Jabsco Toilet Rebuild

sailingdog · Apr 10, 2009

Generally, if someone has a Jabsco head, I recommend they replace it if it needs repair.

Chances are good that your head is the model prior to 1998, since it sounds like they changed the design a bit.

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Apr 10, 2009

I do wish more people would ask questions before spending money!

'Cuz I agree with sailingdog when it comes to whether to replace a jabsco toilet or spend more than half the price of a new toilet to put a "service kit" in it: replace it...with just about anything BUT another Jabsco.

But since you've already spent the money for the "service kit" (without first making sure you got the right one for your toilet's vintage)...email Mike Irving at Jabsco CS michhael.irving@itt.com or call him: 978-282-5227. He'll solve your immediate problem.

Next time you have a problem with it--which won't be long...come back for advice BEFORE you spend any more money?

Ross · Apr 10, 2009

Re: I do wish more people would ask questions before spending money!

Read the favorable comments about Raritan PH II toilets on this site.

sailingdog · Apr 10, 2009

Ooopps.. I should have said something about brands... The Raritan PHC/PHII and the Lavacs are generally well regarded.

sandpiper10471 · Apr 11, 2009

When Jabsco remodeled their head they did a smart thing - they changed the colour of the pump handle. Make sure your new parts match the handle. Rebuild kits have printed upon the packaging the appropriate colour.

sailingdog · Apr 11, 2009

But they still make a lousy product... so what's the point.

sandpiper10471 said:
When Jabsco remodeled their head they did a smart thing - they changed the colour of the pump handle. Make sure your new parts match the handle. Rebuild kits have printed upon the packaging the appropriate colour.

Bill Murray · Apr 11, 2009

The differance in all three models is the pump assembly....

at the top of the assembly where the pump handle goes through the housing is the gasket that switches the pump operation from pump in to pump out and a lever that switches the operation from dry bowl to wet bowl operation. The compartment where this takes place is shaped differently on the diffeant models. it is rectangular in one set (maybe the older ones), and has a rounded front in the other. the package I got at west marine was marked with a picture showing the rectangular or rounded shapes as appropriate. look at your pump and go for a match. No matter how old your toiilet is, the PO may have added a newer pump assembly. The most recent model has a "twist lock" feature to lock the pump in the dry bowl operation mode.

save money and don't buy the whole rebuild kit. It contains a lot of parts you probably do not need. If you study the exploded diagrams, you should be able to discern which rubber parts you need for a repair. most often you will need a joker valve, a top valve gasket, the orings for the internal pump plunger and the o-rings to seal the shaft where the pump handle exits the housing.

be sure to lubricate the inside of the pump body with waterproof silicone grease -- it really makes the pump work better and longer and reduces the effort required to pump considerably.

if you need a new pump (maybe it froze and cracked last winter) buy a new complete head. The complete jabsco toilet is sometimes on sail at WM for essentially the same price as trhe pump assembly. Better yet, do what Peggy says (always) and buy a better model.

Skipper · Apr 11, 2009

Priming failure

Been using Jabsco head since obtained current boat over 3 years ago, 2 of us, 3 days a week, every week. Hasn't failed yet, however regarding your head's failure to prime:

This happens at least once a month with mine and the head is only a few years old. I think debris bits such as kelp pieces or sea grass get in the valve and keep it open. I opened the top one day and found these types of things hanging out in there. Or somehow air gets in the sea water line from pumping the bowl completely out or if I sail and heal too far, air enters the thru hull.

In any case, if this happens I vigorously work the handle at ferarri piston speed and this always clears it and reinitiates the suction. Be sure to cover to bottom of the bowl with tp to prevent splash up.

A few tablespoons of Head lube or veggy oil once in awhile helps keep everything running.

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Apr 11, 2009

I'm always puzzled by the number of people...

Who are perfectly happy with a toilet that, for 2-5 years, has "worked flawlessly EXCEPT for..." this problem, that problem, this little leak, that little crack...

If it were their 2-5 yr old engine that's "worked flawlessly EXCEPT" for various problems, even minor ones...or 2-5 yr old winches that work flawlessly EXCEPT for...," they'd telling everyone who'd listen about what a flimsy piece of junk it is...so why are they so happy to settle for a 2-5 yr old toilet that actually works anything BUT flawlessly, when for very little more money they could have a toilet that actually does work flawlessly WITHOUT any exceptions for 15-20 years if it's just kept lubricated and rebuilt every 5-6 years.

'Tis indeed a puzzlement!

Skipper · Apr 11, 2009

Peggie Hall-HeadMistress said:
Who are perfectly happy with a toilet that, for 2-5 years, has "worked flawlessly EXCEPT for..." this problem, that problem, this little leak, that little crack...

