Another Toilet Problem

Outbumn · 03-24-2008, 02:04 AM

While de-winterizing the unit this weekend, I found that our Thetford toilet is not operating correctly. When you press the foot pedal water should enter the bowl. When you press the foot valve all the way, the drain opens.

Well, as soon as you press the foot pedal, the drain is openning and water does not flow until after the pedal moves past halfway. This happens when using both city water and onboard water & pump.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Outbumn · 03-24-2008, 02:04 AM

While de-winterizing the unit this weekend, I found that our Thetford toilet is not operating correctly. When you press the foot pedal water should enter the bowl. When you press the foot valve all the way, the drain opens.

Well, as soon as you press the foot pedal, the drain is openning and water does not flow until after the pedal moves past halfway. This happens when using both city water and onboard water & pump.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Ding-a-ling · 03-24-2008, 05:01 AM

Ron,

It seems strange you should have what appears to be a mechanical problem like this after sitting all winter.

Do you have an Aqua Magic V model? I would say a call to Customer Support is in order. 1-800-521-3032

But.......now thinking about this - our '05 Suncruiser 38R has an Aurora model which I do not see on the Thetford web page now. One pedal flushes and the other fills the bowl. Might you have the same type? Did you have the pump on and water in the tank when you tried to flush?

Just a thought.

Outbumn · 03-24-2008, 06:48 AM

We have the Aqua Magic Style Plus in the coach. Have tried Customer Support, but haven't been able to get through yet. Will try again later today.

The freshwater tank was full and the pump on, was flushing the system getting ready for the season. I did not have water running anywhere else, so pressure should not have been an issue.

full-timer · 03-25-2008, 05:17 AM

Sounds like you may have a restriction in the line or the toilet itself somewhere.

Joe

RV Wizard · 03-25-2008, 11:42 PM

Ron, which winterizing method did you use, potable antifreeze or just blow out the lines? If you blow out the lines how much air pressure did you use? Have you been using a water softner? There are several possibilities depending on winterizing and the use of hard water. If the dry method was used and you had scale in the lines, some of the scale may have broke loose from the wall of the piping and is causing your problem. Too much air pressure will also damage the ball valve and seals. Let us know and maybe we can be of better help.

NeilV · 03-26-2008, 12:20 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Outbumn:
While de-winterizing the unit this weekend, I found that our Thetford toilet is not operating correctly. When you press the foot pedal water should enter the bowl. When you press the foot valve all the way, the drain opens.

Well, as soon as you press the foot pedal, the drain is openning and water does not flow until after the pedal moves past halfway. This happens when using both city water and onboard water & pump.

Any thoughts or suggestions? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ron,

On my Sealand and last two Thetfords you pull up on the pedal to fill the bowl and push down to flush. The water should start to flow a moment before the valve opens completly however it is up to fill. Try gently pulling up on the pedal to free up the valve and see if that gets it back into the center position and operating as you remember it. It probably has not been through its full range of operation for some time and may be hung up on some scale etc.

Ray,IN · 03-26-2008, 08:28 AM

The pedal on my 05 Thetford V opens the water valve partially down, full down opens the dump valve. It cannot be pulled upwards, because it rests against a stop in its normal position.
I suggest inspecting the spring-actuated mechanism at the rear. Mine didn't work properly after months of storage, it leaked water. Operating the pedal several times cleared the problem.

Outbumn · 03-26-2008, 04:58 PM

I talked to thetford customer service via phone and email. The lady on the phone said "take it to a service center". The email said "You need to lubricate the metal link that is in the back of your toilet. I sounds like it is "catching"."

I also talked to a local service center and they are going to look at the problem Monday on our way back from the Martinsville NASCAR race.