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Old 10-08-2015, 10:02   #1
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My head pump gets stuck and is extremely hard to pump

Hi guys,

Suddenly the pump for my head has gone extremely tight and is almost impossible to pump.

Could it be a matter of lubricating it somehow or what could it be?
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Old 10-08-2015, 10:13   #2
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Re: My head pump gets stuck and is extremely hard to pump

I had one that was a bit stiff, but could still be pumped. A table spoonful of cooking oil made a huge difference.
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Old 10-08-2015, 10:14   #3
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Re: My head pump gets stuck and is extremely hard to pump

What type of pump is it?

Could be the piston needs lubricating (silicon grease is good), or a quick fix is to put a small amount of vegetable oil in the bowl and pump.

On the other had, it could indicate a blockage in the discharge line.
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Old 10-08-2015, 10:14   #4
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Re: My head pump gets stuck and is extremely hard to pump

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Originally Posted by Nicks View Post
Hi guys,

Suddenly the pump for my head has gone extremely tight and is almost impossible to pump.

Could it be a matter of lubricating it somehow or what could it be?
assuming you have the lever fully open - clogged discharge line, full tank, clogged vent are first things to check
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Old 10-08-2015, 10:23   #5
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Re: My head pump gets stuck and is extremely hard to pump

Hmm. I don't know how to explain it, but it's like it gets glued to the position I leave it in. I have a photo of the pump and toilet here:



After I use tremendous force (much more than my girlfriend is able to do on her own) I can get it unlocked and I can pump it - but still very hard. Which is why I suspect it needs some sort of lube.

As you can see on the image, it is an old toilet.
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Old 10-08-2015, 10:44   #6
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Re: My head pump gets stuck and is extremely hard to pump

Distasteful as it sounds, it looks like that pump can be disassembled somewhat easily. The amount of force you describe is a bit excessive for just a sticking seal IMHO, but there is not much to lose by trying some oil first.
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Old 10-08-2015, 10:48   #7
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Re: My head pump gets stuck and is extremely hard to pump

if it's a lube issue try the easy simple thing first, either go the marine shop and get some head lube or put some vegetable oil in the bowl with some water and pump it
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Old 10-08-2015, 10:53   #8
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Re: My head pump gets stuck and is extremely hard to pump

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if it's a lube issue try the easy simple thing first, either go the marine shop and get some head lube or put some vegetable oil in the bowl with some water and pump it
I should put the oil in the bowl and pump it out that way? I thought I needed to oil the cylinder attached to the handle or something?
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Old 10-08-2015, 11:06   #9
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Re: My head pump gets stuck and is extremely hard to pump

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I should put the oil in the bowl and pump it out that way? I thought I needed to oil the cylinder attached to the handle or something?
If you put the oil in the bowl and pump it will lube the pump. It wouldn't last as long as greasing the pump but it will quickly tell you if that is the problem.
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Old 10-08-2015, 11:22   #10
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Re: My head pump gets stuck and is extremely hard to pump

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If you put the oil in the bowl and pump it will lube the pump. It wouldn't last as long as greasing the pump but it will quickly tell you if that is the problem.
Alright I will go out and try that tomorrow. How much oil are we talking about? Like a spoonfull or a small glass?
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Old 10-08-2015, 11:24   #11
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Re: My head pump gets stuck and is extremely hard to pump

A few tablespoons in some water are normally enough.
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Old 10-08-2015, 12:10   #12
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Re: My head pump gets stuck and is extremely hard to pump

I had my pump feel stuck when I had a fish stick in the seawater inlet.
Pulled it apart and pulled out a fish that had been subjected to massive decompression, and stopped procrastinating about the seawater strainer on the seawater side.


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Old 10-08-2015, 12:55   #13
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Re: My head pump gets stuck and is extremely hard to pump

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I had my pump feel stuck when I had a fish stick in the seawater inlet.
Pulled it apart and pulled out a fish that had been subjected to massive decompression, and stopped procrastinating about the seawater strainer on the seawater side.


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You know that's a good point. I can not remember the last time I checked my SW head inlet strainer.
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Old 10-08-2015, 15:19   #14
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Re: My head pump gets stuck and is extremely hard to pump

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Originally Posted by Nicks View Post
Hi guys,Suddenly the pump for my head has gone extremely tight and is almost impossible to pump.Could it be a matter of lubricating it somehow or what could it be?
Lack of lubrication would make it hard to pump, but it wouldn't feel like what you're describing...your toilet would have been squeaking and dragging. You can try putting a couple of tablespoons--more won't help any more, but I don't think it'll help much if any.

Before I go any further, though, I have a couple of questions: what's the make/model of your toilet? Is the toilet equally hard to pump in both the wet and the dry mode? Do you ever switch between the two modes?
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Old 10-08-2015, 15:47   #15
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Re: My head pump gets stuck and is extremely hard to pump

...and I have one more question

What have you been eating?
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