diaphragm pump

[azuredragon]

i have an old Jabsco belt driven diaphragm pump used for draining the shower. after about a year of non use it now doesn't pump. The motor runs and the piston is being driven but no flow.

i pulled it partially apart to see if there was any obvious problem. the inlet and outlet valves look ok. what I could see of the diaphragm looked ok but I didn't get the diaphragm completely out, yet.

Has anyone replaced one of these diaphragms with a substitute? An original, if I could obtain one (in New Zealand) would be very spendy.

Any other advice? I believe this pump is supposed to be self priming. And it is located beneath the shower drain.

Oh yes, the model is 36950-0200 and in addition to Jabsco it also says Par. And "automatic multi-fixture pump".

[Bowdrie]

The shower, ah-ha, I've a couple of them and it takes almost nothing under a valve seat to stop them.
I've only used the factory parts, (diaphragm/valves,) so can't offer any advice about an "off the books" replacement part.
They are generally good pumps, (and terribly expensive,) but they absolutely will not tolerate any "stuff" in the water.
The original diaphragms are a molded part, I'm not sure one could replicate it.
On second thought, might the center bolt be leaking around the diaphragm?
Yes, they are self-priming and will lift a fair distance.

[Lepke]

A hair clog in the valve can stop it from pumping. Take the pump apart and clean it. I think the diaphragm is a flat piece of flexible rubber sheeting. Parts are available in the US. Most ship outside.

[cal40john]

My Par bilge pump has a strainer before it. A clogged strainer can keep it from pumping if you have one.

[stormalong]

I have one in my pressure water system. They are very good pumps and go a long time before rebuild and they can be rebuilt just about forever.

But as Lepke and Bowdrie said these are for a pressure water system. Not for pimping dirty water. The check valve is the input pipe fitting. It had to be clean to work. The slightest bit of hair would keep it open and the pump will not work. Either put a strainer on the input side of the pump or get a more suitable pump.