Jabsco head repairs story.

[Wayne Estabrooks]

BTW Thanks for all of your good advice and help over the years.My 1997 Hunter came with the standard issue compact Jabsco manual head. It is now nearly 4 years old and last year I bought a complete new head on sale for $99 to keep as spare parts. A spare pump assembly was $92 so I figured a complete head for $99 was not a bad deal. In fact I noticed they are on sale now at Boat / U.S. again right now for $99. At the end of last season, the head wasn't working right, the piston was squeaking when raised up and down. It didn't seem to pump sea water in very well but seemed to dry the bowl ok. Last weekend I removed the pump assembly and installed the complete new pump with outlet tailpiece and joker valve on the original bowl. It works like new again. I took the old pump assembly home and took it apart last night to see what was wrong with it and I planned to rebuild it and have it ready to replace the one I just installed when it ever needs it. Taking apart the old pump, (I suspected I would find damaged valves in the top part or some debris under the valves preventing them sealing properly. The valves looked clean and fine but instead I found that the main piston "O" ring was broken in half and half was missing. It was only a semicircle. I was surprised to know that the lower "dry bowl" pump was still working but it must not have had full pressure. My question, it looks like the effluent could leak by the piston in this situation and be recycled into the bowl. Do you know what might have caused this failure. Debris?, O Ring stuck to side of cylinder and tore? I know you recommend rebuilding marine heads on a regular basis. How often? Anyway I ordered a new piston assembly to repair this one. Why are the parts and repair kits so expensive? Thanks again Peggy for your help and excellent advice. Pardon all the rambling on.Wayne s/v Wind Drift h340

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

It failed because it's cheaply made, with

the cheapest materials, cheaper to replace than maintain. Chuck it...'cuz if you put it back, something else will fail. Just keep buying new ones on sale and replacing 'em. Or--for about $200 you can buy a toilet that will last 10-15 years if you rebuild it every 2-3 years.

 

[Wynn Ferrel]

I'm having the same proglem, Wayne

Since we both have H340's, we are bound to run into common problems. I am having the same problems with my Jabsco head. Peggy is right. It boils down to cheap OEM parts. See my "review" of the H340 that I wrote a couple of days ago, discussing OEM pats. My plan is to replace the Jabsco head with a Raritan head this season and just get past the cheapos. Peggy says that Raritan is good stuff, and that's good enough for me.Wynn Ferrel

 

[Wayne Estabrooks]

Thanks Peggy & Wynn

Thanks Peggy & Wynn for the advice.Wynn let me know how the upgrade goes when you do it. Regards Wayne

 

[Les Blackwell]

Jabsco sent me parts

Sometime ago on this web site, I believe, someone mentioned that some Jabsco pumps were squeaking and if you called the company, they would replace the pump unit. My pump was doing just that so I called the company and without questions, they sent me a new pump. It took only a few minutes to connect the hoses (follow Peggy's advice on this) and tighten in the new pump. Works well now and it didn't cost a farthing.I will probably follow Peggy's advice when it get older and buy a new one but I'm doing all the things she suggests and its working well for the moment.