Hi Peggie, The manual pump on my el-cheapo jabsco head becomes quite hard to operate, and I followed your previoius advice to lube thoroughly with teflon lube. This made it work like new, but only for about less than a week, and then it becomes tough to work again. I suspect the o-ring wipes away the lube. What should I do next? Thanks.
- Status
How much grease did you use?
And how did you apply it? If you tried to flush it down the toilet, that doesn't work...it just flushes out in a wad. If you took the top off the pump--as you should have done--it doesn't sound like you used anywhere near enough. To do it right, which should last a full season: take the top off the pump and put a HEALTHY squirt of the grease into the pump. Pump a few times to spread it all over the inside of the pump cylinder. Repeat. Put the top back on. If you DID do it right, it's not lack of grease that's making your toilet stiff. Is it stiff in both the wet and the dry modes?
And how did you apply it? If you tried to flush it down the toilet, that doesn't work...it just flushes out in a wad. If you took the top off the pump--as you should have done--it doesn't sound like you used anywhere near enough. To do it right, which should last a full season: take the top off the pump and put a HEALTHY squirt of the grease into the pump. Pump a few times to spread it all over the inside of the pump cylinder. Repeat. Put the top back on. If you DID do it right, it's not lack of grease that's making your toilet stiff. Is it stiff in both the wet and the dry modes?
Reply Re; Jabsco haed problem
Yes, I removed the pump piston and greased the O-ring of the pump and put plenty into the "barrel" as well. It is stiff in both modes, wet and dry, after several days of use.
Yes, I removed the pump piston and greased the O-ring of the pump and put plenty into the "barrel" as well. It is stiff in both modes, wet and dry, after several days of use.
Check your tank vent, George...
If it's blocked, it could be creating backpressure that's making your toilet hard to pump. Greasing the o-ring is wasted effort...'cuz it's inside of the pump cylinder that needs the grease to prevent. If you used enough grease--at least a couple of tablespoons--it should take a full season or even longer for all of it to wash out. Simplest way to find out whether you used enough or not: flush a tablespoon of mineral oil or vegetable oil. If that cures the problem, the pump just needs more grease. If doesn't, well...your toilet IS a Jabsco, and they are highly failure prone.
If it's blocked, it could be creating backpressure that's making your toilet hard to pump. Greasing the o-ring is wasted effort...'cuz it's inside of the pump cylinder that needs the grease to prevent. If you used enough grease--at least a couple of tablespoons--it should take a full season or even longer for all of it to wash out. Simplest way to find out whether you used enough or not: flush a tablespoon of mineral oil or vegetable oil. If that cures the problem, the pump just needs more grease. If doesn't, well...your toilet IS a Jabsco, and they are highly failure prone.
What's "Plan B", Peggie
Lot's of interesting input, but I wonder where to go from here. Peggie, do you think that SuperLube would last any longer than teflon grease? I've seriously considered replacing the head (with one with a larger bowl) but the platform in the 430 that the head sits on seems to be designed around the dimensions of the Jabsco head, and there is absolutely no room to mount a head with a larger bowl. Has anyone found a suitable replacement?
Lot's of interesting input, but I wonder where to go from here. Peggie, do you think that SuperLube would last any longer than teflon grease? I've seriously considered replacing the head (with one with a larger bowl) but the platform in the 430 that the head sits on seems to be designed around the dimensions of the Jabsco head, and there is absolutely no room to mount a head with a larger bowl. Has anyone found a suitable replacement?
SuperLube IS teflon grease
That is, the SuperLube thick grease that's in a tube is (SuperLube makes a whole line of lubricants...the thick grease is a tube is the one to use to lube toilets). What did you use? 'Cuz all teflon grease products are not created equal. If you used a liquid or a thin gel, that's most likely what's causing your problem...whatever you used is washing out almost as fast you put it into the pump. As for which toilet, I'd go with the Raritan PH II or PHC. You may not get your wish for a larger bowl, but you will get a toilet that'll last more than 15 minutes.
That is, the SuperLube thick grease that's in a tube is (SuperLube makes a whole line of lubricants...the thick grease is a tube is the one to use to lube toilets). What did you use? 'Cuz all teflon grease products are not created equal. If you used a liquid or a thin gel, that's most likely what's causing your problem...whatever you used is washing out almost as fast you put it into the pump. As for which toilet, I'd go with the Raritan PH II or PHC. You may not get your wish for a larger bowl, but you will get a toilet that'll last more than 15 minutes.
