Raritan Toilet Head - Shaft Seal Won't Sit

[heraulc2]

I'm trying to replace the piston shaft seal on my Raritan PH II, but each time, the seal won't sit and is sucked inside. I already had to replace it on another head and had the same issue, but finally managed to have it stay in place... This time, it just won't work. Any advice?
Thank you

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by heraulc2

I'm trying to replace the piston shaft seal on my Raritan PH II, but each time, the seal won't sit and is sucked inside. I already had to replace it on another head and had the same issue, but finally managed to have it stay in place... This time, it just won't work. Any advice?
Thank you

Are you certain you've got the seal facing the right direction? The flat side of the seal goes up, or into the fitting on the top of the pump cyclinder through which the piston rod passes with the open end of the seal--that with the round spring assembly--facing into the body of the cyclinder. (A friend of mine had the same difficulty you report and, in fact, had the seal backwards!). It also helps to lubricate the rod with a little non-petroleum based lubricant and completely cover the seal spring with teflon grease.

FWIW...

[heraulc2]

Thank you for the grease tip. We will try it out. Unfortunately, we've got the seal facing the right direction.

[peghall]

When all else fails, call Raritan tech support: 800-352-5630 x 6

[heraulc2]

Thank you, the grease solution did the trick.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by heraulc2

Thank you, the grease solution did the trick.

Excellant. Just remeber to lube the rod with non-petroleum based grease once in a while and you're good to go.. (Petroleum based lubricants will deteriorate the seal.)

Cheers...

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by svHyLyte

Excellant. Just remeber to lube the rod with non-petroleum based grease once in a while and you're good to go.. (Petroleum based lubricants will deteriorate the seal.)

Cheers...

Really?? I seem to remember the Jabsco manuals recommending Vaseline, which is petroleum-based. And I always see people using ordinary bearing grease (axle grease) on rubber impellers.

What is the truth on this??

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Really?? I seem to remember the Jabsco manuals recommending Vaseline, which is petroleum-based. And I always see people using ordinary bearing grease (axle grease) on rubber impellers.

What is the truth on this??

FWIW it was a Raritan Tech that advised me not to use petroleum based lube when I called to ask about what seemed like unduly rapid deterioration of the seals on our heads (2). Having changed to a silicon grease as suggested, our seals are now 4+ years old and don't leak a drop.

[HopCar]

Over the long run petrolium products do seem to damage rubber. When used to lube a new impeller it washes off so quickly that it doesn't have time to do any damage. I always prefer to use a silicone grease on rubber parts. You only need grease on an impeller for the few seconds it needs to prime the first time. After that water lubricates it.

[skipgundlach]

Originally Posted by svHyLyte

Are you certain you've got the seal facing the right direction? The flat side of the seal goes up, or into the fitting on the top of the pump cyclinder through which the piston rod passes with the open end of the seal--that with the round spring assembly--facing into the body of the cyclinder. (A friend of mine had the same difficulty you report and, in fact, had the seal backwards!). It also helps to lubricate the rod with a little non-petroleum based lubricant and completely cover the seal spring with teflon grease.

FWIW...

I have the exact same issue - newly (NIBag parts) installed O ring and seal, pointy end down, well lubricated shaft - and yet, water coming out between the shaft and the nut which holds the other two parts down.

Installation instructions say to tighten only to Xin-lbs as the O-ring will distort. I confirm that, using only my hand and the requisite deep socket, as the O-ring tries to loop out. Releasing and starting over to just before said deformation is not sufficient to prevent active leakage (not a drop or two) on the upstroke when filling.

I also see no indication, nor was there one in the sealed parts bag of the replacement nut/seal/O-ring, of a spring. Where does this spring go, and, is there a part number I'm missing, somehow?

Thanks.

L8R

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