lack of intake water to head

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

carisea

I had a problem with the forward toilet on my 1992 passage. The pump would only run intermittantly . I took it a part and fixed that problem. Before I reattached the hoses I poured water down the intake hose to make sure it had water in it to help prime the pump. I also put a bucket of water in the bowl. When I pushed the button on the electric pump it ran a pumped all the water out of the bowl but I noticed no water coming in. I had checked the impellor before I put the pump back together and I know it is ok. I decided before I would tear the pump apart again I would make sure the intake hose was ok. I puored water down the hose again but this time I hooked a small drill pump to the hose. It pumped water for a short time then stopped. I suspect I have an air lock int he intake line. I donot know how to get at the vented loop the schematics for the boat show a vent loop in the engine compartment but I would think that is for the rear head.What should I do?
 
P

Peggie Hall/Head Mistress

I suspect the impeller...

It's not always easy to tell with the naked eye that an impeller has failed...they do have a lifespan. Each time the head has to reprime, it has to run dry, even if it's very briefly...that wears the edges of the vanes. Salt water is even harder on it than fresh...'cuz dried salt in the impeller housing acts like sandpaper. So even if an impeller LOOKS ok, the vanes can be worn past the point where they can prime the pump. Which is a good reason to replace it every couple of years--or at least keep a spare aboard. Try replacing the impller...you have nothing to lose, 'cuz if it doesn't solve the problem, you'll have that spare. And if it doesn't fix it, call Jabsco.
 
B

Bill walton

Similar problem on our 42

But on the last haulout, i removed the external strainer I have installed on the hull and found growing stuff up in the intake. we cleaned that out and all is fine now. I suspect that the lower usage of the forward head, on our boat at least, allowed something to take hold.
 
P

Peggie Hall/Head Mistress

A strainer didn't occur to me...

Good catch, Bill. If there is no strainer, check to see if any marine life has taken up residence on the thru-hull. Otoh...if it worked briefly after all the work done on it, I still suspect the impeller may be the culprit.
 
C

carisea

intake line problems

Peggy I used a different little pump the second time a( drill pump attachment)and it would not pump either. It has been suggested by a friend of mine that I disconnect the intake line at the seacock and open the seacock to sea if water comes in at that point. At least I will know if the hose or the seacock is plugged. Does this boat have a vented loop on the intake line. If not, I believe that the entire intake line to the toilet is below the water line and water should have poured into the boat at the toilet just by opening the seacock which it did not. Not a drop! Thanks
 
C

carisea

intake toilet problems

Peggy I called Hunter and they said there is an electric solenoid behind the shower wall I will look at that part.
 
P

Peggie Hall/Head Mistress

Aha!

Andother mental lapse on my part...I forgot that Jabsco toilets are the only ones that have a solenoid on their sea water pump version of their electric toilets. That d'd thing causes problems that don't exist in any other toilet.
 
D

Derek

Replaced my solenoid

on the forward head this summer. Get to it through the forward salon cabinet. Bought a spare at the same time to keep on the boat.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.