On "wet" my head pulls in water nicely. On "dry" it builds pressure and the plunger / rod actually wants to come back up. Next trip to the boat I will check the vent hose to see if its clogged....any other items to look at? Boat is a C30 with a PAR Jabsco head...assumed it is the original head and 14 years old.
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Two most likely possibilites
1. Blocked tank vent has pressurized the tank, creating backpressure. If that is the problem, be careful when you remove the deck pumpout cap and have a hose at the ready...'cuz if the tank is pressuried it'll spew. However, if it IS the problem, you should be just as much backpressure in the wet mode ss in the dry...which leads me to suspect that the problem is: 2. Wet/dry cam in the pump has failed...a common problem in Jabsco toilets, but mostly in newer ones. The cam is just a little "gate" that the lever swings to block or unblock incoming flush water. When it fails, it hangs...creating backpressure in the pump that a lot of people have mistakenly thought was a clog downstream of the toilet. Unless it is just a blocked tank vent, IMO it's time for a new toilet...but not a Jabsco. The ones they made 15 years ago were decent quality for the money--as demonstrated by the fact that yours has lasted that long. But the ones they make today rarely make it through the 1-yr warranty without problems. I wouldn't put any money into any 15 yr old compact toilet, though...7-10 years is about the average lifespan for 'em, and yours has already outlived that.
1. Blocked tank vent has pressurized the tank, creating backpressure. If that is the problem, be careful when you remove the deck pumpout cap and have a hose at the ready...'cuz if the tank is pressuried it'll spew. However, if it IS the problem, you should be just as much backpressure in the wet mode ss in the dry...which leads me to suspect that the problem is: 2. Wet/dry cam in the pump has failed...a common problem in Jabsco toilets, but mostly in newer ones. The cam is just a little "gate" that the lever swings to block or unblock incoming flush water. When it fails, it hangs...creating backpressure in the pump that a lot of people have mistakenly thought was a clog downstream of the toilet. Unless it is just a blocked tank vent, IMO it's time for a new toilet...but not a Jabsco. The ones they made 15 years ago were decent quality for the money--as demonstrated by the fact that yours has lasted that long. But the ones they make today rarely make it through the 1-yr warranty without problems. I wouldn't put any money into any 15 yr old compact toilet, though...7-10 years is about the average lifespan for 'em, and yours has already outlived that.
good information...
its probably the cam in the pump Peggie refered to...I pumped out 10 days ago and it seemed to suck out the entire tank... and had enough time to put a water hose and 2-3 gallons to rinse and suck that out as well with no problem. I don't recall hearing air being pulled from the vent, but the 2nd stage of the pump out was clear material. I will check the vent hose 1st step anyway. With the last use of the head, I could actually here air pressure "bleeding" inside of the pump area. Peggie, if it is this problem, why wouldn't a rebuild kit be ok if it includes that part?...the boat gets day use and overnight trips occasionally. The head does not see heavy use, so would rather not buy a new toilet...but am open to listen to your experience.
its probably the cam in the pump Peggie refered to...I pumped out 10 days ago and it seemed to suck out the entire tank... and had enough time to put a water hose and 2-3 gallons to rinse and suck that out as well with no problem. I don't recall hearing air being pulled from the vent, but the 2nd stage of the pump out was clear material. I will check the vent hose 1st step anyway. With the last use of the head, I could actually here air pressure "bleeding" inside of the pump area. Peggie, if it is this problem, why wouldn't a rebuild kit be ok if it includes that part?...the boat gets day use and overnight trips occasionally. The head does not see heavy use, so would rather not buy a new toilet...but am open to listen to your experience.
Service kit doesn't include that part
And your toilet isn't worth putting $60+ into a service kit PLUS a new wet/dry cam assembly that's prob'ly been redesigned and may not even fit your 15 yr old toilet...you can usually find the whole toilet on sale somewhere for $99. Even if the kit were included the part you prob'ly need, rebuilding it wouldn't restore the toilet to original specs...over time the inside the pump cylinder becomes worn, scratched and scored, preventing new seals and o-rings from sealing very well. Everything has a lifespan...give it a decent burial and move on. Till you use a new one for the first time, you aren't even aware of how marginally it's working, even without your new problem.
And your toilet isn't worth putting $60+ into a service kit PLUS a new wet/dry cam assembly that's prob'ly been redesigned and may not even fit your 15 yr old toilet...you can usually find the whole toilet on sale somewhere for $99. Even if the kit were included the part you prob'ly need, rebuilding it wouldn't restore the toilet to original specs...over time the inside the pump cylinder becomes worn, scratched and scored, preventing new seals and o-rings from sealing very well. Everything has a lifespan...give it a decent burial and move on. Till you use a new one for the first time, you aren't even aware of how marginally it's working, even without your new problem.
ok Peggie...
its not the vent so its the part you mention. I agree that its not worth the money to put in a 15 year old head...it has served a good life. I will replace with a new head. Now which head to buy...I see 3 choices PHII, CPII or another Jabsco. I would rather go with Raritan given my review of the archives...so can anyone say which model (RHII or CPII) will fit better in a Catalina 30?...and are these 2 models of similar quality?...many thanks.
its not the vent so its the part you mention. I agree that its not worth the money to put in a 15 year old head...it has served a good life. I will replace with a new head. Now which head to buy...I see 3 choices PHII, CPII or another Jabsco. I would rather go with Raritan given my review of the archives...so can anyone say which model (RHII or CPII) will fit better in a Catalina 30?...and are these 2 models of similar quality?...many thanks.
Replacement Head
Check out the Raritan "PHC" - it has the same large capacity pump and lever handle as the PHII, but fits into a slightly smaller area. It doesn't have the fancy, schmancy skirt at the bottom, and cannot be converted to electric operation at a later date. Otherwise, it's the same head as the PHII but somewhat less expensive. Think of it as a PHII "light."
Check out the Raritan "PHC" - it has the same large capacity pump and lever handle as the PHII, but fits into a slightly smaller area. It doesn't have the fancy, schmancy skirt at the bottom, and cannot be converted to electric operation at a later date. Otherwise, it's the same head as the PHII but somewhat less expensive. Think of it as a PHII "light."
What Vic said...
The CP II is a light duty compact toilet...much better quality than the Jabsco, but not nearly the toilet the PH II is. If it won't fit, go with the PHC...same pump, but on a compact base to fit a tighter space. Also keep in mind that the pump--and thus the handle too--can be mounted on either side of the bowl on both the PH II and the PHC>
The CP II is a light duty compact toilet...much better quality than the Jabsco, but not nearly the toilet the PH II is. If it won't fit, go with the PHC...same pump, but on a compact base to fit a tighter space. Also keep in mind that the pump--and thus the handle too--can be mounted on either side of the bowl on both the PH II and the PHC>
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