Whale heads pump blocking.

[mattonthesea]

Caution: if you are squeamish about toilets then don't read!

About six years ago I replaced the Henderson MkIII pump on our heads. It has pumped fine with a bit of white vinegar and then olive oil once a month.

Twice in the last week it has worked for the first few pumps and then locked. The first time, I undid the cover and drained the contents. I removed a little plug of lime scale and it worked again. The second time my partner called my attention to having been constipated. When I took the cover off I found some very hard turds about sheep dropping or slightly larger. I disposed of these and tried again. A few pumps later it jammed again, and again there were more hard turds. Repeat several times and it now works ok. So they are passing the inlet valve but not the outlet valve.

My question is: why is this only happening now? Does the outlet valve aperture get clogged up by lime scale? Or does the rubber degrade? I'm quite happy to take it apart and replace parts but just wondering if this is normal.

 

[Boathook]

Are you pumping anough water through ? You don't say what type of toilet but I assume a lavac.
You should pump to clear the bowl and all the outlet pipework.

 

[alahol2]

I take our lavac pump apart every lay-up and yes there is a buildup of scale on the flap and joker valves. Scrape off and a smear of silicone grease and they're good for another year.

 

[mattonthesea]

I take our lavac pump apart every lay-up and yes there is a buildup of scale on the flap and joker valves. Scrape off and a smear of silicone grease and they're good for another year.

Another job for the off season then ?

 

[Old Harry]

Even desperate Dan wold b hard pressed to block a lavac??