Jabsco housing leak

[Bay Gypsy]

Hello, all. I recently did a refurb on my Jabsco head (joker valve, seals, etc.) and, on reassembly, can't get the valve cover (on top of the pump cylinder) to stop leaking when pumping water. It didn't do this before (although the leaky seal did allow water up the pump shaft past the seal housing assembly -- which is why I replaced the seal. That seals fine now.)

I have disassembled and checked everything, and torqued the six screws as much as I dare. Still leaks. What's up? Do I need to put some good old fashioned engine head gasket sealer in there or what? The head is functional, but it sure is annoying to have water spurt out from under the valve cover when using the head! Thanks for any advice.

[Gladrags1]

Are you sure you reinstalled the gaskets the correct way? Sounds like something is not installed correctly as that shouldn't be happening.

[Squidd]

I would take it apart again and look for rip or pinch in gasket or possible crack in housing or cover.

[CorvetteGuy]

New gasket material may be needed indeed...

[sneuman]

Do yourself a HUGE favor by following these simple instructions:

a) THROW THE WHOLE UNIT OVERBOARD.
b) Buy a new unit -- anything but another Jabsco.

Jabsco repair kits are a huge waste of money because ... (drumroll) ... there is absolutely no way to effectively repair a Jabsco marine head.

The plastic housing is secured with wood screws that draw out just enough material to prevent an effective seal from ever being restored.

I have dealt with two different Jabsco heads on two different boats. The first I fought for years and by the second one I got smart (after spending the $$ again for the a rebuild kit thinking that time would be different). Four years ago, I spent 2x as much as a new Jabsco for a Raritan PHII. Never had problems again.

[sailortjk1]

Originally Posted by sneuman

Do yourself a HUGE favor by following these simple instructions:

a) THROW THE WHOLE UNIT OVERBOARD.
b) Buy a new unit -- anything but another Jabsco.

Jabsco repair kits are a huge waste of money because ... (drumroll) ... there is absolutely no way to effectively repair a Jabsco marine head.

The plastic housing is secured with wood screws that draw out just enough material to prevent an effective seal from ever being restored.

I have dealt with two different Jabsco heads on two different boats. The first I fought for years and by the second one I got smart (after spending the $$ again for the a rebuild kit thinking that time would be different). Four years ago, I spent 2x as much as a new Jabsco for a Raritan PHII. Never had problems again.

Or.... Think of it the way we do, a Jabsco is basically a throw away item. For the price of the repair kit you have about bought a brand new Jabsco Head. Replace the whole damn thing if you are going to try and repair it. For $150.00 you wil have a new head that might last three years or so.

Edit: Just for the record. Once we installed the twist and lock pump we have not experinced nearly as many problems with our Jabsco head. The Jocker Valve has to be replaced on a regular basis but that it about al that has failed on us recently.

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by sailortjk1

Or.... Think of it the way we do, a Jabsco is basically a throw away item. For the price of the repair kit you have about bought a brand new Jabsco Head. Replace the whole damn thing if you are going to try and repair it. For $150.00 you wil have a new head that might last three years or so.

Yes, I have heard of others using this approach. But, if I get even two more years out of my Raritan, it'll be the same in $$$ ... and one less installation.

[sailortjk1]

The reluctance that I have in a full replacement is Bolt Locations and Fit. Our's is a little tight and if it is not an exact replacement, I don't know if it would work. Having to relocate the mounting bolts would be another head ache.

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by sailortjk1

The reluctance that I have in a full replacement is Bolt Locations and Fit. Our's is a little tight and if it is not an exact replacement, I don't know if it would work. Having to relocate the mounting bolts would be another head ache.

Actually, that's one of the reasons I went with the Raritan PHII. The footprint is exactly the same as a Jabsco. I didn't even have to redrill the bolt holes.

[sailortjk1]

There you go, learned something.
Throw away the Jabsco and get a Raritan!
That is what I will be doing soon.