Teflon grease
The teflon grease I used was Starbrite White PTEF Lubricant, slightly thicker than vaseline. Should be the right stuff. What do you think? Thanks for the recommendations for the heads. Summer project! George
The teflon grease I used was Starbrite White PTEF Lubricant, slightly thicker than vaseline. Should be the right stuff. What do you think? Thanks for the recommendations for the heads. Summer project! George
D'd if I know, George...
They call it a "teflon grease," but the MSD, which you can find in the list on their products here: http://www.starbrite.com/msds.cfm doesn't mention any Teflon--which is a trademarked product--in the ingredients...the MSDS calls it a "wax based grease" that's "great on zippers and winches etc"...no mention of toilet pumps. There's one way to find out: It's 10 minute job--less than 1/4 the time you've spent here--that will cost you all of about $4 to lube your toilet again with SuperLube Teflon grease. If that solves your problem, the Starbrite stuff was the wrong grease. If it doesn't, your problem isn't due to lack of lubrication.
They call it a "teflon grease," but the MSD, which you can find in the list on their products here: http://www.starbrite.com/msds.cfm doesn't mention any Teflon--which is a trademarked product--in the ingredients...the MSDS calls it a "wax based grease" that's "great on zippers and winches etc"...no mention of toilet pumps. There's one way to find out: It's 10 minute job--less than 1/4 the time you've spent here--that will cost you all of about $4 to lube your toilet again with SuperLube Teflon grease. If that solves your problem, the Starbrite stuff was the wrong grease. If it doesn't, your problem isn't due to lack of lubrication.
Super Lube?? Which one???
I went on line and found a number of different Superlube products but none that indicated "thick grease" Does anyone know that actual product name? Many thanks, Bob
I went on line and found a number of different Superlube products but none that indicated "thick grease" Does anyone know that actual product name? Many thanks, Bob
Will try it.
I'll try to get some SuperLube Teflon Grease and give it a shot. BTW, the MSDS sheet states that it is polytetrafluroethylene, which DuPont calls Teflon, but refers to as PTFE instead of PTEF. Either StarBrite holds a license from DuPont to use the name "Teflon" on their product, or they are gonna be in BIG trouble, as the name "Teflon" is a registered DuPont trademark and can only be used under license, according to the DuPont web site. Any lawyers in the crowd?
I'll try to get some SuperLube Teflon Grease and give it a shot. BTW, the MSDS sheet states that it is polytetrafluroethylene, which DuPont calls Teflon, but refers to as PTFE instead of PTEF. Either StarBrite holds a license from DuPont to use the name "Teflon" on their product, or they are gonna be in BIG trouble, as the name "Teflon" is a registered DuPont trademark and can only be used under license, according to the DuPont web site. Any lawyers in the crowd?
Teflon®-based greases
The Super Lube shown in Rick D's link is the correct stuff, and that is an EXCELLENT price for it (the best I've seen). I got the link to work the first time I tried it, but I can't get it to work now. At any rate, Super Lube is highly resistant to water "washaway" - the other Teflon® grease that has been referred to, may not have as good a resistance to being washed away.
The Super Lube shown in Rick D's link is the correct stuff, and that is an EXCELLENT price for it (the best I've seen). I got the link to work the first time I tried it, but I can't get it to work now. At any rate, Super Lube is highly resistant to water "washaway" - the other Teflon® grease that has been referred to, may not have as good a resistance to being washed away.
Shipping Cost for Lube
I found the price for the Superlube was $3.99 but the shipping using UPS Ground is $10.51. Are there stores that carry this product so that the shipping costs can be saved? I realize that it may be considered "Hazzard" when shipping. Bob
I found the price for the Superlube was $3.99 but the shipping using UPS Ground is $10.51. Are there stores that carry this product so that the shipping costs can be saved? I realize that it may be considered "Hazzard" when shipping. Bob
Try a bicycle shop for this product
I would suggest that you try a bicycle shop for Superlube. I have also picked it up at my local Lowe's Home Center.
I would suggest that you try a bicycle shop for Superlube. I have also picked it up at my local Lowe's Home Center.
Super Lube at Amazon
I found Super Lube teflon grease at Amozon.com. I ordered a 14 oz container for $8.73, and $5.99 for shipping. Not too bad IF it works better than the StarBrite stuff. We'll see.
I found Super Lube teflon grease at Amozon.com. I ordered a 14 oz container for $8.73, and $5.99 for shipping. Not too bad IF it works better than the StarBrite stuff. We'll see.
- Status