When I place the valve in the "discharge" position, each upward, or discharge stroke, only sucks out a small amount of water, thus making it necessary to pump 30 or more times just to get to the bottom. It almost feels like it's not getting a big enough "bite" or that it's getting air in the hose from somewhere. Is this possible? (The head on my old boat used just 6-7 pumps to emty the bowl, with 5-6 more to clear the line) I previously put a cup of vegetable oil through the intake line to lubricate the pump, which now works smoothly ( on both "intake" and "discharge" sides )but I can't understand why it requires so much pumping to empty it. Is there a diaphram or gasket which is worn out or faulty and causing this to happen? The head is only two(2) years old.
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Sounds like the pump seals aren't sealing
completely. This can be due to any number of causes--the seals are worn...some debris or grit has gotten into the pump that's either still there, or has scored the inside of the pump housing. It's time to rebuild the toilet.
completely. This can be due to any number of causes--the seals are worn...some debris or grit has gotten into the pump that's either still there, or has scored the inside of the pump housing. It's time to rebuild the toilet.
Had the same problem on my Groco.
Took it apart and found the bottom rubber flapper valve had swollen causing it to not close all the way. Probably, because before we knew any better, we cleaned the pot with bleach. Now we use CP. I just trimmed off the excess on the valve with scissors and it works fine. BTW, BoatUS sells individual parts for most brands of heads without buying the rebuild kit. I bought a new spare valve for $9 and a spare joker valve for $8.
Took it apart and found the bottom rubber flapper valve had swollen causing it to not close all the way. Probably, because before we knew any better, we cleaned the pot with bleach. Now we use CP. I just trimmed off the excess on the valve with scissors and it works fine. BTW, BoatUS sells individual parts for most brands of heads without buying the rebuild kit. I bought a new spare valve for $9 and a spare joker valve for $8.
Don, you spent $20 (incl tax) for two parts
For less than another $20, you can buy the whole rebuild kit. And if you have to take the pump apart anyway to replace those two parts, why not just replace 'em all at the same time, and eliminate the need to take it apart again for another couple of years? You wouldn't change just one park plug at a time in your car engine...or drain & replace just one quart of oil at a time...would you?
For less than another $20, you can buy the whole rebuild kit. And if you have to take the pump apart anyway to replace those two parts, why not just replace 'em all at the same time, and eliminate the need to take it apart again for another couple of years? You wouldn't change just one park plug at a time in your car engine...or drain & replace just one quart of oil at a time...would you?
$20 ??
Actually, a rebuild kit for a Groco is 49.99. It has a bunch of parts I didn't need and besides, I already had a kit that came with the boat that was only missing those 2 itiems. A Groco is so simple, it should last forever with only minor maintenance.
Actually, a rebuild kit for a Groco is 49.99. It has a bunch of parts I didn't need and besides, I already had a kit that came with the boat that was only missing those 2 itiems. A Groco is so simple, it should last forever with only minor maintenance.
What do you mean "a bunch of parts I don't need?"
How do you know you don't need them--because they haven't failed yet? How can you know how close the rest of the seals, valves and gaskets are to failing, one at a time? Do you only replace the one tire that goes flat when all 4 are bald? The only difference between tires and the rubber parts in your toilet is that you can see how worn your tires are...you can't see how worn the seals etc in a marine toilet are. But there's one thing you can count on: By the time even one part has failed completely in a marine toilet, the rest are badly worn...the odds of your "needing" ALL the parts in a rebuild kit at the same time are about the same as the odds of 4 bald tires going flat at the same time. Replacing only the one or two that have failed is a sure way to keep taking the pump apart repeatedly to replace each one as it does fail. Rebuilding it when the first valve starts leaking, or the pump doesn't pump as well as it used to is called PREVENTIVE maintenance, and it reduces the odds that the toilet will need a repair by about 90%. The beauty of rebuilding is that you get to choose when to do it--when the toilet is clean and dry. Repairs inevitably are required when the bowl is full and it won't go down. It's up to you when and how often you want to take your own head apart, but my toilet NEEDED parts that equal half--or even nearly half the price of a rebuild kit, I'd replace 'em all while I have it apart to replace one.
How do you know you don't need them--because they haven't failed yet? How can you know how close the rest of the seals, valves and gaskets are to failing, one at a time? Do you only replace the one tire that goes flat when all 4 are bald? The only difference between tires and the rubber parts in your toilet is that you can see how worn your tires are...you can't see how worn the seals etc in a marine toilet are. But there's one thing you can count on: By the time even one part has failed completely in a marine toilet, the rest are badly worn...the odds of your "needing" ALL the parts in a rebuild kit at the same time are about the same as the odds of 4 bald tires going flat at the same time. Replacing only the one or two that have failed is a sure way to keep taking the pump apart repeatedly to replace each one as it does fail. Rebuilding it when the first valve starts leaking, or the pump doesn't pump as well as it used to is called PREVENTIVE maintenance, and it reduces the odds that the toilet will need a repair by about 90%. The beauty of rebuilding is that you get to choose when to do it--when the toilet is clean and dry. Repairs inevitably are required when the bowl is full and it won't go down. It's up to you when and how often you want to take your own head apart, but my toilet NEEDED parts that equal half--or even nearly half the price of a rebuild kit, I'd replace 'em all while I have it apart to replace one.
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