty easy. You may end up having to remove the whole closet to gain any access.

Good luck.

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Well I ended up taking the whole closet out to get access to the vent hose. Turns out the thru hull vent piece (which had a 90 degree bend) was clogged too. I removed the thru hull and promptly dropped it in the water. Who knew chrome plated brass doesn't float? Luckily it's a common piece at west marine so i replaced with one without the 90 degree bend to limit clogging at the vent. Get to put it all back together this weekend and will post how it works soon. Thanks for all the input!

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Pac Winn

First Boat:
2000 Vista 268

Im sorry man, but I had a nice chuckle over that! I needed it this morning too. Sounds like you got to the bottom of the problem (no pun intended).

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

_________________
Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Few people realize that water has magnetic properties, especially towards objects on a boat!

_________________
Terry
Current: 07 Crownline 255 CCR cuddy - 350 Mag MPI/B3 "Casi Cielo"

Previous:97 245 Sundowner 5.7GI/SX

Tow vehicle: 1986 GMC 2500 Camper Special 454/TH400

One thing I wanted to point out, you will likely need to replace your vent filter too. I found a guy on ebay who sells a conversion kit for around $30 which is better then the $80+ for a new one. When complete it allows you the option of just replacing the sponge filter in each end and the charcoal inside the filter. Best $30 I spent, Now I can replace my charcoal every season.

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1999 298 Vista [color=#FF0000]Sold!!!
twin Volvo 5.7GXI

Woody: Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: Alright, but stop me at one...make that one-thirty

As far as I know there is no vent line filter on the 268. Somebody chime in if Im wrong.

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Thanks for the information. You are correct, there was no filter on the vent line. Hopefully my next boat will have several extra feet as well as some extras like holding tank vent filter.

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Pac Winn

First Boat:
2000 Vista 268

If I'm correct, I believe the vent fitting is accessable by removing the velcro'd in trim piece aft of the head, above the hanging locker. It shouldn't be that hard to mount a vent filter there. That's my plan for the spring at least.

My one question is do you still use the holding tank treatments with a vent filter?

_________________
2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

I use holding tank treatment

_________________
1999 298 Vista [color=#FF0000]Sold!!!
twin Volvo 5.7GXI

Woody: Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: Alright, but stop me at one...make that one-thirty

Yes

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Thats what I figured.

_________________
2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225