Just a quick question. My toilet will not pump water from lake, I can pump back to holding tank. I checked all hoses and everything is clear, so I pulled the top off my pump and the seal is distorted and somewhat hard. It is only 2 years old and I have lubed toilet regularly and used proper sanitation solution. What may have happened so I do not do it again. Oh and I do believe I winterized it properly.
Seal on Jabsco
- Thread starter bigsick
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Most likely you winterized with propylene glycol (strong and for a long period, since you are far north) and that ruined the neoprene elastomers (it hardens them, as described). Instead, use ethylene glycol (automotive AF) next time. Curiously, though EG is toxic to humans (doesn't matter in the toilet) is is harmless to fish--see link below). Vodka, curiously, should also be acceptable, if the alcohol does not evaporate.
http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2012/12/eg-vs-pg-conventional-wisdom-that-is.html
Another alternative is to drain the head as described in the Jabsco manual.
Other possibilities.
1. There is something stuck in the inlet line that you missed. Always possible.
2. An air leak in one of the hoses.
3. A vented loop in the intake side before the pump.
4. You lubed it by removing the piston, used the wrong sort of grease (petroleum vs. silicone) and got it on the gasket. However, this would probably not do what you described.
5. You lubed it with corn oil or baby oil (olive oil is OK, but silicone grease per manufacturer procedure is better).
The cheapest and most durable fix is to buy a new pump assembly and avoid whichever mistake was made. Replace the joker valve every 1-2 years. I would not recommend rebuilding the pump as a general rule, since the parts are nearly the price of the pump assymbly.
Good hunting!
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