I realize these heads are supposed to 'self prime', but my manual Jabsco 29090 will not draw any sea water into the bowl. I've done all the normal stuff...sea cock open, holding tank empty, no kinks in the lines, handle works okay, vented loops okay, etc. Tried closing the sea cock and pumping the handle and it seems there is no suction. The pump assembly was rebuilt last spring and worked fine all summer. If I dump water into the bowl from a bucket (or pump it from the sink) it will pump it into the holding tank. It just will not draw it in through the sea water line as it should. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Toilet Won't Draw Water
- Thread starter Big Windy
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Check the flapper valve in the top of the pump
If it's not seated correctly, it'll prevent the pump from priming. If removing and replacing it doesn't work, most likely the problem is a failed wet/dry valve--which is actually just a little "gate" that the lever swings to block or unblock the flow of water from the intake. Jiggling the lever sometimes frees it, but it's only a temporary fix...the only real cure is a replacement wet/dry valve assembly. There's an outside chance that some kind of sea life could have set up housekeeping in the thru-hull...but the lack of any suction in the line when the seacock is closed tends to rule that out.
If it's not seated correctly, it'll prevent the pump from priming. If removing and replacing it doesn't work, most likely the problem is a failed wet/dry valve--which is actually just a little "gate" that the lever swings to block or unblock the flow of water from the intake. Jiggling the lever sometimes frees it, but it's only a temporary fix...the only real cure is a replacement wet/dry valve assembly. There's an outside chance that some kind of sea life could have set up housekeeping in the thru-hull...but the lack of any suction in the line when the seacock is closed tends to rule that out.
Have you checked strainer?
Have you checked the sea water strainer/line for growth, barnacles, seagrass clog? I agree with Peggie, it is a stretch, but a possibility. Jim
Have you checked the sea water strainer/line for growth, barnacles, seagrass clog? I agree with Peggie, it is a stretch, but a possibility. Jim
Yes usually flapper valve
Bert, The flapper valve as Peggy mentioned was the cause of mine not pumping in seawater last year. On mine, I left it over the winter with the lever in the "dry bowl" position as recommended by Jabsco, but the flapper valve got a set in it so it wouldn't seal to intake water. The wet - dry lever pushes up up on the rubber flapper whifg has a weight attached to it to help seal. Take out the 4 screws on top of the pump assembly to acces the rubber flaper valve. I now leave mine in the "wet-bowl" position when I leave the boat but I always make sure the head intake seacock is closed. Be careful not to overtighten the screws when reassembling as the plastic can strip and then you will have a problem. The Jabsco is a rather inexpensive poor quality head but if cared for properly can result in a few years of good service. I bought a complete new head on sale for $99 and the spare parts have come in handy. They are on sale recently at WM for $129. My head is now 8 years old!
Bert, The flapper valve as Peggy mentioned was the cause of mine not pumping in seawater last year. On mine, I left it over the winter with the lever in the "dry bowl" position as recommended by Jabsco, but the flapper valve got a set in it so it wouldn't seal to intake water. The wet - dry lever pushes up up on the rubber flapper whifg has a weight attached to it to help seal. Take out the 4 screws on top of the pump assembly to acces the rubber flaper valve. I now leave mine in the "wet-bowl" position when I leave the boat but I always make sure the head intake seacock is closed. Be careful not to overtighten the screws when reassembling as the plastic can strip and then you will have a problem. The Jabsco is a rather inexpensive poor quality head but if cared for properly can result in a few years of good service. I bought a complete new head on sale for $99 and the spare parts have come in handy. They are on sale recently at WM for $129. My head is now 8 years old!
Parts on E-BAY
I just got a new pump assembly for $35.00 plus shipping on e-bay. Mine had some screws stripped out and this easy to change a new unit instead of rebuild plus I have extra parts now if I need them. You can find a lot of new parts cheaper on e-bay. nick
I just got a new pump assembly for $35.00 plus shipping on e-bay. Mine had some screws stripped out and this easy to change a new unit instead of rebuild plus I have extra parts now if I need them. You can find a lot of new parts cheaper on e-bay. nick
Head
Thanks for the help. I have checked the thru hull/strainer/intake hose, all are clear. In my 'exploded view' diagram of the head, there is no mention of a 'flapper valve' or a 'wet/dry valve'. It does show the 'flush control lever' and associated parts, which could be the 'wet/dry valve.' The closest thing I see at the top of the pump that could be the flapper valve is the 'top valve seat.' Next time I go to the boat, I'll take it apart and see what I can find.
Thanks for the help. I have checked the thru hull/strainer/intake hose, all are clear. In my 'exploded view' diagram of the head, there is no mention of a 'flapper valve' or a 'wet/dry valve'. It does show the 'flush control lever' and associated parts, which could be the 'wet/dry valve.' The closest thing I see at the top of the pump that could be the flapper valve is the 'top valve seat.' Next time I go to the boat, I'll take it apart and see what I can find.
Part #s to look for on the drawing...
#18--top valve seat and #21--top valve gasket (what the rest of the world calls a flapper valve). Part 23 is the little "gate" operated by the wet/dry valve lever.
#18--top valve seat and #21--top valve gasket (what the rest of the world calls a flapper valve). Part 23 is the little "gate" operated by the wet/dry valve lever.
Head
Okay, today I went to the boat. Took the pump assembly completely apart and off the boat. It looked fine and all the parts looked fine. As long as I had it out, figured I might as well clean it. Did that, put it back together...and it worked fine. Go figure, must have been the head gremlins. Thanks for everybody's comments.
Okay, today I went to the boat. Took the pump assembly completely apart and off the boat. It looked fine and all the parts looked fine. As long as I had it out, figured I might as well clean it. Did that, put it back together...and it worked fine. Go figure, must have been the head gremlins. Thanks for everybody's comments.
Gremlin was most likely that pesky flapper valve
Even if it's in good condition, if it's not seated correctly the pump won't bring in any water. When you put it back, you got it seated right.
Even if it's in good condition, if it's not seated correctly the pump won't bring in any water. When you put it back, you got it seated right.
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