Jabsco toilet pump shaft seal

[Jim Cate]

I just replaced the shaft seal on our Jabsco manual head, and thought that I'd pass on a big money saver. The seal involved is a simple lip seal which is pressed into the plastic assembly that screws into the top of the pump housing. In our live aboard usage, they start leaking in a couple of years max. Jabsco is happy to sell you a new one, complete with the seal installed into the plastic part. Here in Oz they want around 40 AUD for this part. Ouch!

If you take the T-handle off of the shaft (it simply unscrews) and then, using a big spanner on the hex boss, you can unscrew the plastic seal assembly and lift it off the shaft. turning it over, you will see the actual seal... looks like a rubber washer. Pry it out. Sounds simple, but it can be a chore! I used jeweler's screwdrivers inserted between the seal and the housing to loosen it, but any such devices will work.

Once it is out, take it to any seal and bearing supply shop. They will be able to match it exactly (5/16" ID, 3/4" OD), and it will set you back around two dollars (buy a couple of spares whilst about it!). Then it is a simple job to lube the new seal with some silicone grease and press it gently into the housing. I used a 14 mm socket wrench as a driver, but anything with an OD of around 3/4 inch will work. Then simply reverse the removal steps and you are done.

Takes less than 15 minutes if you already have the seal in hand.

Happy pumping...

Jim

[lockie]

Great work Jim. One of my favourite things is finding generic equivalents of vastly overpriced OEM parts. For my Yanmar 2GM engine I have bought generic bearings and seals for the transmission and CW pump, lube and fuel filters, drive belts etc etc. I reckon I've saved hundreds over the last couple of years.

And if the zincs in your engine need replacing, find a lump of zing (eg unused shaft anode in my case) and roughly shape it, then drill and tap and screw it onto the threaded boss form the old one.

Cheers, Graeme