Jabsco pump failures

J

JamesTXSD

Active member
As I've documented here, we have had several fresh water pump failures in the 3 years we've owned Wild Blue. During that same time, no failure of the fresh water wash down pump, and two bilge pump failures. When we picked up the last one at West Marine on our way to the Erie Canal trip, the guy from WM told me that these pumps are guaranteed for 3 years. C-Dory (the Reynolds) replaced the first pump, the rest have been out of pocket.

Now that we are back home, I thought I'd post what I hope will be a resolution of the latest pump failure. I contacted Jabsco (ITT, "Engineered for Life" is the motto on the box) and spoke to their warranty claims tech support. The gentleman listened to my tale and asked me to submit all the information in writing via e-mail. He said it will be reviewed and they will likely send a replacement pump for our last failure.

Considering the history of these pump failures, it would be a good idea to have a replacement onboard.

During our conversation, he told me that he hadn't heard of any problem with these pumps. I let him know that quite a few of us who have demand water systems on this forum have had an issue. Until the guy from West Marine told me, I had no idea that the pumps were warrantied for 3 years. Considering the frustration factor, I'd rather have a pump that lasts. Barring that, I'd go with a warranty replacement.

When I told the guy that I'd pay extra for a pump made in the USA (this one clearly says "Made in China" on the front of the pump), he told me that there was no difference in the manufacturing. In years of boat and RV ownership, I recall only one other pump failure, and that was promptly replaced by the RV manufacturer... 15 years ago.

I'm not saying that the pump is junk because of where it's made, just saying that perhaps Jabsco/ITT isn't aware of the pump failures because most of us just pay the bucks for a replacement (I sure have) to get us up and functioning ASAP.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
In our RV experience the water pump has been the most failure prone of any single component. I have 3-4 old ones in the shop that have bit the dust. The motors are all fine, but the pumps fail. I usually carry a spare - I really like a little water in the Scotch !
 
toyman":1iscgwcy said:
In our RV experience the water pump has been the most failure prone of any single component. I have 3-4 old ones in the shop that have bit the dust. The motors are all fine, but the pumps fail. I usually carry a spare - I really like a little water in the Scotch !
Click to expand...

To quote the famous sailing pair, Lin and Larry Pardey, Larry said, "I think you're sexy, Lin... even sexier when you're clean."

Something to be said for a functioning fresh water pump. :wink:
 
JamesTXSD":1e3s079u said:
As I've documented here, we have had several fresh water pump failures in the 3 years we've owned Wild Blue. During that same time, no failure of the fresh water wash down pump, and two bilge pump failures. When we picked up the last one at West Marine on our way to the Erie Canal trip, the guy from WM told me that these pumps are guaranteed for 3 years. C-Dory (the Reynolds) replaced the first pump, the rest have been out of pocket.

Now that we are back home, I thought I'd post what I hope will be a resolution of the latest pump failure. I contacted Jabsco (ITT, "Engineered for Life" is the motto on the box) and spoke to their warranty claims tech support. The gentleman listened to my tale and asked me to submit all the information in writing via e-mail. He said it will be reviewed and they will likely send a replacement pump for our last failure.

Considering the history of these pump failures, it would be a good idea to have a replacement onboard.

During our conversation, he told me that he hadn't heard of any problem with these pumps. I let him know that quite a few of us who have demand water systems on this forum have had an issue. Until the guy from West Marine told me, I had no idea that the pumps were warrantied for 3 years. Considering the frustration factor, I'd rather have a pump that lasts. Barring that, I'd go with a warranty replacement.

When I told the guy that I'd pay extra for a pump made in the USA (this one clearly says "Made in China" on the front of the pump), he told me that there was no difference in the manufacturing. In years of boat and RV ownership, I recall only one other pump failure, and that was promptly replaced by the RV manufacturer... 15 years ago.

I'm not saying that the pump is junk because of where it's made, just saying that perhaps Jabsco/ITT isn't aware of the pump failures because most of us just pay the bucks for a replacement (I sure have) to get us up and functioning ASAP.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
Click to expand...

