Jabsco intake failing to suck up raw water

[Sailor King]

Head Type: JABSCO 29090-2000The pump will suck out waste but doesn't suck in water. I have taken the pump apart and looked at everything. Everything seems okay (no blockage or anything). I can suck water from the intake hose by using a manual bilge pump, but for the life of me can't get the Jabsco pump to suck in water. When i put my hand over the intake valve on the pump it creates no suckage (I don’t think that’s a word ) I'm about to buy a new head but since i can't find anything wrong with the one i have, i'm not sure thats the problem.My main question is should the pump actually suck water from the intake hose or does something else and the Jabsco pump just allows the water to come in when you flip the pump-in switch? I have tried everything that i could find on this forum related to this issue. So if anyone has any ideas or can assure me the pump should create suckage enough for me to fill it on my hand then that would satisfy my need for a new pump.cheers and calm seas!-king

 

[jaysweet]

flapper valves

We ruined 2 sets of valves in a Jabsco by using vinegar in the head. You can get a rebuild kit which includes new rubber valves, and this should fix it. We had the same symptoms as you have. It was just deformed rubber valves.

 

[jaysweet]

By the way...

yes. The pump sucks water from the intake, and then expels it into the head, while simultaneously moving waste out. Or it should if it were working properly. Good luck.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I bet you left vinegar sitting in the bowl,

Vinegar has only one purpose: to prevent sea water mineral buildup in the head discharge hose. It does no good whatever if left sitting in the bowl...but it will cause any soft rubber parts that are left soaking in it to swell and distort...which is what yours did.Just a cupful once a week, flushed OUT of the toilet and ALL the way through the hose will not harm the rubber parts in the toilet, but will prevent sea water mineral buildup in the hose.(How many times have I already said this?)

 

[Ctskip]

482 times ,but who's counting

Thanks for all you've done to make the boaters world odoriferous.Thank you. Keep it up, Ctskip

 

[Sailor King]

Problem Solved

Problem Solved. I didn't have to buy a rebuild kit or a new head at all!The solution:West Marine Head Lube! Everyone i talked to talked about rebuild kit and new pump or clogged this and that. So when i went to West Marine i was looking at all the products around the Head area, and i saw head lube. Read it and for 7$ i tried it. Within minutes i was pumping again. I was kind of shocked no one said anything about this very simple check. The lube creates the suction needed and bam... a working product. So before you spend $$$ on head repair kits ect. ect.. try the simple things. they just might work.P.S.Vinegar??? No Vinegar was left or ever tried. But i'll remember that for salt water build up in the future.thanks guys!-king