Jabsco manual toilet not taking water in

[kilkerr1]

Hello all. Bit of a loo problem. We have had our Jabsco manual loo on board for two years, it's been brilliant. But on going to the boat last week I noticed the pump handle thingy was all the way out/not pushed in. Neither of us ever leave the handle out like that. On opening the seacocks and trying to flush some water down we found that the water I poured into the bowl was pumped away fine, but no water was being taken into the loo from the intake pipe (if that's wot it's called...). Also, pumping the handle it feels like there's very little 'resistance', that's the best way I can describe it, when before when it was working fine there was definite push as the water was sucked in from outside into the bowl. So - we can use the loo and chuck lots of water down the bowl to flush it, but I'd rather fix it. OK, get HWMO to fix it...

Any ideas in what has happened/needs to happen to fix the blimmin thing? Boat's on a drying mud berth in Chi harbour, so we thought that maybe something had happened as she lay down in the mud that pushed down the intake pipe, or something's got clogged. Oh, and we've always used that Loo Fresh stuff, the cartridge you plumb into the intake pipe so when water's taken in from outside it goes through the nicely-fragrant loo cleaner thing and flushes all blue and foamy. Again, this has always worked well and kept our little boat smellin' of roses.

All suggestions and advice most gladly received, especially as we're away sailing to the West Country from tomorrow evneing..! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[moodycruiser]

I have this happen occasionally on our aft heads, and the solution I have found is to take the pipe that goes to the bowl from the top of the pump at the back, take it off at the pump end and put your finger over the hole on the pump outlet and pump - when you get water up to there, put the pipe back on again quickly and continue pumping. You should be alright after that.
Hope it works for you.

 

[Stemar]

Could it be some weed or something in the valve?

If so, it's a pull the top bit apart job, which is easy. Putting it back together is fiddly, but not too bad unless you're in a hurry.

 

[Csail]

Same with ours but the problem was an air leak in the inlet pipe side.

 

[colinmi]

We get the same problem with the same unit in our fwd head. Its a long hose run from the sea cock and it just needs primed at the start of the season. Close cock, take hose off, pour water in, refit hose trying not to let the water out and start pumping as you open the sea cock.

Should do the trick.

Cheers

Colin

 

[Dipper]

My Jabsco loo never had this problem until this season. There has been some debate already about this in earlier threads and one recommendation has been to lubricate the seals by pouring vegetable oil into the bowl from time to time. This seems to have improved mine significantly.

As already said, if you can get some water into the inlet pipe it should start working again. I found that on mine I can detach the inlet pipe from the clip on the bulkhead (it is in a large loop) and bend it down over the loo so it is nearly horizontal. This allows water to be pumped in easily. The pipe can then be clipped back up again. This saves removing the pipe from the loo or seacock.

I think the problem is caused by lack of use with the internal seals drying out. This is where a regular does of oil helps.

PS Thanks to all those in the past who recommended the vegetable oil trick!

 

[kilkerr1]

Thanks all, sounds like it's not going to be too much of an issue to sort out. Will go to boat - currently in Lymington - tomorrow evening armed with print out of your replies & suggestions.

Fair winds to you all!

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Dalliance]

I guess that the pump needs priming - it happens with ours sometimes too. I generally fill the loo bowl with water from the wash hand basin (or a bucket if it's easier) and then flush it away as usual. That fixes the problem. Also, if the pump has got very dry I run a little sunflower oil (NOT olive oil) down the rod and that coats the plunger in the barrel.

 

[Steve_N]

There is a modified seal/gasket (the oblong one just below the pump handle) available to fix exactly this problem.

Our Jabsco is only about 2 years old also and always suffered from loss of input suction. The new seal/gasket has a weighted brass flap valve in place of the solid rubber flap valve supplied with the loo. This flap is held open when the pump is in the 'out' position (as it is most of the time) and the rubber tends to deform and hold it open instead of dropping shut: the brass weight ensures that it drops and seals correctly. The difference is marked: the pump operates 100% and you hear the solid 'click' of the valves working.

About £5 from your local chandler. If you look at your existing seal/gasket and you have one brass valve and one rubber valve then you need the new part with 2 * brass valves..

 

[shanwick]

Ours suffers from exactly the same problem. Definitely a problem with the rubber valve sticking.

A single quick, sharp pump always cures the problem.

 

[kcrane]

[ QUOTE ]
There is a modified seal/gasket (the oblong one just below the pump handle) available to fix exactly this problem.


[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed, that fixed it on ours, it was also 2 years old.

We pour a little bit of olive oil (it is just what is on the boat) down the loo every week, and it keeps it moving easily, quitely and pumping effectively. According to my mother, plenty of olive oil will have the same effect on you. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Richard10002]

I have exactly the same problem and am sure that the seal which screws into the top where the rod goes through is the culprit - i.e. the seal that you can see.

Tried vaseline, veg oil, rebuild etc., no joy.

Cant tell if I'm correct yet as I need to get somewhere that supplies the spares.