I have some friends that have been full time Rv'ing for about a year now. They are on their 4th water pump (Shurflo Extreme Series 5.7 pump) . I guess it's not limited to Jabsco
 
Good to know on the 3 yr warranty. I've just installed a replacement Jabsco for the factory pump that seized up. We'll se how long it lasts.
 
Jim, I have a couple of comments on your experience with ITT.

First, when I was a youth, I returned some shocks to Sears for a warranty refund. The lady behind the counter assured me (unasked) that they had never had a return on this item, until me. Asking around, I found that's a stock answer when someone questions the integrity of a product. Glad to see it's been used for at least 50 years. It leads one to believe that the goods in question are questionable.

Second, when we were in Tampa Bay a couple of years ago, we took a tour of the White Wringer Co plant that Judy's cousin ran. Somewhere during the tour, I was told that they now imported bearings from China, and that had stopped the complaints they had been getting. That goes along with the statement that " you're the only one", both of which are intended to stop conversation, cause they ain't going to change. They know the quality, but they're making more money.

Enjoy China.

By the way, Defender sells rebuild kits for both the fresh water and macerator pumps. WM doesn't.

Boris
 
When we were full time cruising, we had only Jabsco diaphragm pumps. I always kept two rebuilt pumps, and at least one rebuild kit in stock. I had quick disconnect fittings for both the wiring and water--took about 2 minutes to switch out the pumps--it always failed when Marie was in the shower!

So far I have not had any failure with Shureflow pumps...but one never knows. I do keep an extra on board.
 
Are we talking about what is referred to as a jet pump on the fresh water system on my 25? Haven't had any issue with it since new in 2005. Or is there another kind of pump on other boats?
 
Anna Leigh":2b7y4pra said:
Are we talking about what is referred to as a jet pump on the fresh water system on my 25? Haven't had any issue with it since new in 2005. Or is there another kind of pump on other boats?
Click to expand...

David-

If you have a "jet" pump, you may be ahead of the crowd with a more sophisticated pump than most of us have, and therefore a more dependable design. If so, good on 'ya!

*****

I think most "on demand" fresh water system pumps are diaphragm pumps with check valves actuated by an electric motor operating through a cam drive.

I'm guessing it's the cheapest way to design a pump that will meet the 30-75 psi pressure needs of the system.

Jet (turbine) and centrifugal pumps generally don't easily develop the pressure necessary, and piston ones must be too complicated, failure prone, or hard to engineer into a suitable package.

What we wind up with is still a somewhat complicated unit, because we have several components that can fail:

1. the diaphragm (which can be multiple stage for higher pressures)

2. the check valves

3. the pressure switch

4. the motor

5. plastic plumbing fittings

Then too, the system is prone to failure simply because of it's abrupt stop/start repetitive sequence that must be cycled through thousands upon thousands of times.

I'm sure they can and do design pumps that can last longer than many of them do, but there is that cost factor in there that drives everything, and I'm sure there's a big difference between users:

1. Most RV and boat folks don't really use their pumps that hard, occasionally doing weekend stints on board, so a less expensive design usually works out, but

2. Folks who use their RVs or boats intensely will push these pumps beyond their short limitations and will experience numerous failures.

The solution, then, would be to get a better, more dependable, pump, designed for much more intensive use if that's your usage pattern.

Moreover, it would make sense to get a pump that was serviceable and repairable, rather than just replaceable.

Does that make sense and fit with the pattern of observations we see?

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
We have a Water Puppy as a bilge pump. The impeller would stick and the motor draw would blow the fuse. I was able to solve the problem by running much heavier wire to the motor, and also shortening the path (I did not run the wires to the helm switch.) I used 10 gauge, but 12 would have been more than enough. Anyhow, as soon as I installed the new wire, the pump motor broke the sticktion in the impeller and the pump spun right up.

