We have a 2007 H31 with a Jabsco manual flush head. This recent trip we noticed that liquid is seeping back into the bowl after dry flushing. Do we need a seal replacement on the handle portion or something a little deeper down in the plumbing? Thanks for any experienced advice. Brett
head issue...advice?
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Ask Peggy!
Brett-
I'd be tempted to say it might be the joker valve but I would ask Peggy Hall the Headmistress over on the ask the experts forum. Peggy knows all things Jabsco!
Brett-
I'd be tempted to say it might be the joker valve but I would ask Peggy Hall the Headmistress over on the ask the experts forum. Peggy knows all things Jabsco!
Princess is correct on both counts.. Probably joker and listen to Peggy... You can replace the entire pump with a "Twist and Lock" which will stop that backflow, even if the joker gets a little leaky.. But it probably is the joker valve and ya also need to check to make sure that the tank vent is clear so you aren't building pressure in the holding tank and forcing stuff back thru the joker.. Pump out and flush with fresh water a couple of times before disassembling !!! (flush three or four times , then pump out.. Then flush three or four times and pump out.. Fill from the pump out port and pump that out a couple more times) do that before disassembly..
By the time you purchase the new pump assy. you might as well buy a new Raritan PH head. Yes it will cost a little more but you will have the sanity of a quality head that is very trouble free.
First thing I'd check is the holding tank vent
Especially if the head seems to be getting harder to pump. But even if it isn't, tank vent needs to be checked regularly and back flushed EVERY time you wash the boat and/or pump out to keep it open.
And then I'd replace the joker valve. That should be done in any manual toilet AT LEAST every other year...annually if you use the boat...to keep the toilet working. 'Cuz if the joker valve becomes too worn to seal on the upstroke, the pump can't push anything out of the bowl on the downstroke.
If that doesn't solve the problem, I'd upgrade the toilet to one that can provide more than a couple of years of reliable service...I definitely would NOT put ANY money into this one!
Btw, Kloudie...if the vent is blocked the tank can't be pumped out. The pumpout will just pull a vacuum. A particularly strong pumpout could even implode the tank.
Especially if the head seems to be getting harder to pump. But even if it isn't, tank vent needs to be checked regularly and back flushed EVERY time you wash the boat and/or pump out to keep it open.
And then I'd replace the joker valve. That should be done in any manual toilet AT LEAST every other year...annually if you use the boat...to keep the toilet working. 'Cuz if the joker valve becomes too worn to seal on the upstroke, the pump can't push anything out of the bowl on the downstroke.
If that doesn't solve the problem, I'd upgrade the toilet to one that can provide more than a couple of years of reliable service...I definitely would NOT put ANY money into this one!
Btw, Kloudie...if the vent is blocked the tank can't be pumped out. The pumpout will just pull a vacuum. A particularly strong pumpout could even implode the tank.
Not Expert
Sounds like it may need a new joker value and some lube each year should be done,wait for peggy to jump in.
I would service your Jabsco as needed and get as many years as possible since it is very new and when it's done switch to PHII,I hated my headmate on my 2007 H-36 from day one and changed it any way even I was sent 2 new pumps for it and should have gooten the PHII first off but who knew and love our PHII ever since with out service since 2008.
Nick
Sounds like it may need a new joker value and some lube each year should be done,wait for peggy to jump in.
I would service your Jabsco as needed and get as many years as possible since it is very new and when it's done switch to PHII,I hated my headmate on my 2007 H-36 from day one and changed it any way even I was sent 2 new pumps for it and should have gooten the PHII first off but who knew and love our PHII ever since with out service since 2008.
Nick
Yup.. for sure, Peggy.. I noted that the vent should be clear... but you arre right, I didn't stress that enough.. The entire Jabsco twist and lock pump assembly can be purchased for about $80 versus over $230 for the conversion (and shipping).. I agree, the Raritan is a LOT better and the conversion kit is the way to go, but some of us are uuuhhhhh... frugal.. (yeah, that is the word instead of cheap).. I am saving my pennies now to convert my twist and lock with the kit sold here, but the Jabsco is still working well..
