Thetford Toilet Leak Down

Roger Watts · 11-16-2007, 05:36 PM

Maybe I'm the last one to figure this one out, but my Thetford toilet in my 07 Excel Limited has been slowly leaking water down. You have to let the pedal snap, up and the valve slam shut like the breach on a .45 acp.
Sometimes this had to be repeated 7 or 8 times to get it to hold water. Nice, at 2:00am ! Thetford sent me new seals after I described the problem to them. Nice people. Any way, there is a plastic shroud around the toilet that is held in place by a pair of industrial rubber bands. This on mine was the problem. The shroud came down just far enough to keep the pedal from fully rising, and letting the slide valve fully seat. I took out my trusty grinder and removed 1/4 in. of material at the top of the notch above the pedal. The toilet has worked perfect ever since. Beats taking the toilet out and disassembling it to put in a new seal. Hope this helps someone else with this same problem.

Roger Watts · 11-16-2007, 05:36 PM

Maybe I'm the last one to figure this one out, but my Thetford toilet in my 07 Excel Limited has been slowly leaking water down. You have to let the pedal snap, up and the valve slam shut like the breach on a .45 acp.
Sometimes this had to be repeated 7 or 8 times to get it to hold water. Nice, at 2:00am ! Thetford sent me new seals after I described the problem to them. Nice people. Any way, there is a plastic shroud around the toilet that is held in place by a pair of industrial rubber bands. This on mine was the problem. The shroud came down just far enough to keep the pedal from fully rising, and letting the slide valve fully seat. I took out my trusty grinder and removed 1/4 in. of material at the top of the notch above the pedal. The toilet has worked perfect ever since. Beats taking the toilet out and disassembling it to put in a new seal. Hope this helps someone else with this same problem.

rockintom · 11-17-2007, 03:01 AM

Good info Roger! Thanks. I had to replace the seal in mine (they had an updated seal on the 05 models). Just a couple of pointers to prolong seal life. 1). Never use harsh cleaners in the bowl. I use the store brand version of scrubbie bubbles. 2). Use Thetford seal conditoner (liquid) about once a month. Let stand all day while your out sight seeing. I installed the new seal about 2 years ago and all is well. The original seal lasted 6 months and really started acting up about 3 months from new. Just FYI.
Tom

Bruce and Jenna · 11-18-2007, 03:23 PM

Thanks Roger. I have the same problem on my new trailer. Dealer said "They all act that way." Guess not.

Now where's that Dremel grinder?

D and J · 02-23-2008, 09:55 AM

we just experinced this problem for the first time yesterday.

This Thetford seal conditioner. . .something special from Thetford?? or available at CW?? or what?

rockintom · 02-23-2008, 12:39 PM

Doug,

Go back about 3 or 4 post and read my thread. But to answer your question. Thetford seal conditioner is available at MOST RV parts stores and CW. Haven't ever found it at Wally world. HTHs Tom

Roger Watts · 02-23-2008, 03:22 PM

This is a epilogue on how it was finally fixed to work so it didn't leak down. By letting it snap up for a couple of months, it finally broke off the axis pin that the inverted cup rides on. Called Tetford, so sorry, toilet is now junk and can't be fixed. After buying a new one, just like the one broke and installing it, this one works smooth as silk. And yes Peterson did reimburse me for the new toilet.

brassringer · 02-23-2008, 04:23 PM

Hi. I get a rubber glove and some petrolum jelly and smear around the bottom of the bowl where the seal ball slides across and it works smooth as silk for a long time.