Sea toilet issue? (video)

[JollyRodgers]

Forgot to say, the boat is in the water, so it should be sucking up the water, not air.

As people say, the toilet is nothing to do with the freshwater system, sea water only. Try putting a couple of litres of sea water in the bowl to prime it and then pumping with the seacocks open. Usually this will get it going. Was it empty over the winter? Hopefully frost hasn't damaged it.

How did you get on with the leaking log sensor?

I'm pretty sure that it was emptied over the winter. I dont remember ever seeing water in there, but there may have been some in the piping - not sure.

I'll try putting the sea water in there and seeing if it does anything, failing that will just change the pump.

As soon as I got onto the boat, I rushed towards the V berth, thinking that there would be about 3-4" of water in there. To my surprise, it was completely dry, even around all of the area that was previously wet (as you saw in the pictures). There was a very, very, ever so slightly damp feel to it - but no big puddles or anything.

I put the epoxy putty around the outside and checked it again in the morning after and it was completely bone dry. I don't think any water will be coming out of there any time soon.

If the boat needs to come out of the water for anything else soon, then I will get this looked at then.

 

[garvellachs]

Was it salt water then I wonder? Could have come from somewhere else? Good result anyway!

 

[JollyRodgers]

Was it salt water then I wonder? Could have come from somewhere else? Good result anyway!

I didn't particularly want to taste it to test if it was salt water or not. Would the water get into the bowl by me opening the sea cocks and pumping if the water pump was broken ? I think the surveyor would've mentioned that there was water in the toilet if there was when it was ashore tbh.

 

[simonfraser]

Just so you know....

You don't need to switch the electrics on, either...you provide to effort via the manual pump.

Hehe, yes I was wondering what that was all about

The water should be the same as what you are floating in, taste it from the bowl to make sure

 

[johnalison]

I suspect #17 has the answer. The advantage of using a service kit is that you will learn how it works. You may find that if you leave the pump with the toggle to the left for a while it starts working again. You may also find that you can use water from the shower head in an emergency if the inlet is blocked or not working. Nice video.

 

[FistralG]

As people say, the toilet is nothing to do with the freshwater system, sea water only. Try putting a couple of litres of sea water in the bowl to prime it and then pumping with the seacocks open. Usually this will get it going...

+1
before you spend money on service kits or replacement parts try priming it as suggested.

alternatively with the switch in the fill position give the handle 8-10 vigorous pumps.

make sure the lid is down on toilet seat first!

 

[Tranona]

that is a relatively new pump and should not need a service kit yet, let alone a new pump. As suggested it is almost certainly the flap valve at the top that is stuck in the open position from lack of use. Undo the four screws to take the top off and you will see the valve. The video pvb posted will show you how it works. Be careful when you replace the screws - they are not self tappers but run in threads in the plastic body. Turn them anti clockwise until you feel them drop in the thread and then slowly screw them down using a hand driver. Once you have primed the pump all will be well.

 

[JollyRodgers]

+1
before you spend money on service kits or replacement parts try priming it as suggested.

alternatively with the switch in the fill position give the handle 8-10 vigorous pumps.

make sure the lid is down on toilet seat first!

that is a relatively new pump and should not need a service kit yet, let alone a new pump. As suggested it is almost certainly the flap valve at the top that is stuck in the open position from lack of use. Undo the four screws to take the top off and you will see the valve. The video pvb posted will show you how it works. Be careful when you replace the screws - they are not self tappers but run in threads in the plastic body. Turn them anti clockwise until you feel them drop in the thread and then slowly screw them down using a hand driver. Once you have primed the pump all will be well.

Thanks guys. I already bought the handpump the other day, but I will definitely have a go at priming it first and seeing if that solves the issue. If it works, I will keep the handpump in the locker next to the loo as a spare.

The boat is almost all fixed up now, which is exciting. I just need to figure out how to get the sails on and work out what is wrong/how to use the diesel eberpascher heater (although electric 1KW heater is doing the job perfectly for the moment) then I can start focusing on actually improving my sailing and going somewhere, other than sitting in the marina

 

[Niffler]

that is a relatively new pump and should not need a service kit yet, let alone a new pump. As suggested it is almost certainly the flap valve at the top that is stuck in the open position from lack of use. Undo the four screws to take the top off and you will see the valve. The video pvb posted will show you how it works. Be careful when you replace the screws - they are not self tappers but run in threads in the plastic body. Turn them anti clockwise until you feel them drop in the thread and then slowly screw them down using a hand driver. Once you have primed the pump all will be well.

The top flap needs a spring to ensure it seats correctly, for a while Jabsco weren't including these so the UK distributor sold them for £1 plus postage, eventually Jabsco relented and now sells loos and kits with them in. When you take that top cover off, check the spring is in there and seated correctly and if it's not there get a replacement.

 

[JollyRodgers]

Just thought I would give you a quick update.

I got off the old pump (fairly straight forward) and installed the new one - Perfect. Works exactly as it was meant to. It's also pretty cool having the lock features on it.

Tried priming it before i got to work and it was draining the water out, but just not sucking it in.

Took apart the old one and it looked as old as the boat. The rubber on the plunging rod (I forgot the technical term..) had completely corroded and had a few holes in it, which I guess didnt help the vaccum effect. The O ring looked buggered and the spring was bright blue and practically fell apart in my hands when I touched it.

Glad I used all of your advice, many thanks!

Next on my list is figuring out how to turn on (or fix) the Isotherm fridge as well as the Eberpascher diesel heater (Although the electrical heater is doing a solid job at keeping me warm!)