You know I think this thread on fixing a Jabsco comes up monthly. I've been following Peggy Hall since she started 'way back when she was advising her mom on diapers--anyway it was a long time ago. Let me give you some advice from an expert, change the darn jabsco head out now for a Raritan PHC or a PH ii. You're going to do it one of these days anyway. I have replaced six Jabsco heads over the years--they will fail whether you use them or not.
But here is a point that no one makes but I believe is true. Having a Raritan head is a selling point if and when you sell your boat. I've sold a number of my boats and knowledgeable buyers will note that my boat has a Raritan and say something like "good head" and go on in the inspection. It's the Max prop of the heads. (sorry, I'm being silly here.)
But here is a point that no one makes but I believe is true. Having a Raritan head is a selling point if and when you sell your boat. I've sold a number of my boats and knowledgeable buyers will note that my boat has a Raritan and say something like "good head" and go on in the inspection. It's the Max prop of the heads. (sorry, I'm being silly here.)
Rick:
I have begged you for a couple of years to get mental health counseling for your Jabsco issues but you have refused.
Maybe we need to have some face time to convince you?!
I have begged you for a couple of years to get mental health counseling for your Jabsco issues but you have refused.
Maybe we need to have some face time to convince you?!
:dance: Kloudie...just 3 of those $80 pumps would MORE than pay for a PHC...so seems to me than you and Rick are equally "frugal."
:dance:
It's a new day Steve! Before next season, she'll have two new PH's! My Psychologist thanks you too...
Yeah yeah yeah...
He's never gonna do it, Steve...that d'd toilet has become a badge honor that he's not ABOUT to give up, no matter how much it costs him. In a weak moment a few years ago he let me back him into a corner and now he's stuck there...trying to figure out how to get out of it till his boat turns to dust...or he does! :stirthepot:
Promise, promises...:naughty:
He's never gonna do it, Steve...that d'd toilet has become a badge honor that he's not ABOUT to give up, no matter how much it costs him. In a weak moment a few years ago he let me back him into a corner and now he's stuck there...trying to figure out how to get out of it till his boat turns to dust...or he does! :stirthepot:
laughing.. As usual, Peggy you are right on !
My experience with the Jabsco has not been that bad.. The first head in my boat was an old Mansfield that I took good care of.. it failed after 17 years.. (weighted flapper valve at the pump base) the evening before leaving on a cruise; no local parts available.. I wanted a Raritan and had taken measurements etc, but the local WM didn't have one .. they did have the Jabsco so that is what I got.. It has been OK for three years now.. Looks like the little lip seal in the top of the pump will be the first thing to fail but I have another one to put in there.. Yes I disassemble and clean it every year.. and clean and re-face the flapper valves and lube the cam, etc.. Most flushes are on Bayou water which is fresh, but it gets used off shore too..
(no, I don't work for Jabsco!.. but I am very....uuhhhh frugal) )
My experience with the Jabsco has not been that bad.. The first head in my boat was an old Mansfield that I took good care of.. it failed after 17 years.. (weighted flapper valve at the pump base) the evening before leaving on a cruise; no local parts available.. I wanted a Raritan and had taken measurements etc, but the local WM didn't have one .. they did have the Jabsco so that is what I got.. It has been OK for three years now.. Looks like the little lip seal in the top of the pump will be the first thing to fail but I have another one to put in there.. Yes I disassemble and clean it every year.. and clean and re-face the flapper valves and lube the cam, etc.. Most flushes are on Bayou water which is fresh, but it gets used off shore too..
(no, I don't work for Jabsco!.. but I am very....uuhhhh frugal) )
Princess is correct. It is likely the joker valve. Within the first week of the purchase of my Hunter 386 in February I replaced it as we discovered it was leaking. It’s a routine preventative maintenance item.
Got back to the dock and discovered the leaking was not from the holding tank after we flushed out but from the inlet.
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