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Headhunter flush issue
1998 Prevost XL Elegant Lady
We’re having a flush issue after a flush attempt that had a good bit of RV type toilet paper. Never an issue previously. In working with Headhunter we’ve gone through all the pressure checks but still a weak flush. Everything seems to checkout so far when measuring the water pressure at the accumulator tank and the water pump start and stop. At this point the Headhunter tech suggests checking the cone strainer in the solenoid (photo attached) by stripping it apart.
There seem to be two ways to get to the solenoid. One is through the panel under the rear-most bottom galley drawer (photo attached) but I probably can’t get two hands onto the solenoid at once. The more direct way would be if the toe kick panel could be removed (see photos). The solenoid is just on the other side of this panel. It looks like the panel is attached with screws on the backside of the panel (see photo). Is this correct? I don’t won’t to start taking much more apart if it’s not going to get the panel off.
Now for the solenoid. With the way Liberty has installed the solenoid what is the best way to accomplish the task of stripping the solenoid? Also, there appears to not be a water shutoff valve between the check valve just above the water pump (see photo) and the solenoid (as there would be with an adder kit) so I’m concerned with residual water that will be on both sides of the solenoid escaping the system even if de-pressurized. Suggestions?
Lastly, for now, having done all this work on a 1998 Liberty just to check the cone strainer would it make more sense to just replace the solenoid or perhaps replace with an adder kit (which includes the solenoid)?
Any help is greatly appreciated,
Nick
1998 Prevost XL Elegant Lady
Update:
Thank you to everyone who replied to our Headhunter toilet issue.
After considering all the comments, we were planning on replacing the solenoid but before that a final plunge was attempted. Plunging had been tried severally times but failed to solve the issue. Thankfully, for whatever reason this final attempt worked. Perhaps using a different plunger or time or technique or whatever made this last attempt successful. PTL! The toilet is now working as it should and perhaps better as the accumulator tank is set with the correct pressure per Headhunter recommendations.
Again, thanks for all the help. I have learned quite a lot about Headhunter toilets!
Blessings,
Nick
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4 Replies
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I had to service the flush valve on my 97 Liberty which was located in a manner similar to yours.
You might find in the long run it is easier to loosen the hose clamps and remove the entire valve. Make sure your water pressure is zero and pump as much water from the toilet as possible using a plunger or some siphon. A bath towel will absorb whatever water is remaining.
With the valve out you can remove the six screws holding the halves together and clean the inside of the valve body and diaphragm, plus you can add voltage to the solenoid and verify its operation.
It will not be easy removing it due to limited space but it can be done.
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A lot of boats use the Headhunter toilets. When sea/salt water is used it tends to clog the tiny relief hole in the diagram which will cause a lower flow.
Take Jon’s advice, remove the valve, disable it (clean any calcium buildup with a old toothbrush and CLR) and make sure the tiny relief hole in the diaphragm is clear. The Solenoids tend to get weak over the years, considering replacing it while you have it out. Easier to do with it out.Chuck
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With as much trouble it is to access, I recommend replacing the solenoid. The solenoid in our 96 Liberty 40Xl was in a much tighter area than yours. If it was a much newer solenoid, I would have taken it apart and cleaned it. I chose to replace it, I also guaranteed that I would never have another problem with it by relocating it to a much easier location to access. A previous owner had cobbled together a weird time delay module, so I had to replace it also. Figured I might as well replace the peizo switch also. At the same time I replaced the cheap water pump that was installed with a Mach5 pump, filter etc… Almost $3000 later we could actually flush the toilet with confidence.
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While water pressure and flow rate are important for a Headhunter toilet to work an often never discussed component is an important part of the system.
Like all Liberty coaches mine had high volume, high pressure water pumps. But everything mechanical fails so I installed a Shurflo water pump with a puny 1.2 GPM flow rate and to insure as a back up pump it would work to flush the toilet I added a one gallon water expansion tank. Regardless of which water pump I use, my Headhunter will flush because the expansion tank is located just a few feet from the flush valve.
My point is to find the expansion tank on a Liberty and make sure it is pressurized to the required setting. An older expansion tank usually ends up with a bladder leak and does not work as intended. A clue to that is short cycling of the water pump, meaning as soon as a drop of water is run from a faucet the water pump kicks on.
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