Groco toilet won't pick up raw water

RoyS · Jun 23, 2018

Possibly a jellyfish in the raw water pickup. You should feel resistance at the pump if that line is blocked. Reverse flush the line with a hose from the dock. Did this a few days ago with a similar toilet.

dlochner · Jun 23, 2018

While it is unlikely that a jelly fish lives in Kansas, it is possible that something else is plugging the seacock.

Close the seacock, remove the hose, and then open the seacock. If you don't get a stream of water then you know it is plugged. Stick something down it to clear the clog. If you do get a stream of water, then you know the problem is in the pump.

Money spent on a rebuild kit and new seat is probably better spent on a new head.

jviss · Jun 23, 2018

dlochner said:
Money spent on a rebuild kit and new seat is probably better spent on a new head.

Seconded! The seat is $68, the kit is $60.

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Jun 23, 2018

According to Groco, the average lifespan for the HF is 9-11 years, so if yours is older than that it's time to replace it. The Raritan PHII has been the top rated manual toilet for 30 years...keep it lubricated, replace the joker valve annually and put a rebuild kit in it every 5-6 years and it'll easily last 20+ years.

The Raritan PH SuperFlush Raritan PH SuperFlush is the current version of the PHII...uses the PHII pump, but the base has been redesigned to match the mounting bolt pattern on most other manual toilets. Available as a complete toilet or as "conversion" (everything but the bowl, seat and lid). I couldn't find it in the sbo.com store, but I'm sure Dave can get it.

--Peggie
"If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't completely understand it yourself." --Albert Einstein

kloudie1 · Jun 23, 2018

The cheap guy in me .. the problem is in the little check valves inside the housing .. these are the valves that the lever activates .. sounds like the valves are stuck/jammed in the "dry bowl" position.. toilet seat:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Bemis-TC50TTA-Marine-Wood-Round-Toilet-Seat-White/22130025
That said, the Raritan is a much better unit.

jviss · Jun 23, 2018

@kloudie, I am in your camp. While the Raritan is superb, that Groco could be fixed for less than any other alternative. Only thing, is that seat the right size? It might be a compact, marine bowl.

kloudie1 · Jun 23, 2018

Yup.. correct size (pretty sure).. made by Bemis, the original supplier..
IF ya measure the toilet, this one may be correct as well:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/BEMIS-R...AkdkEALw_wcB&dclid=CMGe39mK6tsCFUQwaQodqbcKng

jviss · Jun 23, 2018

kloudie1 said:
Yup.. correct size (pretty sure).. made by Bemis, the original supplier.

Wow, great catch! That's 1/3 of what I found online.

Sailm8 · Jun 23, 2018

We called our old head "John Wayne" 'cuz it wouldn't take crap from anybody. Took Peggies advise and ordered a Raritan through the SBO store. Never have had a problem since.

BigEasy · Jun 23, 2018

jviss said:
@kloudie, I am in your camp. While the Raritan is superb, that Groco could be fixed for less than any other alternative. Only thing, is that seat the right size? It might be a compact, marine bowl.

Raritans should last longer, they are over twice the cost of competitors. Guess the old adage, "you get what you pay for" applies in this case. If I lived aboard, it would be worth the expense; however, for casual use, my el cheapo Jabsco works just fine at 10 years.

jviss · Jun 23, 2018

Sailm8 said:
We called our old head "John Wayne" 'cuz it wouldn't take crap from anybody.

Now that's funny right there.

jibes138 · Jun 23, 2018

Did you rotate the lever to the raw water flush position ? If you leave the lever in dry bowl setting for extended time it sticks in that position. Always flip it back after you pump the bowl dry!

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Jun 23, 2018

jibes138 said:
Did you rotate the lever to the raw water flush position ? If you leave the lever in dry bowl setting for extended time it sticks in that position. Always flip it back after you pump the bowl dry!

Your toilet must be a Jabsco...and it's only necessary to leave it in the wet position during winter and other EXTENDED layups. Leaving it in wet position can sink your boat if there's no vented loop in the intake. See the drawing on the firsst page that shows where to install it. Jabsco manual toilet short instructions
--Peggie
"If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't completely understand it yourself." --Albert Einstein

heritage · Jun 23, 2018

Same thing happened to me this Spring with my Groco head. This: https://www.marinesan.com/product-p/hf-1.htm is what you need to get the raw water flowing again.

jibes138 · Jun 24, 2018

No Peggie it's a Groco. The trick to not sinking the boat is to shut the seacock when unattended. The dry bowl lever holds the flapper shut and if I remember correctly the plastic bonds itself to the lever if left for a lengthy time like weeks. It's been several years since this happened but I always leave it in wet position where the lever is not stressing anything. If the head is used regularly probably not an issue.

jibes138 · Jun 24, 2018

No need to replace the whole head. You can buy a replacement pump assembly. That's what wears out. The bowl and base should be fine.

MitchM · Jun 24, 2018

Raritan requires you to "replace the joker valve annually and put a rebuild kit in it every 5-6 years and it'll easily last 20+ years..." ! No thanks! my par jabsco manual head needs a rebuild about every 10 years at a very reasonable cost. you can tell when you need to replace parts because seawater starts gradually coming in even though it's set to 'dry bowl.' and par jabsco has human beings who anser the t ech suppport phone and give detailed very good advice (--most recently , last week --on how to rebuild my 1978 Par Jabsco diaphragm freshwater and bilge pumps....)