How long do your joker valves last?

R

Ric

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 Dec 2003
Messages
1,723
Visit site
I've "serviced" my Jabso twice now, replacing all the valves and rubber bits. Both times, within about three months, I start getting flushback through the joker valve so I have to keep closing the sea cock. Is it worth even bothering changing the joker valve? Does anybody ever get decent service life?
 
How about fitting one of the "twist and lock" pumps? This has a prong on the end of the pump plunger which holds the bottom flap valve hard against its seat, sealing it fairly securely whatever the joker valve does or doesn't do.

Pete
 
prv said:
How about fitting one of the "twist and lock" pumps? This has a prong on the end of the pump plunger which holds the bottom flap valve hard against its seat, sealing it fairly securely whatever the joker valve does or doesn't do.

Pete
Click to expand...

I actually did fit one last refit - made no difference.
 
Ric said:
I've "serviced" my Jabso twice now, replacing all the valves and rubber bits. Both times, within about three months, I start getting flushback through the joker valve so I have to keep closing the sea cock. Is it worth even bothering changing the joker valve? Does anybody ever get decent service life?
Click to expand...

+1 ... Changed at beginning of the season. Not working by June!
 
Ric said:
I've "serviced" my Jabso twice now, replacing all the valves and rubber bits. Both times, within about three months, I start getting flushback through the joker valve so I have to keep closing the sea cock. Is it worth even bothering changing the joker valve? Does anybody ever get decent service life?
Click to expand...

Hi Ric, We live aboard virtually all year round. I do a 'full service kit' approx. every 18 months. Occasionally doing an 'internal' clean as required. Do you de-scale the joker valve chamber and the bottom flap valve seat when you change rubberware? Any build up of scale will 'lift' the bottom valve and squeeze the joker valve open. Something definately wrong if you're only getting three months service! Hope this helps.

Andy
 
prv said:
How about fitting one of the "twist and lock" pumps? This has a prong on the end of the pump plunger which holds the bottom flap valve hard against its seat, sealing it fairly securely whatever the joker valve does or doesn't do.

Pete
Click to expand...

Nah, they're rubbish. I fitted one to replace a broken heads and within quite a short time it had distorted the flap valve so that it didn't seat at all. We still have it - with a replaced flap valve - but DON'T use in lock-down mode.
 
ghostlymoron said:
Loads of boats have Jabsco's without problems including me. I replaced the joker after a couple of years, no problem since.
Click to expand...

It's a bit of a lottery really. I've had them leak from the start, and others lasted years without problems. As with all their products, Jabsco production processes are only just fit for purpose.
 
There must be something in your sh**.:p
I've never had any bother with the joker valve, but why do they fix the pump down onto its base with self-tappers? This time I've tapped out the holes in the base and fitted 8mm studs.
 
For those who have reliable jabsco potties, can you depend on them not to backflow even when hard-hauled bogside down?
 
Just replaced an original pump (blew up when a fish got stuck in it) with a new twist & lock - original at least 15 years old, joker valve last replaced about 5 years ago. Not sure what you're doing but a really good pump through before leaving the boat probably helps, and I always close the seacock. Would have replaced with a lavac but a new pump was cheaper...

.
 
No problems here either. Always give it a good flush and pump out after use. Never any flow back in any sailing conditions. Dam good bog if you ask me!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top