I like the Water Puppy because only a hose is down in the bilge. No wires, motors, screws, etc. I also used sanitation hose, so the flow is smooth.

I used a Water Witch switch to control the pump.

Mike
 
Update: I received an e-mail yesterday from Jabsco/ITT... a new pump is being shipped.

Maybe the "threat" of a new pump just waiting to jump into action will keep the current one functioning? :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Took my son out crabbing....no fresh water pressure. :evil: Probably yet ANOTHER dead Jabsco pump, but I have not had time to diagnose it for sure. What other brands do you all recommend? This is the 4th one since we bought the boat.
 
Well, as everyone knows, C-Dory boats are pretty near fantastic but the factory installed items sometimes do not meet the same standards. We are not a fan of Jabasco pumps, and I like Dr. Bobs idea of a quick a disconnect set up in advance with a spare on hand. I was unaware of the warranty and thanks for that information. Roger
 
Yes I am done with Jabsco/ITT. I thought I had my receipt but I cannot find it; the pump is <2 yrs old . I'm still gonna look though and contact Jabsco to see what they say. The pump sits vertically out of the bilge (water) and I use dielectric grease on all connections, to keep corrosion at bay as much as possible. I replaced it on our Desolation Sound trip last year when the pressure switch went out.

I went out and diagnosed it today. Power to the pump is good. So it's the pump. I just put a new pressure switch on this pump last summer as well. I have a spare so I'm gonna pull both apart and see if I can make up one, working spare.

I'm probably gonna give Johnson a try. Defender has them for a decent price. The Jabsco/ITT looks very similar to the Shurflo models. :roll:
 
I replaced my 4 jabsco macerator pump in the last 3 years today. I switched those over to Whale pumps. Will probably do the same the next time another Jabsco pump falls.
 
I use Whale brand pumps on the tug as it always has water in the bilge..(it is a working tug)... the Whale pumps are more expensive but designed for commercial operation...I have only had one failure in 20 years with them and that was just old age in the rubber parts and they were replaceable.
 
So I disassembled both pumps in the hopes of scrounging together one back up pump. Nope. Both motors are corroded beyond use. http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?...ame=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

I have moved the pump up from the bottom of the bilge and now have them mounted vertically as required (pump head down & motor up) on a piece of Starboard. I figured at least then they were not sitting in bilge water. The factory had mounted the first one like that and it never worked from day one.

What is happening is water from the hatch is dripping down onto the housing, entering the motor housing at the wires and I suspect frying the motors. The lower portion of the pump housing is sealed with an o-ring but the wires are not totally sealed. I would suspect the only remedy would be mounting it somewhere "dry" which would mean running new wires/hoses. I may look at mounting it under the gunwale, inside behind the shelves or move it up into the batter compartment.

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?...ame=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php
 
Several year back I looked up all the brands of pumps sold on the marine market by ITT and discovered more than a half dozen brands, including many if not most of the commonly used ones.

Often a pump they market will be sold under two or more labels. You can see it in person in the marine store, or simply see the perfectly matched specifications sheets and photos.

What's more, a closer look revels (not to surprisingly), that many if not most are made in China or the equivalent today. This might explain some of the quality issues.

A friend of mine who uses NAPA automotive parts in his business (out of necessity), says that most of the NAPA parts are of Chinese or similar origin today, and they have serious quality issues with the auto parts they have to install.

So the Jabsco pump problem is probably just one aspect of a much larger problem of poor quality products from emergent industrial sources (or whatever you want to call it).

Too bad the cost of much better American Made products is so high as to render them non-competitive on the market, at least until you get fed up with all the failures from the cheap ones.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Good point on the China parts.

I have a box full of Jabsco parts from 3 pumps. All of the motors work but the pump and switch parts are ??????.

My pump is mounted just as Jabsco required.

I have partially solved my problem with my wash down pump.
I removed the pressure switch and replaced it with a toggle up under the gunnel. This has worked really well so far. It just has to be turned off each time it is not in use. Kind of a PITA but easier than head down/ass up working on it every few days.
 
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