Priming the head

[Mike Ross]

After I pump out the bowl on 'DRY', and switch to 'flush' It takes several (around 20) pumps before I start getting water to pump into the head. This just started happening this year. I checked the thru-hull and its open, and there doesn't appear to be any kinks in the hose leading to the pump. Are there seals inside the pump that could cause this? Once it starts pumping water, it seems fine.Thanks for you helpMike

 

[Jim Russell]

Not right

You'll probably get some better answers, but it would appear that you have an air leak on the intake side of the pump (in the hose connections), orYou need some new valves in your pump.I should have started by asking: What kind of head do you have? That may help others answer your question . . .

 

[Mike Ross]

Not sure what brand

I'll take a look this weekend to see what type of head it is.I didn't suspect an air leak, because I don't see any water leaking out of the hose leading from the thru-hull. I belive most of this plumbing is below the water line, isn't it?I do know if I flip the head to flush, and wait, water eventually starts to flow (slowly) into the bow. Once water is flowing, I can pump the head and get water out.

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Sounds like worn out pump seals

When seals no longer seal, the pump can't prime or hold a prime...Doesn't matter what brand the toilet is, they all require periodic replacement of the seals and gaskets...and eventual replacement of the pump assembly (a whole new toilet costs about the same as a pump assembly). IIt should be done every couple of years as PREVENTIVE maintenance, but for some strange reason, most people prefer to take toilets apart when the bowl is full instead of when the whole system is clean and dry. Eventually, especially if a toilet has been neglected, rebuilding it no longer works...salt, any sand or grit and just plain wear score and scratch the housing so that new seals don't completely seal any more. That's when it's time for a new toilet. Otoh, it also pays to compare the cost of a rebuild kit with the price of an identical replacement. If you can buy a whole new toilet for about the price of a couple of rebuilds, you might as well just ignore it till it doesn't work at all and then just toss it for a new one.