1996 260 Excel fresh water tank access

[WaynesWorld]

!@#$! Winterized last fall. This spring went to pump out the pink stuff and nothing but air. replaced pump. Still no pink stiff. Put a hose to a 1 gallon jug and to input of the pump. Pumps like a charm. Obviously an air leak in hose from tank. ugh! Can't even see it as it is buried behind the Vacu-Flush mechanism. It looks like a real monster to remove. Has anyone here done it. Or you do like a sailor friend of mine said "just throw money at it and hire it done. Looks expensive. HELP!

[CptBill]

Ok just a couple of questions, first did you remove all the cushions from the aft cabin and check for access? some boats have a panel in the floor of the aft cabin if the tank and pump are located there. Second there's a panel at the rear of the aft cabin under the window and a panel on the port side in the aft cabin sometimes they conceal access. Oh and one more question that boat should have a connection for water from shore that bypasses the fresh water tank there are 2 check valves in that system and it's not unheard of for them to stick so maybe first try hocking up a hose and run water in the sinks and shower for a little bit then switch back over, that should at lest get the air out of the lines

[WaynesWorld]

I have looked for a panel in the aft cabin. nada in the correct location. There is no shore water connection. I put the blower side of my shop vac in the input opening to try and move things along to no avail. Any other ideas?

[Billm]

Is it sputtering pink stuff or completely dry? If you have an air leak in the line, there should be some lost pink stuff in the bilge. Did you add a few gallons of water into the tank to prime the pump? Is the pressure relief valve in the hot water tank closed?

Disconnect the incoming water line at the pump you replaced and attach a garden hose to it. Apply a little water pressure to back flush the line. Listen for a leak somewhere.

[CptBill]

Sometimes you need to take those trim panels out to get to certain things

[WaynesWorld]

regarding the hot water heater, I have installed a bypass system so no water/antifreeze in it. I did drain it. I can find no access panel in the starboard side of the aft cabin. There is a panel on the starboard side behind helm seat. I have removed it and can see where the hose nears the tank but unable to reach or see where it enters the tank. !@#$!. Again, anybody know of a youtube or some other source on how to remove the vacuflush mechanism. If I can get behind it I can change the hose (i"m thinking:-)

[goodday]

do you have the rubber seal washer on your hose at pump, sometimes fall off and get lost , or you get figured out,

[goodday]

On your water heater you would want to just plug both end of water lines that were on heater, as I found on mine there is no check valve to prevent water from back flowing , don’t need to bypass as you did, could be sucking all back through your water system, toilet , sinks , wash down hose , why not getting anything