Frequently Asked Service Questions

General

Strainers

• I need to get a replacement cap for my ARG Strainer?
• I need a replacement basket for my strainer?
• My Drain Plug Broke off.  How to remove and replace?
• How do I determine my pipe size?
• Are Coast Guard approved fireproof strainers available?

Valves

• My valve is stuck, what do I do?
• My valve leaks, what do I do?
• Can I still get parts for legacy Seacock's?

Toilets

• What toilet do I have?
• Are rebuild instructions available?
• My toilet won't prime?
• I have slow or blocked waste discharge?
• Why is waste is being flushed back my bowl?

Pumps

• My pump won't prime or pickup water?
• Pumps does not restart when pressure drops?
• Pump will run but not build sufficient pressure?
• Paragon is unordinarily noisy?
• Pump won't run at all.
• My Reversing Pump only runs in one direction?
• Water pressure system will not hold pressure?
• My pump will run/build up pressure and stop normally, but comes on immediately when you open a faucet.
• My oil change pump has a hard time pulling oil from the pan, blows the circuit breaker.

Answers

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General

Q-  Will GROCO do factory refurbishments?

A-  Yes GROCO does do factory repairs and refurbishments.  Call 410-604-3800 for details.

Q-  How can I find replacement parts for GROCO products?

A-  Replacement parts can be found on our services sheets in the Service Manual Tab above or by navigating to the product in question in our Online Catalog and reviewing the exploded parts diagram.

Q-  Where can I find installation sheets, manuals, or parts breakdowns for my GROCO product?

A-  Installation sheets and product manuals are available on the in the Service Manual Tab above or in our Online Catalog.

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 Strainers

Q-  I need to get a replacement cap for my ARG Strainer?

A-  Simple!  Visit the ARG page to determine strainer size, then find cap information in the exploded parts diagram.

Q-  I need a replacement basket for my strainer?

A-  Simple!  Visit the ARG page to determine strainer size, then find basket information in the exploded parts diagram.

Q-  My Drain Plug Broke off.  How to remove and replace?

A-  Trick of the trade!  Take a flat blade screwdriver and heat the end with a torch until very hot.  Carefully, quickly, and firmly press the hot screwdriver into the portion of the plug remaining in the strainer until a clear indentation has been made.   Remove the screwdriver, let cool, then use a screw driver to unscrew the plug in with the newly formed slot.

Q-  How do I determine my pipe size?

A-  If unsure of a NPT pipe size a quick way to tell is to measure the outside of the threads.  Use the chart below:

Q-  Are Coast Guard approved fireproof strainers available?

A-  Yes GROCO offers fireproof options for each of our strainer families.  Add a prefix of "A" to our standard part to designate the fireproof option.

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Valves

Q-  My valve is stuck, what do I do?

A-   The first check is to make sure nothing is blocking the movement of the ball. 

If the valve is not blocked but seized, lubrication may do the trick.  GROCO offers 316 Stainless Steel Zerk fittings which can be used to pump grease into valves to help keep them lubricated and operating their best.  Proactively installing the Zerk before the valve gets stuck is the ideal solution.  

If simply adding grease does not help the BV, SBV, SBV-P, and BVS seacocks are field serviceable and can are able to have the failed components serviced or replaced while attached to the hull.

Q-  My valve leaks, what do I do?

A-   If it leaks from the stem tightening the handle nut may fix address the issue.   The BV, SBV, SBV-P, and BVS valves have replaceable stem orings as well.

If the valve leaks past the ball then the seats may have become permanently damaged in which case the valve either needs to be replaced or in the case of the BV, SBV, SBV-P, and BVS models the seats  can be replaced.

Q-  Can I still get parts for legacy Seacock's?

A-  Some parts are still available.  Call GROCO to discuss at 410-604-3800.

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Toilets

Q-  What toilet do I have?

A-   If the bowl sits directly on a bronze pump you have either a K-H or an EB model. 

The simplest visual difference between the two is that the EB discharge bracket has four bolts while discharge bracket on the K-H has two.  The "K" is also cast into the side of the K-H toilet.

If the toilet has a plastic pump off to the side of the bowl it could be a HC, HE, or HF.  All parts for these toilet pumps are interchangeable so please visit the HF-B page for parts information.  The only notable differences is that the old HC model has a two bolt gasket separating the bowl from the base instead of a three bolt gasket.

See the toilet section of the Product Identification Page for more details.

Q-  Are rebuild instructions available?

A-  Yes.  Visit the Service Manual tab above and scroll down to Sanitation Repair Guides. 

 Q-  My toilet won't prime?

A-   For the HC, HE, and HF this is usually a result of the inlet gasket failing and needing to be replaced.  Part# is HF-1.

For the EB lack of prime can result from either a bad shaft or word diaphragm.  Call and speak to a GROCO tech for details.

For the K-H it can be as simple as a stuck check ball or piston rings that have gone bad.  Call and speak to a GROCO tech for details.

Q-  I have slow or blocked waste discharge?

A-  Normally this is a result of a wearing joker valve. 

Q-  Why is waste being flushed back into my bowl?

A-  Piston rings on the pump need to be replaced.

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Pumps

Q-  My pump won't prime or pickup water?

A-  Check the condition of the impellor, gears, or rotors and blades.  This is the most common reason for poor pump performance.

Q-  Pumps does not restart when pressure drops?

A-  Verify the pressure switch is functioning by jumping the wires to bypass the switch.  Also make sure the air pressure in the storage tank is correct.

