Jabsco Par-Max pump with quick connectons

This is a rather arcane question and is long and involved, but if you have stayed with me this far, here goes:

I was dewinterizing my boat yesterday and noticed that a connection to the fresh water Jabsco Par-Max pump was leaking. Now let me say right here that it was not due to freeze damage as that pump had full strength antifreeze pumped through it last fall.

The connection was one of the quick connects that are used on this type of pump. It is a male fitting with an o-ring on it that pushes into a female opening that has a locking tab that holds the male fitting in place. I have used them on several other boats and they seal well and are convenient to make up the pump connections.

So I pulled the pump and took a look. On the suction side (which was not leaking) the female part had a circular base that the male fitting butted up against. But the discharge side (the one leaking) had a square base inside the female part.

Why square? Admittedly I don't see how the square base would cause the leak as the o-ring is what seals it off to the ID of the female opening. Is it possible that there is some rubber or plastic insert that is supposed to go into the square opening? But there was no such insert on either suction or discharge and it didn't look like there was enough depth for one to fit in there and still lock with the locking tab.

So, I am puzzled. I slobbered the whole male/female fitting with Lifecaulk and buttoned it up. I will see tomorrow if it has held. If it still leaks I guess I will buy a similar pump with supplied male fittings and replace the whole mess.

But again- why round on the suction and square on the discharge? And why did it seal tight for 14 years until yesterday?

David

Greetings,
Mr. dj. The only reason I can think of for the different profiles might be to ensure that if the pump is ever removed it cannot be installed backwards. As to the male leaking while filled with full strength "anti-freeze"..Not an uncommon occurrence with advancing years.

Regarding the failure yesterday after 14 years? It was time my son...

I guess that difference square/round is to differenciate the two oulet and ensure the fitting is going to the right place like Mr RTF in his immeasurable wisdo wrote in the post above.
For the leak I am questioning why you want to replace the whole pump. If what is leaking is the fitting replace it. And even in that case check the oring. If it is not damaged put some silicon grease on the ring and put it back or replace the oring and see.

My 2 cents.

L.

My thought was to get a new O-ring, then do as Lou suggested and use some Superlube on it and see if the leaking stops.

I had two old pumps in the basement . I had to go and look for myself . Yup that's how they are . This might sound stupid but maybe it's a fake way to get some more or less pressure , like trying to cram a square peg in a round hole ? Y'all go ahead and run with that wild observation .

The square port ( discharge ) is square deep into the pump also .

Might also be an assembly aid for the factory. Or to make sure it is connected properly when it's tested there. That sort of thing is very common.

Well, my caulking patch seems to be hiding pretty well. I think that Jay might have the clue. The square end may let it be driven in a lathe to machine the ID of the connections as well as the threads.

David

What I find most amazing in this thread is that a Jabsco Par-Max pump lasted 14 years...

And still going strong with a dab of caulk.

David

That's great news David. These are tough little
pumps . The only problem I had was the head cracked on one I was using for washown . I forgot to winterized
it .

djmarchand said:

And still going strong with a dab of caulk.

David

Click to expand...

"A little dab will do ya". Who else remembers that jingle?

Ted