Head problem solved.

Rebuilt entire head with kit from Raritan. Found the problem.

We had been using some of those cheap toilet fresheners that hang on
the side of the bowl - basically the same thing as the cakes that are
put in men's urinals. Anyway, a piece of that cake had dissolved and
broken off like a little iceberg and worked its way through the
plumbing and was stuck in the joker valve, not letting it close
properly. So it was a two way street down there.

All is working now. Only thing is I'm not sure if we put enough grease
in the cylinder area where the piston rides up and down. We cleaned it
all out very well, etc..., but with the new gasket, the pump is
difficult to cycle, but it works. (The old cylinder gasket was worn
completely smooth, but the new one has ridges on it to help it seat)

Everything works, but we're maybe a little concerned that the
difficulty of the pumping action may stress the components too much. I
assume, however, that this is only temporary, and that the action will
eventually become easier.

Nevertheless, the head clearly needed a rebuild and cleaning, and we
are glad that it is done and that we now have that notch of experience
on our belts. One more mystery uncovered.

Thanks for all the advice.

Mike.


Terry K wrote:
My guess is that the rubber foot valve flapper is not seating properly,
causing the waste to move around it.

It may be blocked with a lump of something or other. A good cleaning of
the lower part of the pump may solve your problem. Taking it apart
without renewing the parts may be penny wise and pound foolish.

Terry K