www.iFourWinns.com

Hi everyone, more dumb questions from me! My jabsco manual head this past weekend was filling with seawater even though in the dry position. This never happened before. What's going on? In reading my manuals tonight, it looks like I should be closing the seacocks after each use? Is this the problem? I had no idea I needed to do this. Hope the boat doesn't sink!

P.s. are the seacocks in the forward bilge area? I guess I never noticed anything but the bilge pump. Do I need to look harder?

_________________
2002 Four Winns 268
Saugatuck, MI

On my 99 258 the seacock is in the forward bilge area, just a small lever that rotates 90 degress to the open and closed positions. I do believe that you should close the seacock when not on the boat just in case of a situation where a valve breaks and there is nothing stopping water from coming in the boat (this may not be a real concern, but its not a big deal to turn the lever on at the beginning of a trip and off at the end of a trip). You said that water is coming in when the switch is in the dry position, but are you talking about when you pump the handle in the dry position, or it just fills up on its own? Either way it sounds like you probably have to repair or replace the pump, which I actually just did this past week and was a very easy job. I think it is only a few dollars more for the whole replacement pump than for the rebuild kit, and on a 12 year old boat I'd say you're probably better off just replacing the whole pump. There is actually a youtube video put out by Jabsco techs (I think) on how to change the pump.

On a side note I don't even really use the salt water intake as I think you'll have less odor problems if you use fresh water from the faucet to fill up the toilet as opposed to sea water, but you certainly want a pump that works correctly.

_________________
'99 258 Vista Cool Breeze II

The bowl is just filling up on its own (about halfway) after dry pumping it. It looks like it's lake water.
Thanks for the info!

_________________
2002 Four Winns 268
Saugatuck, MI

I also have the same boat and replaced my hand pump with the quarter turn locking style. I recommend you do the same if its not already done. This is supposed to prevent water coming in. Its a pretty easy job. You will won't to close the sea cock if you change the pump with the boat in the water.

The sea cock is near the right front corner of the engine. It is not all that easy to pull the engine hatch just to open or close the valve, but do what you need to. If you pull the hatch you might just as well be checking oil, etc.

_________________
Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

Actually, surface interval, I think I have this quarter turn locking pump. Yet I'm still getting water coming in.
So, they make the seacock really challenging to get to (remove bench and access the engine compartment) yet recommend opening and closing it every time you use the boat and when you're done?
It seemed like some lake water was starting to leak out around the base of the jabsco. Another clue that I've got a faulty pump?

_________________
2002 Four Winns 268
Saugatuck, MI

Actually, you can remove the engine access panels by folding the left seat support leg, unlatching the panel, and tipping it as you slide it to the port side and forward. But it is still not that easy.

I assume that you get about half a bowl of water because the hand pump is not sealing and the water level in the bowl is the same level as the lake. If you have water on the floor then that could be a problem. I had the hose connecting the top of the pump to the top back side of the toilet leak twice. Once was a hole and once was a loose connection. There were not any clamps on this hose on mine. Look things over. Dry up everything. And start looking and feeling for leaks. Check all hoses from end to end A dry paper towel will show water sometimes.es when your hand may not. I know, nobody wants to be the "head mechanic". You may need to try a rebuild kit or another hand pump. Hope this helps.

_________________
Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

I think my problem is solved. The wife and her 5 girlfriends filled the head holding tank to capacity over the weekend!
Never figured it would back up though when the manual pump was locked in the dry position. Oh well, we'll see how it works after a pump out.

_________________
2002 Four Winns 268
Saugatuck, MI