Head maintenence - grease

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Jack

I while back there was a posting detailing the steps to take to grease the pump in the head. I can't seem to find the reference to that article, can someone please outline the steps again. Or point me to the proper link at this site. Thanks
 
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John Bannister

Head greasing

I have found that the easiest way to keep the heads pump in good condition is simply to pour some cooking oil into the head and flush it through. This is much easier and kinder on the rubber seals.
 
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress

The right way, Jack...

Once a year (fall is actually the best time, because it protects all the seals and valves from freeze damage), open up the pump and slather everything in it liberally with SuperLube, which is the same thick teflon grease that's in it when it leaves the factory. Unlike anything just poured down the toilet, it doesn't wash out in just a few flushes...it lasts at least the whole season. And it provides an opportunity to inspect the seals and o-rings and replace anything that's worn while you have it apart instead of discovering that you should have when the bowl is full and won't go down. A head squeaks due to friction between the seals and the pump housing. And every squeak wears the seals and o-rings a little. So just pouring something down the toilet each time it starts to squeak is a little unnecessary wear that results in more frequent rebuilds. And thin oils or other products poured down the toilet don't provide any protection from salt and grit that can score the pump housing. It takes about 30 minutes once a year to do it right vs. a never-ending battle to avoid doing that 30 minutes work....kinda like just adding a little oil to an engine each time it starts to smoke instead of changing the oil and filter regularly...it may keep it running for a while, but in the long run it'll cost you more.
 
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Frank Arndorfer

Please clarify..."the pump"

Peggy...please clarify what is 'the pump". Assume you mean the handle used for flushing water each time the head is used.?????
 
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress

What make/model toilet do you have, Frank?

If you don't know that, how does it work...what you do to flush it (in detail)?
 
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Frank Arndorfer

Make-Model

Peggy....it's a Jabsco unit factory installed on a Hunter 2001 H340. Freshwater flush, move a small vertical lever to the LEFT to wet, pump a vertical handle to pump into the holding tank. Jack...hope you don't feel like we're imposing on your post. Thanks much.
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Here you go Frank.

Frank: This should look like your head, there is also an explosion of the pump assy. You just need to grease the rod on the pump assy. http://www.jabsco.com/mantoil.asp
 
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress

Grease the inside of the pump cylinder, Frank

Not just the rod. It's the seals/o-rings on the rod that rub against the inside of the pump cylinder wall, and need protection from friction wear, as well as the cylinder wall itself. 'Cuz when the seals become worn and the pump wall gets scratched by sand and grit the pump can't prime very well. When that happens, the toilet not only can't bring in as much flush water as it should, it has less and less pressure to push bowl contents out and through the discharge hose...resulting in clogs. The flapper valve at the top of the pump also needs grease. Iow, apply a liberal slathering of teflon grease to everything inside the pump cylinder and the cylinder wall itself.
 
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