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Old 25-06-2014, 17:47   #1
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Lavac Spurts at Pump when I Pump

Loved my lavac for the first week I used it. It was real hard to pump so I put some muscle into it and it freed up, then it gushed with every pump. Water fills the lowest space in the pump and then when you pump it sloshes out where the handle fits in. Each pump stroke displaces the standing water and it sloshes out.

What do I need to rebuild?

Can I fix without parts? Might a seal have come unseated? I don't want to rip it apart until I have the part if I need one.

Thanks


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Old 25-06-2014, 17:50   #2
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Re: Lavac spurts at pump when I pump

Did you read the TP vs. bidet thread? Sounds like you solved that issue!

Mark
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Old 25-06-2014, 18:36   #3
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Re: Lavac spurts at pump when I pump

Sounds like water is leaking through diaphragm. If in use for awhile, open pump housing and inspect/clean diaphragm, inlet/outlet valves – eliminate any hard scaling. The diaphragm can leak through the center hole (through which handle attaches to diaphragm) and outer edge where clamped between pump housing. Sometimes fasteners just need tightening, sometimes rubber bits need replacement.
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Old 25-06-2014, 18:38   #4
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Re: Lavac spurts at pump when I pump

It's only been in use for a week. Sat on a garage shelf for ten years though before install.


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Old 25-06-2014, 18:46   #5
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Re: Lavac spurts at pump when I pump

Don't ever put a lot of muscle into a toilet pump. Ask me how I know...(geez, twice in one day)
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Old 25-06-2014, 19:20   #6
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Re: Lavac spurts at pump when I pump

Is it the plastic Whale/Henderson pump?
When I took mine apart to rebuild, there were cracks in the housing. I had at one time had to use force on it and that is probably what cracked it.
Fortunately I had a spare pump.

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Old 25-06-2014, 20:36   #7
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Re: Lavac spurts at pump when I pump

Yes. Plastic Henderson.


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Old 02-07-2014, 18:46   #8
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Re: Lavac spurts at pump when I pump

If it sat for ten years on a garage shelf I might suggest you open it have a look and put a rebuild kit in it. It should be easy to pump.

We have a lavac that is almost 30 years old, 21 of those years as a lives board / cruiser. It's a fantastic design and very low maintenance.

Good luck


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Old 02-07-2014, 19:00   #9
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Re: Lavac spurts at pump when I pump

I think we were not clearing the lines and material was gathering in the pump. How many pumps do you do with each flush?


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Old 02-07-2014, 19:15   #10
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Re: Lavac spurts at pump when I pump

You pump enough times to move all of the waste into the tank or out the through hull. How many times that is depends on your system.
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Old 03-07-2014, 01:09   #11
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Re: Lavac spurts at pump when I pump

I've rebuilt the Lavac pump in Boracay a couple of times now. It's not too difficult but it's also not for the squeamish.

Contact Lavac customer service if you want to do this correctly. I always do things the wrong way.

I usually pump lots of clean fresh water (with some disinfectant of choice) through first then place a bucket under the cover plate. Then I remove the cover plate.

As the valves have usually failed by the time I do this what little water that remains has hopefully drained into the bowl. Then I remove the hoses and unbolt the pump, placing it in a bucket.

If the pump has been used for a while in salt water there is a chance that "calcium deposits" have built up. I fill the bucket most of the way with water then add some phosphoric acid (also known as rust converter caution - poisonous and stings like hell in any cuts so use gloves).

After it has soaked for a while I scrape off any remaining "calcium".

It sounds like your diaphragm has failed so you'll need a repair kit. From my rapidly failing memory it's the same one as used in the Henderson Mk V but do check with your friendly chandler/Whale Pumps.

Follow the instructions in the repair kit carefully, particularly the bit about which way round the plates that hold the diaphragm in place go.

I found some parts to be a tight fit so some care is necessary.

The only difficulty I had is that the replacement small screws in the kit were just a fraction shorter than the original ones. Using the original screws to put in the new joker valve caused a small leak which seemed to go away when the new screws were used.

Then replace the pump.
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Old 18-08-2014, 04:46   #12
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Re: Lavac spurts at pump when I pump

I sealed the center hole in the diaphragm with some silicone and this fixed the problem.


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Old 18-08-2014, 05:28   #13
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Re: Lavac spurts at pump when I pump

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Originally Posted by Ketchgould View Post
I sealed the center hole in the diaphragm with some silicone and this fixed the problem.


Christian Gould
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Good to know thanks for the follow up.
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Old 18-08-2014, 16:30   #14
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Re: Lavac Spurts at Pump when I Pump

Hi Christian

If you are not sure how many pumps you need to clear your system I suggest you add some food colouring or milk to Lavac. Have a crew person count the pumps necessary for you to see the dye stop coming from the outlet and then you know will know how many pumps to clear your system.

Our Lavac is 33 years old and the boat has had two liveaboard owners. The boat has done a world circumnavigation and we have added another 80,000 nms to her mileage. We need 20 pumps to clear the system. The only problem we had with the Lavac was when we installed diaphragms that had been sitting in chandelries for years. We thought they were a bargain when we found them but proved more effort than worth. Now we are careful where we purchase spares.

Lavac - It is the best system

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Old 18-08-2014, 17:14   #15
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Re: Lavac Spurts at Pump when I Pump

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Originally Posted by sapient sue View Post
Hi Christian

If you are not sure how many pumps you need to clear your system I suggest you add some food colouring or milk to Lavac. Have a crew person count the pumps necessary for you to see the dye stop coming from the outlet and then you know will know how many pumps to clear your system.

Our Lavac is 33 years old and the boat has had two liveaboard owners. The boat has done a world circumnavigation and we have added another 80,000 nms to her mileage. We need 20 pumps to clear the system. The only problem we had with the Lavac was when we installed diaphragms that had been sitting in chandelries for years. We thought they were a bargain when we found them but proved more effort than worth. Now we are careful where we purchase spares.

Lavac - It is the best system

Sapient Sue
Sue:

I agree the Lavac is a great system. How long have you found the diaphragms for your Lavac last? I've had one in use for about eight years and is still working fine. Though I'm currently only living aboard for six months of the year and solo. I'm also if it ain't broke mindset about certain systems on board.
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