Community Forums

blackhawkscp · 07-15-2017, 06:08 AM

We have a Newmar Ventana LE 3709, bought new in March 2017. Our full bath has a dometic masterflush type toilet (I think model 8740). We have had a leak at the base rim since we purchased and no one can recreate it. So I hooked to city water and flushed toilet about 8 times and kept filling to max level. No leak. So I then turned water on to shower but not the shower head. I then turned on the shower head a few times for about 60 seconds or so each time. I then looked back to toilet and there was the infamous leak. Prior to this process I had several pieces of toilet paper and paper towels numbered and located around the toilet base, flex hoses and connection points in back, so I could see where a leak was or not coming from. No water on any paper around hoses or connections in back of toilet. The leak comes at times from left back left side of toilet or back right side of toilet and appears to be close to bolts holding to floor. Anyone experiencing this crazy situation. Since it is a macerator toilet there is no wax ring to replace. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

wagonmaster2 · 07-15-2017, 10:16 PM

Hope you get some responses on this problem. As many things that we've had go bad in 2 years with our 2015 Dutch Star this just looks like a problem for us waiting to happen.

Dutch Star Don · 07-16-2017, 11:33 AM

The macerator toilets have two simple connections. One is a 2" rubber hose secured to black pvc pipe with a hose clamp (drain) and the water line. If you remove the two bolts at the base of the toilet , it just slides out of the way and gives you easy access to inspect the rear.

Do you have a washer/dryer combo next to the toilet? Could the water be running along the wall from there?

wagonmaster2 · 07-16-2017, 12:10 PM

Since there's only water on the floor during a shower, have you tried placing paper towels on the floor between the shower and the stool to see if water is running from the shower and pooling around the stool? I know how water can appear in one place but originating from another.

Good luck. I know how frustrating water leaks can be.

13charlie · 07-16-2017, 12:25 PM

I am also having the same problem at the rear of the toilet. At dealer now see if it can be recreated. So far no luck. I have photos of the water but I am being told newmar may give me an incident number for now. I have a washer, although water is at rear of toliet only.

willipaul · 07-16-2017, 12:52 PM

i was thinking it could be the shower trap/drain under the pan....and it is running over to the toilet area so you think it's the toilet.....

JFXG · 07-16-2017, 01:15 PM

Blackhawk..... Check your shower/tub faucet valve assembly.

I don't know your physical plumbing layout. And you never specified whether the leaked water was cold or warm. But I can envision a scenario where your shower supply line runs co-located with your toilet supply up to the point where the toilet supply turns out of the wall toward the toilet. Or, perhaps your toilet supply is actually teed off the shower supply line.
Somewhere in the shower/tub main valve assembly- perhaps in the diverter valve-- a leak has developed that is only active when feeding the showerhead. Not a torrential leak, somewhat slow, and this leak water runs back down the outside of the shower supply line until reaching the physical low point behind your toilet, then dripping and working its way to the floor where it is visible.

Just a thought...

blackhawkscp · 07-17-2017, 06:29 AM

High Dutch Star Don,
We have a washer /dryer but the leak is directly under toilet and does not come from any other area to the toilet. Thanks for your input.

blackhawkscp · 07-17-2017, 06:36 AM

Thank you all so much for your input. The leak definetly comes from toilet base near back. I have placed numbered sheets of T paper around all connections in back to see if they leaked when I recreated the leak. The paper stayed dry. It is in for service now but I have a feeling they will not fix it and it will be up to me to figure it out. I really appreciate everyone's thoughts. I will let everyone know what happens. It might take awhile because it has been in service so much we are going to use it regardless before I try to fix it on my own.

Stuart W · 07-17-2017, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackhawkscp

Thank you all so much for your input. The leak definetly comes from toilet base near back. I have placed numbered sheets of T paper around all connections in back to see if they leaked when I recreated the leak. The paper stayed dry. It is in for service now but I have a feeling they will not fix it and it will be up to me to figure it out. I really appreciate everyone's thoughts. I will let everyone know what happens. It might take awhile because it has been in service so much we are going to use it regardless before I try to fix it on my own.

Call Newmar customer service directly yourself, and express the urgency of water damage to the sub floor. Maybe they can get the plumbing guys from the assembly line involved for possible ideas? Good luck. Also take a look underneath in the storage bays if this applies to the location of the toilet.

blackhawkscp · 07-17-2017, 10:34 AM

I think you are to something. The water is cold from I think. At least it is when I dry it.

blackhawkscp · 07-17-2017, 10:46 AM

Must be something with the name Charlie. I go by chuck. I have sent more pictures to newmar and dealer than a newspaper post. I haven't picked my rig up yet but will in next day or two, then I am sure I will have to deal with it. I will post any findings. Good luck to you.

blackhawkscp · 07-24-2017, 07:12 AM

Just got coach back and they did not fix leak. They recreated once but didn't fix. Sooo frustrating. Taking it on a trip and then either try to fix myself or back in shop.

blackhawkscp · 08-11-2017, 07:57 PM

I ended up diagnosing the leak myself. Found two holes in base (one on each side) about 4 inches further back from bolt holes. Got ahold of Dometic and they are sending me a replacement on Monday. Dometic and Newmar have been great in helping me. It took a little time to recreate leak by flushing and using the shower but it eventually leaked. When I unbolted and started to lift the John, as I tilted it back, fresh water rushed out of these extra holes. I hope this helps anyone who comes across something similar.