Jabsco Twist ‘n’ Lock Marine toilet issue

[Sailing Drummer]

Over the years I’ve had many of these but this is the 1st time I’ve had this problem, and both heads are having it. What happens is often when pumping the bowl dry, the lever that switches from water in to water out (flush control lever) moves a little bit and makes it so the pump will not work. When this happens I have to hold the valve with 1 hand while pumping with the other, and then it works properly.

My thought is that the top valve gasket or the valve spring is bad. Has anyone experienced or have knowledge of this, and know how to solve it?

Thanks

[Tetepare]

Common problem. I presume it’s wear on the cam surface, though I had two brand new toilets that did it. On our current Jabsco the problem is worse if you plunge all the way down; short higher strokes don’t suffer it as badly.

[Sailing Drummer]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

Common problem. I presume it’s wear on the cam surface, though I had two brand new toilets that did it. On our current Jabsco the problem is worse if you plunge all the way down; short higher strokes don’t suffer it as badly.

Both of these are fairly new. I have noticed that it’s not as bad or as often with shorter strokes, but I’d like to resolve this issue instead of using a work-a-round.

[team karst]

I just rebuilt both mine. But i didnt have this issue. Are your levers loose? I recall an o ring in the assembly that would cause the necessary friction.

[Sailing Drummer]

Originally Posted by team karst

I just rebuilt both mine. But i didnt have this issue. Are your levers loose? I recall an o ring in the assembly that would cause the necessary friction.

Neither feel loose. I’ll pull them apart as soon as I have time to check the o-rings. Thanks.

[peghall]

Sounds like you have problem that's been very common in Jabsco manual toilets for a couple of decades...it even pre-dates the twist n lock version: a failed wet/dry cam. The wet/dry "valve" is actually just a little "gate" (the cam) that the lever swings to block or unblock the flow of incoming flush water. Due to either a tooling or mfr'g flaw that Jabsco has never seen fit to fix, it hangs up...creating back pressure that feels like pumping against a clog or blocked tank vent, except it only happens in one mode--usually the wet mode.

The cure: replace the wet/dry cam assembly. Jabsco often sends out a new one for no charge...but then you have to take the pump apart to replace it, which can be a PITA and really messy because you can't flush water through the pump to clean it out before you take it apart. Worse yet, it's not a part that's included in a service kit.

So my advice: just replace the pump instead. It's prob'ly overdue for a rebuild or at least a joker valve --and besides, modern Jabsco toilets have fairly short lifespan--they're purposely made to be "disposable" like everything else today. A service kit costs almost as much as a pump, which doesn't cost that much anyway..and swapping it out only requires removing and replacing the 4 bolts that hold the pump on the base and two hoses, which beats the socks off taking the pump apart!

--Peggie

[SVTwilight]

+1 on replace over rebuild. Have done it several times when I waited and found the pump assembly on sale…

[Sailing Drummer]

Thanks Peggie. That makes sense, although in our case it usually happens only in the dry mode.

Do you know if Jabsco honors their warranty with a replacement part? The pumps I have were installed within the last 6 months or so. I also do have 2 new pumps and 2 old pumps as spares. Maybe I should try swapping the valves from the old pumps (in which that part worked)?

[peghall]

That makes sense, although in our case it usually happens only in the dry mode.

Thats where it usually happens.

Jabsco usually replaces the wet/dry cam assembly if the toilet is new enough to still be under warranty. Paul Campagna is their toilet guru...his direct line is 978.282.5246.


--Peggie

[Sailing Drummer]

Originally Posted by peghall

That makes sense, although in our case it usually happens only in the dry mode.

Thats where it usually happens.

Jabsco usually replaces the wet/dry cam assembly if the toilet is new enough to still be under warranty. Paul Campagna is their toilet guru...his direct line is 978.282.5246.


--Peggie

Thanks Peggie. Both of ours are new installs, but I’ll have to check my records to see when I bought them. I always make sure I have at least 1, usually 2 new ones ready to go in an emergency (plus I typically have 1 or 2 old ones for parts).

[Allied39]

When you install the new pump assy do not over tighten the 4 bolts that clamp it down to the base. Doing so squeezes the rubber out of shape and ends up with the flap valve miss aligned.

Common mistake.

Back in the day when I was doing a lot of these I would tighten lightly and then operate the the head and make adjustments in tension until no water leaked.

[Sailing Drummer]

Originally Posted by Allied39

When you install the new pump assy do not over tighten the 4 bolts that clamp it down to the base. Doing so squeezes the rubber out of shape and ends up with the flap valve miss aligned.



Common mistake.



Back in the day when I was doing a lot of these I would tighten lightly and then operate the the head and make adjustments in tension until no water leaked.

Yes. I learned that same lesson years ago. Not just for replacing the pump but also for servicing, if you’re so inclined.

[Boatwright]

I have noticed this same issue, installed the service kit which made no difference. Also nothing seemed to help the squeaky pump problem. Dish soap, vegetable oil, etc.. No joy in the head.....

Until: Oatey brand silicone plumber's lube (available @ Home Depot)! This has the consistency of heavy oil. A teaspoon dribbled in a nearly dry bowl and pumped through the works, fixes the squeak and also helps the cam problem. During this summer's cruise, it did the trick for three weeks of daily use. My theory is, the jerky vibration of the squeaky pump causes the lever to move a bit and stop the pump. Smooth pump action, no vibration, and no problem.

[Sailing Drummer]

Originally Posted by peghall

That makes sense, although in our case it usually happens only in the dry mode.

Thats where it usually happens.

Jabsco usually replaces the wet/dry cam assembly if the toilet is new enough to still be under warranty. Paul Campagna is their toilet guru...his direct line is 978.282.5246.


--Peggie

Peggie,

I got in touch with Paul - I was delayed in reaching him because we were off of the boat for a few weeks. Both my pumps were under warranty. I expected him to send me new cams but instead he sent me 2 new pumps! I received them the other day and finally got the 1st one installed (took a while because I had a problem with a hose). The cam feels totally different, as if the design has changed. There’s now a positive “switch” feel that makes me think this design will be much better.

Many thanks to you. And also to Paul and for the great customer service.

Larry

[peghall]

That's great news...and the kind of customer service that's rare today!


--Peggie