Thank-you - we are going to try the pump out. Worst case no dip tube and I have to insert this hose that looks like it was used in the waste tank. I have a spare macerator pump so I will replace and then rebuild. When we purchased the boat 12 years ago there was damage due to freezing so I had to rebuild the pump and replace the hoses from the tank to the suction and the discharge. there was no damage to the waste tank, luckily. I had to repair damage to the swim platform shower at that time as well. Since then I have always winterized and ensured there was some rv antifreeze in the waste tank come winter
I don’t like the concept of rebuilding Mascerator pumps, for the following reasons:
Firstly, they charge so much for the rebuild kits, the delta between buying a new Jabsco and a brand new pump is about $150. And, the rebuild kit does not include any motor parts
Also, it doesn’t include the part that definitely fails. On the (approx 2005 -2015 onwards), pumps, the long bolts that hold the entire pump together are brass. These corrode, and the whole pump falls apart.
And ,,,, the new stainless bolt kit is $55. Yikes!!
The next issue is that even the tiniest seal gap will stink up your boat. And it’s tough to locate, as the gap is small enough to let “magic fart gas” through, but no liquid.
Next reason…
You have 2 choices….
Option A
Open cardboard box
Take out shiny new pump WItH proper stainless bolts.
Remove old one, which may require percussive techniques
Or…
Option B
Do the same struggle to remove old pump
Rip the thing apart, while plugging nose, opening every hatch on the boat, and not enjoying the “scenery”
Re-assemble (not that much fun if not on a workbench), and pray to the “Gods of Stinky Stuff”, that you have everything perfect.
For the price of 3 bottles of average wine,, I’m going for option A
