Fresh water pump

[purplerobbie]

The fresh water pump on my boat has stopped pumping?
at first i thought it might be air-locked.
It is the pump that has a little rubber band between the motor and pump body.
The motor turns but it dosent pump water? does it have an impeller that can be changed?
Does anyone know the model i'm on about?
Or should i bin it and get another?

Rob

 

[MoodySabre]

It doesn't sound like mine which is a Jabsco. It doesn't have an impeller but an oscillating diaphragm. It wasn't working properly when I bought the boat but after spending £15+ on bits I got it running but connected up water shot everywhere like Trafalgar Square so I cut my losses and spent £50 on a new one. Unless you know the exact problem then mending is sadly uneconomic, although much more preferable and satisfying.

 

[sailinglegend420]

It might have a filter in the pump that needs cleaning - or the filter on the tap that clogs up with calcium!!!

 

[bigwow]

If you are going to bin it use the bin in my cockpit please Rob
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[FAITIRA]

If it is a diaphram pump, it may be dirt under the valves, I had this prob ,til I fitted a filter on the suction side.

 

[purplerobbie]

Can these pumps still be bought?
If so would anyone have a link?
I have had a look and i can only find the all in one type?
Rob

 

[alan006]

I think I know the type of pump you have. If it is the type I think it is they are not very common anymore. They take up more room than the modern types which are normally all in one unit. One advantage of the old-fashioned type is that if the pump jamed the belt would slip so the motor didn't burn out.
I changed mine to the newer style which tend to have a built in pressure sensor (adjustable) so the pump will automatically start when you open a tap.
Very straightforward to change normally.

 

[Anonymous]

If it's the pump I think it is, they are great and have a good reputation. They come in two forms - for fresh water and bilge. As another poster said, they have diaphragms and are made by Jabsco. You can buy a complete service kit from Jabsco but they are terribly easy to take apart so I suggest you have a look. It's pretty obvious what's what. Your chandler should keep the spares kits so take the bits in and he'll help you choose the kit (if he's worth his salt). You could replace by the more modern Par-Max type and that's what you ought to consider if you decide to dump the present one (into the cockpit of the other poster who is waiting eagerly /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif)

 

[purplerobbie]

I dont really want to get rid of it as i seem to remember someone saying to me that they are great pumps but if it cant be fixed
It has been ran dry a couple of times by the same person who blew my electrics so it may of just pulled some muck through.
Can these be ran dry?
Rob

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, they are fine run dry and it's one of their big advantages. They also have huge ports and allow muck to pass easily - hopefully not a benefit in your fresh water tank /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Above all, you don't need much mechanical aptitude to strip and service them. I repaired the main chamber of mine (made from Bakelite) with some Plastic Metal three years ago and it's fine. Just take it to bits and all will become clear.

 

[narooma]

Agree with earlier post, sound like one of the earlier Jabsco if the "rubber band" has teeth. If so parts are still available and they are easy to strip and clean.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

[ QUOTE ]
It doesn't sound like mine which is a Jabsco. It doesn't have an impeller but an oscillating diaphragm. It wasn't working properly when I bought the boat but after spending £15+ on bits I got it running but connected up water shot everywhere like Trafalgar Square so I cut my losses and spent £50 on a new one. Unless you know the exact problem then mending is sadly uneconomic, although much more preferable and satisfying.

[/ QUOTE ]

My experience entirely - new pump arrived from ASAP Supplies yesterday, and will be installed before the weekend.

Wasted about 6 weeks waiting for parts, finding time to fit them, finding out it still leaked, tried to fix it, getting peed off.... not worth the agro.

 

[islander4]

It sounds as if we have a similar pump. If the motor is working then likely so is the pump - our experience is that there is a blockage upstream of the pump not allowing it to pump water - in our case blocked filter. May be worth checking that there is water in the inlet pipe before stripping the pump.

 

[pampas]

If you buy a service kit make sure the valves go in the right way round, suction valve is slightly different from the discharge,in that it has no relief hole. Very important if the suction has to lift the water. Mine spent two weeks submerged in sea water,washed motor out dried in airing cupboard and was ok, been in use as a deck/anchor wash ever since.(10 years never faltered).