Squeaking heads

[srah1953]

There's a squeaking sound as I pump the Jabsco (twist & lock) heads. It has only started recently. Heads are used quite regularly. Any thoughts on how best to get rid of the squeak?
Thanks

 

[jon711]

Try putting some olive oil in the bowl, if that dosen't work dismantle the pump, and apply Vaseline to the plunger o ring...

Jon

 

[Salty John]

Put a little vegetable oil in the pan and pump it through.

 

[Tony Cross]

We live aboard full-time and I dismantle ours about once a month. I take the rubber ring off, clean everything up, apply a thin smear of waterproof Lithium grease and reassemble. You'll be amazed at the difference!

BTW. The squeaking is probably coming from the shaft seal at the top of the shaft and not the big rubber ring lower down. I clean the shaft with a dry rag, spray a tiny amount of Silicone spray on there, work it up and down so it's completely free running and then wipe off any excess.

 

[maby]

Agree - the squeak is more likely to come from the top end of the pump than the bottom - try wiping and lubing the bar. If that is not enough, carefully remove the four screws that hold the top plate in position, raise it a little and pour in a small amount of vegetable oil.

 

[Tony Cross]

Agree - the squeak is more likely to come from the top end of the pump than the bottom - try wiping and lubing the bar. If that is not enough, carefully remove the four screws that hold the top plate in position, raise it a little and pour in a small amount of vegetable oil.

On the new twist-and-lock pumps you don't need to remove the four screws and the whole plate top. You can undo the big round seal at the top of the shaft (I use an adjustable spanner because it's a pretty big "nut"). Lift the shaft and piston assembly out slowly and at an angle so that the water in the top of the pump (above the piston) can drain into the lower half and doesn't pour out all over your heads floor (it's only seawater so SWMBO needn't get all upset if it does).

 

[duncan99210]

Put a little vegetable oil in the pan and pump it through.

+1 simplest way to cure the squeeeeek. You may need to repeat about once a week or so. We carry a bottle of cheapo oil for the purpose.

 

[Marsupial]

I have used silicon grease on the pump plunger and seals for the last couple of decades and it works a treat, you will only need to apply it once a season. Its the stuff plumbers use for assembling push fit drain pipes, the spray is no good at all, you need the grease. So far I have not had to buy any spares for my jabsco's.

here is enough for 20 years at least:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silicone-...DIY_Materials_Plumbing_MJ&hash=item3a811f3804

Edit: this grease has lots of other uses round the boat like the raw water pump impeller, sail slides, anything that moves on deck like rail piston shackles, the solid type track cars, vetus strainers, jabsco water filters, etc etc.

 

[srah1953]

Excellent. Many thanks for all the replies.

 

[dunedin]

Reading with interest. Have same problem and SWMBO decreed it needs to be FIXED !

Tried the quick amateur attempts at silicone spray on the shaft and washing up liquid in the inlet pipe (worked for 5 minutes only). So will try these options also

 

[pcatterall]

On the new twist-and-lock pumps you don't need to remove the four screws and the whole plate top. You can undo the big round seal at the top of the shaft (I use an adjustable spanner because it's a pretty big "nut"). Lift the shaft and piston assembly out slowly and at an angle so that the water in the top of the pump (above the piston) can drain into the lower half and doesn't pour out all over your heads floor (it's only seawater so SWMBO needn't get all upset if it does).

I removed the 6 screws on mine so interested to learn about the 'nut'. I had used the oil 'trick' for the last month but it would only last a few days. I found the top O ring had a scale on it which was easily removed with a cloth, bit of Vaseline and all is back to normal again. Simple 1/2 hour job eitherr way.

 

[ukmctc]

as the rest of the replies, olive or veg oil, then after a while strip and clean the pump, change the seals etc;

 

[GH29]

I flush it through with baby oil and use either Vaseline or synthetic grease for the shaft (and elsewhere around the boat as already mentioned). Sometimes get strange (or even worried) looks from visitors who are obviously not sure why I've got these items on board