Problem with Jabsco manual toilet

n0w0rries · #1 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010

The previous owner said the toilet was replaced recently. It seemed to work ok for a while, but I did notice occasionally there would be a scum line in the toilet, even though it was left empty.

I noticed it got hard to flush. I can pump it full of water easily, but when I switch it to dry to pump it out, it doesn't do anything. I felt a lot of resistance on the down stroke, so I took the boat over and pumped it out, just to be safe. I tried again and was able to push through the resistance, and then it would pump freely (but still do nothing)... then at random it would get hard to pump again.

Any advice? Unless it's a cheap/easy repair, I'm thinking of replacing it after reading on here.

kwaltersmi · #2 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010

This is directly from the trouble shooting section of my Jabsco manual toilet owner's manual:

Bowl does not empty & difficult to push handle down:
1) Open outlet seacock
2) Fully shut Flush Control Lever
3) Check joker valve, discharge hose or outlet seacock for blockage

Bowl does not empty and difficult to pull handle up:
1) Remove pump and check for blockage

There's 4 or 5 other trouble shooting tips listed. Feel free to ask for more!

You can also check Jabsco's Marine Toilet Support Wizard found here: http://www.jabsco.com/support/wizards/question-wizard-waste1-style-pagepath-imagepath-itempage-id-.htm

n0w0rries · #3 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010

Thanks! I didn't even to think to check their website. Was able to download and print out the manual. Hope it's something easy!

CalebD · #4 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010

Some people just replace these units rather then buy the service kit which costs about $50. This unit costs about $150 brand new.
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|51|806|315133|823306&id=1055779
I am not sure if that is the same model as yours. There is a larger bowl version which is about $200.

n0w0rries · #5 (**permalink**) 01-17-2010

Well went down and took the pump apart. Wasn't able to check the bottom/joker valves because there's nasty water in the toilet and I haven't been able to clean it out. Any problem with trying a plunger? Would rather not have to use a cup to empty the head.

Working on the head really SUCKS.

GaryHLucas · #6 (**permalink**) 01-17-2010

I work on waste treatment plants, so a boat head is a day in the park. When I need to clean out something before I work on it I use a shop vac. However, I DON'T use it directly! I get a 5 gallon buckt and lid. Cut a hole in the lid a little smaller than the vacuum hose and poke the hose into the hole. Get another piece of hose and poke a second hole in the lid for that one too. Turn on the vac and use the second hose to suck out the head, and even the head hoses, depositing everything in the 5 gallon bucket. No mess at all!

Gary H. Lucas

sailingdog · #7 (**permalink**) 01-17-2010

If you're going to re-build the head... I would highly recommend you look at buying a Raritan PHII/PHC refit kit that basically replaces the head with a PHII or PHC system but re-uses your existing bowl, which saves you a considerable amount of money off the price of a Raritan PHII/PHC head. The Raritan PHII/PHC head is generally considered one of the best moderately priced marine heads, unlike the Jabsco units, which are generally considered the equivalent of what goes into them in normal usage.

SBO has the Raritan kits available.

pdqaltair · #8 (**permalink**) 01-17-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by n0w0rries

Well went down and took the pump apart. Wasn't able to check the bottom/joker valves because there's nasty water in the toilet and I haven't been able to clean it out. Any problem with trying a plunger? Would rather not have to use a cup to empty the head.

Working on the head really SUCKS.

Plungers mostly such, and marine heads are designed to resist that. Take the plunger OFF the boat.

It sounds like a blockage problem, most likely in one of the hoses and possibly in the tank vent. Unless the hoses are cleared, a new head won't help. It doesn't sound like a re-build, not if there is resistance.

The scum line problem is fairly normal, if the toilet is not flushed with enough fresh water and the joker valve seeps.

Get some gloves and keep them on the boat. It's just poop. Think babies and it's no big deal.

donradclife · #9 (**permalink**) 01-17-2010

Its been a while since I had the problem, but if you are able to pump wet easily and the dry is intermitantly hard, my guess is you need to look at (2) on the Jabsco list-the Flush Control Lever is not doing its job. Exercise the lever between wet and dry positions and see if you can get it to go further over to the dry side. You can also try holding it over to the dry position while you pump.

If pushing the lever further over doesn't help, the problem is internal to the pump. The good news is that the part you need to fix is at the clean top end of the pump. The bad news is that my experience with getting the top of the pump back together without leaks is not good.

pdqaltair · #10 (**permalink**) 01-17-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by donradclife

Its been a while since I had the problem, but if you are able to pump wet easily and the dry is intermitantly hard, my guess is you need to look at (2) on the Jabsco list-the Flush Control Lever is not doing its job. Exercise the lever between wet and dry positions and see if you can get it to go further over to the dry side. You can also try holding it over to the dry position while you pump.

If pushing the lever further over doesn't help, the problem is internal to the pump. The good news is that the part you need to fix is at the clean top end of the pump. The bad news is that my experience with getting the top of the pump back together without leaks is not good.

Mine was, when I got it, and the problem was similar. Take a long look at the exploded view.

I've never had leak issues on the top and have taken it apart several times. Minor differences, I guess.