Gurgling Jabsco Toilet

[BobSail]

Peggie:I've studied your book, this web site, pulled my vent screen, and ensured the vent is clear. Our 2004 vintage compact manual Jabsco toilet is still giving us fits. It seems to work fine during wet mode, but gurgles during dry pump without much efficiency. And I'm also hearing the intake loop vent wheeze some during the dry mode, which I presume shouldn't occur (this is the only vented loop in the system). The toilet continues to gurgle slightly on its own in the dry mode when not being operated (with the intake thru-hull open). I removed the pump housing top and inspected the rubber gasket/valve and mode lever arrangement, which appeared to be ok. But I'm still wondering if there is some blow-by in this area. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Replacement is on our list, but we'd like to make it through the season first. Thanks Peggie!

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I don't think anything is wrong...

I THINK the gurgling you're hearing is the ocean gurgling in your toilet's thru-hull and discharge hose between the thru-hull and the waterline. It rises in the discharge line because water always seeks its own level..You flush, pushing the bowl contents out...the ocean "fights back," refilling the discharge hose. Close the seacock between head uses, and I think it'll stop gurgling. The seacock should be kept closed at all times except when the head is in use anyway.As for the "wheezing" in the vented loop in the intake...unless the loop is in the wrong place (between the thru-hull and pump, instead of between the pump and the bowl where it belongs), that "wheezing" is the sound of water/air being pushed out the air valve...which shouldn't happen. Adjust or clean the air valve and it should stop wheezing.If it is the wrong place, that wheezing is the sound of air being pulled into the loop to break a siphon...which also interferes with the pump's ability to prime. The only fix for it is, move it where it belongs.

 

[BobSail]

Loop Air Valve OK

Thanks Peggie. Sorry I forgot to mention that I unscrewed and checked the vented loop air valve, and it looks ok as well (looks somewhat like a small single-vane joker valve). The loop is between the pump and the bowl (a closed-system Hunter Factory install with holding tank). We do religiously keep the intake thru-hull closed unless tied-up at the end of the day, when we anticipate more frequent use from our guests. The vent wheezing is what made me wonder about the pump valves. Should the pump be able to push air toward (or vacuum from?) the vented loop in the dry mode? We just no longer seem to be able to move flush water very easily from the bowl in dry mode. Thank you again.

 

[Fred Klein]

Check the Joker Valve

You might want to check the Joker Valve at the base of the pump where it connects to the discharge hose. Sometimes they turn inside out and allow fluid from the hose to gurgle back into the bowl. It's simple to remove the 2 screws and remove the housing. The closed end of the valve should be pointing toward the hose. If not, replace it, or if it's not too old, simply push the end through so the closed end faces the right (toward the hose) way.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

A pump as new as yours SHOULD be able to

to push flush water or air up to 6' with no problem...so maybe there's a problem after all. I don't think the vented loop in the intake is the issue...it shouldn't wheeze, but apparently the air valve is leaking very slightly--but from your description, I don't it's leaking enough to impact the efficiency of the toilet pump. Is it just not emptying the bowl, or is it "fighting back?" If it is, you prob'ly have an obstruction downstream of it. You checked the vent thru-hull...did you also check the connection on the tank? 'Cuz that's very common place for vent blockage on sailboats.Your joker valve is only a year old, so it's highly unlikely that it has anything to do with it, unless something is caught it or sea water minerals have built up in/on it....still worth checking, though. If it's not a vent blockage or a mineral buildup in the joker valve, there's only one thing left: something in the toilet pump has failed. If you haven't had the boat a full 12 months yet, the toilet is still under warranty...so after you've eliminated all the other possibilities, call your dealer for a replacement. If he's too far away to swap it out for you, it's not that hard a job to do yourself.

 

[BobSail]

Thanks for your replies

The pump seems to work fine in the wet mode, pumping intake water back to the tank with normal piston pressure. It just acts funny during the dry mode. Although I know the vent line is clear, I am unsure about the vent hose tank connection. We can eventually get the bowl to empty, but not without a big fight (coughing, gurgling, and sputtering the whole time). It is definitely not acting normally as compared to last season. We're past the warranty, but hope to replace it with a Raritan at season's end.Thank you for all of your thoughts. I'll take this thread to the boat as an outline for tracking down a solution.