If it were their 2-5 yr old engine that's "worked flawlessly EXCEPT" for various problems, even minor ones...or 2-5 yr old winches that work flawlessly EXCEPT for...," they'd telling everyone who'd listen about what a flimsy piece of junk it is...so why are they so happy to settle for a 2-5 yr old toilet that actually works anything BUT flawlessly, when for very little more money they could have a toilet that actually does work flawlessly WITHOUT any exceptions for 15-20 years if it's just kept lubricated and rebuilt every 5-6 years.

'Tis indeed a puzzlement!

It's possibly that the bulk of us are not nearly as in to heads as you are. We prefer the sailing bit. Yes, my winches are spotless, pefectly greased and hum like BMW's. Running rigging looks like it's from an Oracle racing yacht. Gel coat gleams, brightwork is bright, engine just serviced. My head? Yeah, it works. If it works, and it's safe and kept clean, well there you go. If it aint broke.....

Stu Jackson · Apr 11, 2009

If ya can't depend on it, what's it doin' on the boat?

Ever hear all those stores about how the guy couldn't buy the boat because the Admiral didn't like the smell? Why not have THAT work, too?

I know altogether too many folk s who won't let you use the head on their boats. What nonsense! It's 'cuz it doesn't work! And if it's 'cuz they don't wanna fill up their holding tank, their pretty poor hosts. I've never had my father-in-law say "Don't flush" when I visit his home with his septic tank!

Would you put up with that kinda cr*p if it was your second summer vacation home? My boat is, and mine works, all the time. And it ain't one of those badJ's.

sailingdog · Apr 12, 2009

But the Jabsco heads seem to be faulty by design...

Skipper said:
It's possibly that the bulk of us are not nearly as in to heads as you are. We prefer the sailing bit. Yes, my winches are spotless, pefectly greased and hum like BMW's. Running rigging looks like it's from an Oracle racing yacht. Gel coat gleams, brightwork is bright, engine just serviced. My head? Yeah, it works. If it works, and it's safe and kept clean, well there you go. If it aint broke.....

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Apr 12, 2009

"Not nearly as into heads as I am?"

"It's possibly that the bulk of us are not nearly as in to heads as you are..If it works, and it's safe and kept clean, well there you go. If it aint broke..."

But if it leaks, won't prime, has a cracked housing, it IS broke! And no piece of equipment that's only a couple of years old should be unless it's abused.

"Yes, my winches are spotless, pefectly greased and hum like BMW's. Running rigging looks like it's from an Oracle racing yacht. Gel coat gleams, brightwork is bright, engine just serviced."

This isn't about maintenance, it's about equipment quality/durablity/reliability...you wouldn't settle for winches or running gear or running rigging you can't count on and have to keep taking apart to fix...And since you're happy to keep taking the toilet apart to fix it, you must be more "into heads" than I am...'cuz I don't want to have to do ANYTHING to keep a toilet woking flawlessly for at least 5-6 years except lube it annually.

And btw..

"I think debris bits such as kelp pieces or sea grass get in the valve and keep it open. I opened the top one day and found these types of things hanging out in there."

If this happens often, the solution is a strainer in the intake line.

Ken Honeycutt · Apr 12, 2009

Do the Jabsco and PH II have the same footprint?

I installed a PH II on my last boat. Never had a problem and would swallow just about anything. Would like to replace the Jabsco on my new boat but I'd like to avoid drilling any new holes. Would this be possible does anyone know?

Stu Jackson · Apr 12, 2009

Lag bolt holes fr new head & base

Ken Honeycutt said:
...but I'd like to avoid drilling any new holes. Would this be possible does anyone know?

Ken, this comes up all the time. While I apologize that I don't know the answer to your specific question, since they're just lag bolts it's not a chore drilling new holes and you just won't see most of the old ones. Some may actually be covered up by the new base. You most likely won't see the ones at the back side. There aren't too many folks "inspecting" the sole underneath the head!

I understand it's your desire and your boat to not make additional holes if you can help it, but the better head is worth much more, as you already know, than a few extra holes which can, if need be, have the epoxy be colored properly to make them visually pretty much disappear. When I get around to getting my PHC that's what I'll do, and I'll actually smile at the new holes and say, "Boy, why'd I wait so long to make this improvement?"

sailingdog · Apr 12, 2009

Why not order the PHC or PHII kit minus the bowl...and just swap it in for what you've got now. The bowl would be the exact same, and use the same holes. You might have to drill one or two for the pump setup, but that would be relatively minor.

Ken Honeycutt said:
I installed a PH II on my last boat. Never had a problem and would swallow just about anything. Would like to replace the Jabsco on my new boat but I'd like to avoid drilling any new holes. Would this be possible does anyone know?

Skipper · Apr 12, 2009

And btw..

"I think debris bits such as kelp pieces or sea grass get in the valve and keep it open. I opened the top one day and found these types of things hanging out in there."

If this happens often, the solution is a strainer in the intake line.[/quote]

Good tip. Maybe this should be expanded on? How\where to install,etc, -Or- if it has been discussed already, a link.