Peggy, I have a 2004 Hunter 33 with a Jabsco Head. I am aving a problem where waste and water come back into the head after I flush. I have also noticed a burping sound, and bubbles coming back into head. I read some of your previous post, so the first thing I checked last night was the vent line and the openning, both appear to be clear and clean. The Water / Waste returns even after I flush the head on dry several strokes. Any suggestions? Thanks...
Water Back-up and Burping
- Thread starter Everett14920
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Jabsco Heads
Had the same problem you describe after rebuilding the pump with a $60+ rebuild kit. Then found out I had the wrong one (thanks to local guy at BoatUS). Jabsco changed design of kit in '98. I had bought the wrong one. While trying to figure out what was causing the problem I stripped the plastic boss the screw went into. Peggy and others will tell you to buy Raritan not Jabsco, but I couldn't resist West Marines sale last month -- $99.00 for a new Jabsco that bolted right up to the original pattern. With the new head $30.00 more than the rebuild kit, I'd say beat feet to WM for a new head. My problem's solved.
Had the same problem you describe after rebuilding the pump with a $60+ rebuild kit. Then found out I had the wrong one (thanks to local guy at BoatUS). Jabsco changed design of kit in '98. I had bought the wrong one. While trying to figure out what was causing the problem I stripped the plastic boss the screw went into. Peggy and others will tell you to buy Raritan not Jabsco, but I couldn't resist West Marines sale last month -- $99.00 for a new Jabsco that bolted right up to the original pattern. With the new head $30.00 more than the rebuild kit, I'd say beat feet to WM for a new head. My problem's solved.
At least the joker valve fit...
Did you check the vent thru-hull AND the vent fitting on the tank? 'Cuz those are the most likely places for a vent blockage. If it's not the vent... If your boat is in salt water (I saw that YOU'RE inland...but is your boat?), a buildup of sea water calcium carbonates in the discharge hose can reduce the diameter enough to create backpressure... If that's not it, about the only thing left is the flapper valve at the bottom of the pump...unless somebody has flushed something they shouldn't have that's created a clog.
I know that Jabsco toilets are only $100 on sale...but $100 a year--or even every 2-3 years--ends up costing a LOT more than you'd pay for ONE PH II that'll give you at least 20 years of reliable service if you just keep it lubricated and spend about $50 for a rebuild kit every 5-6 years. Ever heard the saying "penny wise, pound foolish?"
Did you check the vent thru-hull AND the vent fitting on the tank? 'Cuz those are the most likely places for a vent blockage. If it's not the vent... If your boat is in salt water (I saw that YOU'RE inland...but is your boat?), a buildup of sea water calcium carbonates in the discharge hose can reduce the diameter enough to create backpressure... If that's not it, about the only thing left is the flapper valve at the bottom of the pump...unless somebody has flushed something they shouldn't have that's created a clog.
I know that Jabsco toilets are only $100 on sale...but $100 a year--or even every 2-3 years--ends up costing a LOT more than you'd pay for ONE PH II that'll give you at least 20 years of reliable service if you just keep it lubricated and spend about $50 for a rebuild kit every 5-6 years. Ever heard the saying "penny wise, pound foolish?"Problem solved
Peggy, Thanks for the help. I replace the joker valve over the weekend and my Acid Reflux problem is gone... I will hang on to my Jabsco head for a couple more seasons, and then upgrade.
Peggy, Thanks for the help. I replace the joker valve over the weekend and my Acid Reflux problem is gone... I will hang on to my Jabsco head for a couple more seasons, and then upgrade.
quick question
I have the same problem with the backing up and burping with my head as well. Assuming that it is not a clogged vent line, I am confused why the cause would be the joker valve at the top of the head and not the flapper valve at the bottom base of the pump. Can someone explain this to me? Thanks, Greg
I have the same problem with the backing up and burping with my head as well. Assuming that it is not a clogged vent line, I am confused why the cause would be the joker valve at the top of the head and not the flapper valve at the bottom base of the pump. Can someone explain this to me? Thanks, Greg
Location of Joker Valve
The joker valve is at the bottom of the pump. Not under the pump, but where the hose connects to the pump at the bottom.