Q- Pump will run but not build sufficient pressure?

A-  Check the condition of the impellor, gears, or rotors and blades.

Q-  Paragon is unordinarily noisy?

A-  Check the condition of the impellors, the shaft coupling, or drive belt.

Q-  Pump won't run at all.

A-   First Verify power at the motor.

For Paragon verify that the pressure switch is functioning properly by jumping the connection.  Also verify visual condition of circuits cards for obvious damage.  If a visual fault is seen call GROCO for further information.

For SPO, GP reversing pumps or oil change kits check the fuse and switch. 

Q-  My Reversing Pump only runs in one direction?

A-  Check to make sure the control switch is functioning. 

Q-  Water pressure system will not hold pressure?

A-  Check output check valve and verify all faucets are shut.

Q-  My pump will run/build up pressure and stop normally, but comes on immediately when you open a faucet.

A-  Check the air pressure in the pressure storage tank

Q-  My oil change pump has a hard time pulling oil from the pan, blows the circuit breaker.

A-  Check the inlet hose size and condition to make sure it is not collapsing.  Also try to warm the oil before pumping.

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For repair details please call GROCO and speak to one of our knowledgeable technicians.  We are happy to troubleshoot problems over the phone so that you can get your parts back up and in service as fast as possible.  If the repair is too much to tackle on your own or if you just don't have the time we are happy to promptly refurbish any unit at our facility.  Call for details.

Service Manual

Below is the catalog of Product Service / Installation Sheets with parts list for all current GROCO products and many older legacy products.  For current products more information is also available on the specific products page in our Online Catalog including a simple way of identifying and ordering replacement parts.  For product trouble shooting please visit out FAQ Sheet tab above or contact one of our technicians at 410-604-3800 for further help. 

Strainers

 Valves/Seacocks

• BB Series Backing Blocks
• BV Series Seacock
• BVS Series Raw Water Strainer Seacock Combination
• FBV Series Seacock
• Inline Valves vs Seacock Install Bulletin
• SBV Series Seacock
• SBV-P Series Seacock
• SSC Series Service Adaptor
• SV Series Seacock
• SV Series Solenoid Valve
• SVS Series Raw Water Strainer Seacock Combination

Pumps

• 155 Series Macerator Pump
• 155 Series Macerator Pump Troubleshooting Guide
• 200 Series
• 5009 Series
• AS-100 Float Switch
• BP Series
• BMX Series
• C-50 (C-70) Series
• C-60 (C-80) Series
• CB Series
• CMX Series
• CP-20-BB (BBWA, BBC and BBU) Series
• CP-20-S Series
• CP-20 Series
• FPC-10-R
• G-3 (G-4,G-5, and G-6) Series
• GP Series
• PC-10-R
• SP-90
• SPO Series

Water Pressure

• 400 Series
• 401 Series
• C-5-C
• ETM Paragon Control
• IPS-383 Pressure Switch
• P-6001-A Paragon Control
• P-6001-B Paragon Control
• P-9000 (9001) Pump
• Parrallelagon
• Paragon Troubleshooting Guide
• PC-741 Check Valve
• PJR (PJR-A) Series
• PJR-B Series
• PSR AC Series
• PSR DC Series
• PWR DC Series
• TYPE C Series
• WS-100
• WS-200
• WSC Series
• WSG Series

Sanitation

• 144 Series Toilet
• 155 Series Macerator Pump
• A Series Toilet
• A Series Toilet Electric Conversion
• D Series
• EB-K Conversion
• EB Series
• ET-50
• ET-50-A
• FA Series
• FB Series
• G Series
• GM-50
• H Series
• HA Series
• HC, HE to HF Conversion
• HE Series
• HF-B (100 Series) Assembly
• HVL (PVL) Series Vented Loop
• K Series
• STK Series
• Thermopure Treatment System
• TLM
• TLMG
• ZDS
• ZDSG

Sanitation Repair Guides

• Basic Toilet Troubleshooting Guide
• EA-EB Toilet Repair Guide
• HC or HE to HF Upgrade Guide
• HC Repair Guide
• HF-B Assembly Guide
• K Toilet Overhaul Guide
• K Toilet Sleeve Bearing Replacement Guide
• VL-1504 Breaker Replacement

How To Find Replacement Parts

The online GROCO catalog includes interactive exploded parts breakdowns and part listings for all replacement parts where they are available.  Start HERE by navigating to the product and size in question to view the exploded parts breakdown and quick order tool, dimensional information, downloadable service sheets, specs, drawings, and more.  Or if the GROCO product number is already known key it into the search bar in the top right corner of the page to quickly take you to where you need to go.  Be sure to navigate all the way to the specific product size or voltage for the most comprehesive information.

Below are quick links to some of the most common products families: 

Strainers

Pumps

• 155 Series Pump
• CP-20 Automotive Series Pump
• CP-20 Marine Series Pump
• GP Series Pump
• P-9000 Series Pump
• PJR Series pump
• PSR Series Pump
• SPO Series Pump

Sanitation

• HF-B / 100 Series Toilet
• K-H Series Toilet
• ZDS Series Holding Tank

The Service Manual Tab also provides printable service sheets with exploded parts breakdowns and parts listings in addition to relevant installation information.  These documents make a great 'on the boat' reference and a helpful repair visual.

If further assistance in finding the correct replacement part please feel free to call GROCO Customer Service at 410-604-3800