Toilet wont flush

[pitcrew18]

We are the owners of a 2007 Montana fifth wheel and on our last two trips have had a problem with the toilet flushing on occasion. The toilet will bubble like there is air or little venting and then stop up even if only flushed with water alone. The vents have been checked, we have run moderate pressure thru the toilet, snaked out the toilet, does anyone have a suggestion?

[Jerry]

This sure sounds like a vent problem. I know you said you checked it, but did you remove the cover? If the vent cover is mounted on the roof itself, the vent pipe may have turned loose and slide down and is against the bottom of the tank.
Jerry

[hdossett]

We had that problem a few years ago in the MH. It may be a design or manufacturing flaw. Vent or flush pipes inserted too far into the tank? I actually had the problem with my home septic tank a couple of years ago. Sewer pipe was only a few inches from the wall on the other side of the tank from entry point. Had to cut it back several inches.

The problem come from the dreaded "Black Pyramid" building up to high. Yep, just what you think it as. If you see a bubble, its time to clean it out!

Our solution was a home made tank cleaner. Off the shelf units just wouldn't clean it out and forget about snakes and plungers! I made one using a 1/2 in. PVC threaded end cap with 1/8 inch holes drilled at different angles. Attached that to a six foot length of water hose using a barbed/threaded plastic coupling. Have to drag a hose in from shore water, on board pump has insufficient pressure. Seems that TP greatly adds to the problem, so only dirty TP goes into the tank. Also, dumping the tank too often and then not putting enough water in after the dumping can contribute. Sitting in one spot for extended period could also add to it. Things just don't get moved around enough!


Haven't had to clean my out for a while now.

Good luck,
Harold