The joker valve is at the bottom of the pump. Not under the pump, but where the hose connects to the pump at the bottom.
You're confusing the joker valve with...
a flapper valve, Greg. A joker valve is a li'l cup-shaped doodad that has either a single slit or an X in the bottom and "lips" on the outside, and is not in the pump, but in the head discharge fitting...in fact, the flange on the joker valve is the rubber gasket between the fitting and the pump. A flapper valve is a flat rubber rectangle or triangle that has a weighted flap in the middle of it...it's IN the bottom of the pump. Check out the drawing http://www.jabsco.com/prodInfo/overview/29090-2000_ev.pdf Part # 21 is the flapper valve...the joker valve is part #32
a flapper valve, Greg. A joker valve is a li'l cup-shaped doodad that has either a single slit or an X in the bottom and "lips" on the outside, and is not in the pump, but in the head discharge fitting...in fact, the flange on the joker valve is the rubber gasket between the fitting and the pump. A flapper valve is a flat rubber rectangle or triangle that has a weighted flap in the middle of it...it's IN the bottom of the pump. Check out the drawing http://www.jabsco.com/prodInfo/overview/29090-2000_ev.pdf Part # 21 is the flapper valve...the joker valve is part #32
I also replaced my Jabsco toilet
with the one on sale at West... and I still have my new boat owner card, so I got another $10 off ;D And my Joker valve will work forever because I'm not letting anybody use the head..... at least till the Commodore orders me to *yks Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
with the one on sale at West... and I still have my new boat owner card, so I got another $10 off ;D And my Joker valve will work forever because I'm not letting anybody use the head..... at least till the Commodore orders me to *yks Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
Joker valve = squished duck bill
Greg: if you picked up a joker valve, it looks like a rubber duck bill that is all squished up. At least that is what mine looked like. Kind of look like Donald Duck when he is upset. Sorta. If you hold it up to your mouth and blow through it, ****a new one, of course****, you can only blow through it in one direction. It is just a soft rubber one-way valve. Peggy: Thanks for clarifying. When I said it is at the bottom of the pump, I really meant near the bottom of the pump, and connected to the bottom of the pump. Thanks. I sure didn't want to lead him astray.
Greg: if you picked up a joker valve, it looks like a rubber duck bill that is all squished up. At least that is what mine looked like. Kind of look like Donald Duck when he is upset. Sorta. If you hold it up to your mouth and blow through it, ****a new one, of course****, you can only blow through it in one direction. It is just a soft rubber one-way valve. Peggy: Thanks for clarifying. When I said it is at the bottom of the pump, I really meant near the bottom of the pump, and connected to the bottom of the pump. Thanks. I sure didn't want to lead him astray.
ROFL, JC
That's the best description I have heard of a Joker valve.... in fact, from now on I'm going to call it a 'duckbill' valve!!! *5
That's the best description I have heard of a Joker valve.... in fact, from now on I'm going to call it a 'duckbill' valve!!! *5
You won't be the first, J.C.
"Duckbill valve" is a common alternate name--at least in the industry, anyway--for a joker valve.
"Duckbill valve" is a common alternate name--at least in the industry, anyway--for a joker valve.
Yep, you are right, Peggy
A bunch of us at our marina usually just call it the duckbill valve. In fact, many sailors don't even know the name Joker valve. A friend went into West Marine, didn't know it was called the Joker valve, just asked for a duckbill valve, and he walked away with one.
A bunch of us at our marina usually just call it the duckbill valve. In fact, many sailors don't even know the name Joker valve. A friend went into West Marine, didn't know it was called the Joker valve, just asked for a duckbill valve, and he walked away with one.
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