How long do your joker valves last?

[cliff]

For those who have reliable jabsco potties, can you depend on them not to backflow even when hard-hauled bogside down?

Yes, even without closing the sea-cock. Only problem with the existing installation was with previous owner - one of his kids dropped one and pumped with all their might against a CLOSED sea-cock - well the pressure built up in the discharge hose until something had to give - well both the joker valve and the flap valve reversed them selves and discharged the contents back through the bog - it was everywhere. I was about ¼mile away when it happened and heard the "explosion" - I actually thought there had been a major "incident" but it turned out to be just the bog exploding...... - once his kids had sanitised the place a new joker and flap valve were fitted - been working fine for the past 9 years with little maintenance except a flush through with white vinegar when I remember followed by a good flush with fresh water.

I may be wrong but I seem to remember Hayden suffering from the same syndrome a few years ago (the exploding bog syndrome that is)

 

[jwilson]

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?

Jabsco on boat partly used for charter, one joker valve and one pump seal kit in 6 years.

 

[Ripster]

Mine is converted to fresh water (pressure fed, so easy fill) generally get 2 seasons before fitting a new pump unit (dont bother with service kits anymore) and put a new joker in (which comes with the pump). Never had any issues at all with joker only the inflow flapper valve which gives up as said after about 2 years.

 

[rob2]

I stripped my Jabsco last year as it wasn't pumping. Literally scraped all the rubber parts to get the scale and slime off and it's been fine ever since. Mind you, I assembled the pump three times before I got the flap valves working properly - they have to be precisely positioned before you tighten up the body.

Rob.

 

[KellysEye]

>I've "serviced" my Jabso twice now, replacing all the valves and rubber bits. Both times, within about three months

Three months sounds a very short time. You normally get backflow when the joker valve is clogged open with calcium. I'm wondering if when you change the valve do you take off the outlet pipe and clean it, bang it on the ground to break the calcium deposits up? If not that could be part of the problem. For six and a half years we used our Jabsco loo 24X7X12 and usually had to service it after that.

 

[Vanilla]

Sorry you're having problems. Never had a problem with my Jabsco but I do put white vinegar down the heads every month or so which is reputed to help prevent limescale build up, and then some olive oil (posh eh!) now and then to stop the pump getting too stiff

Vanilla

 

[nickf]

2004 boat and origional Jabsco valves working well.
Have followed the advice - "if its working leave it alone!".

 

[DaveS]

I bought my boat second hand in 1997. The same joker valve is still in service. I have looked at it a couple of times - I do have a new spare - but it's always been fine. I have never seen any calcium build up, but I do make a point of pumping out well after each use.

 

[Interlude]

I am in the 18 month to 2 year MTBF category - now using the MkIII with the twist lock, and it is now leaking back after 18 months - I flush with fresh water (which has done wonders for the smells) and regularly flush vinegar and vegetable oil (sorry, not virgin olive ). Am off to the shop to buy a new pump or service kit tomorrow....