Anyone familiar with the Jabsco 36950-2000 FW pump

[Skipper]

Howdy,

Freshwater pump (pic) leaks suddenly. Hasn't been used since December - full of antifreeze.

Now it leaks from the bottom; I think from the center screw on the bottom plate. Only leaks when pressurized. Drools about 2-3 ounces a minute. I tightened the in\output connections - no leaks there. Also tightened the screws. Still leaks.

I now suspect the gasket under the bottom plate. Jabsco calls it a "Pulsation Dampener" (pic).

Anyone had this issue with this pump? I would hate to play hit-and-miss with parts repleacement, if this issue sounds familiar to anyone. What about gasket sealer instead of a new part?

This is the stock pump that Bristol installed 27 years ago. Amazingly, the identical model is still available from Jabsco, but it's $375, so I'm hoping to get another 27 years out of this one

 

[tommays]

My first one was who knows how old but like yours a good 30 years and it started many small leaks

It did NOT survive the tear down so i was HAPPY i did not waste money on the rebuild kit before taking it apart to look at its condition

The issue was one of the 1/4-20 bolts breaking in the plastic housing and the motor was also getting tired and about then Defender had a great sale on a new one and Yes i could have fixed it but i felt it had reached a point of negitive return

 

[heritage]

Another option would be to replace the Jabsco pump with a newer style pump made by Jabsco, Flotec, or Shurflo. They are smaller, quieter, have fewer moving parts, and cost less than the old style belt driven pumps. These type pumps dominate the RV and boating industry now.

 

[Skipper]

Thank you,

This model is specific to the application - multi-fixture, hot water, pressurized accumulator.

Not sure if any of that matters, and I guess other pumps might work, but when in doubt I've learned to trust Bristol's original decisions.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Hasn't been used since December - full of antifreeze.

Could well be the reason. It looks like a very good diaphragm pump, but the pump face is made of a rubber-ish compound which most likely doesn't like immersion in antifreeze. Maybe you've been doing this for years and it finally came up. Check with Peggie Hall.

Diaphragm pumps can be run dry, so you don't need to leave antifreeze IN the pump.

You can replace it with the (expensive) like, great pumps and will last for another 27 years, or get one of the newer variable flow pumps. Or just get a standard drinking water pump, and decide whether or not the cycling is for you, or buy an accumulator.

Lotsa choices.

 

[Gunni]

I had one years ago. It used to be the king of pumps. They are relatively high volume pumps (4 gpm if I remember) and at the time quiet. Rebuilt it once but the second time I replaced it with an updated model, for less, no problem, just as quiet. In my case the large diaphragm on the bottom had a pin-hole and the water that got past it dripped out the bolt hole. The body is made of some kind of Bakelite - how is that for ancient, and when that cracked it was totalled. Just threw the thing away a year ago.