Community Forums

PapaBear1 · 02-26-2012, 10:37 PM

I've had the toilet in my 2011 Cougar 318 SAB leak out whatever residual water gets left after a flush. I've been told to use "correct" grease, but what kind of grease does one use to seal the bottom trap?

Ideas? Experiences?

Mr_D · 02-26-2012, 11:11 PM

There isn'[t any, it's a bad gasket but some oils/greases can rejuvenate the rubber and make it last longer. I've never had a seal go bad though and I've been RV'ing since 1957 and most TT's didn't even have toilets then!

PapaBear1 · 02-26-2012, 11:49 PM

Hi! Thanks for this! I have had a 1992 5er since 1996, and never had such problems either! This one leaked since new, but I missed the 1 year warranty limit because it sat unused for nearly the whole first year I owned it, due to health issues. Now I've got to find a repair.

Any idea What kind of grease might soften it up?

Or should I do as I'm inclined to do- namely have it replaced?

nosticks · 02-27-2012, 06:09 AM

Your toilet is too new to have a seal failure.

You can try the easy fix. A few ounces of cooking oil poured on the ball and let sit. If that does not work, rubber gloves and vaseline on your finger spreading it on the top and bottom of the seal. One other possibility is that a piece of something, paper etc. may be stuck in the grove of the seal. You can get that out by making an "L" shaped tool to scrape around the seal.

If all else fails, a new seal will fix the situation.

jzick · 02-27-2012, 06:49 AM

We were told by a phone tech with Dometic to never use Vaseline as it is harmful to seals. He said we should always use silicone grease. I keep a small spray can in the bathroom and spray the seal every month or so and have had no further leaking (did clean the seal first).

Dunner · 02-27-2012, 07:03 AM

You can get a small tube of silicone grease at an auto parts store.

wa8yxm · 02-27-2012, 07:20 AM

As noted silicon lube might help. or wax the bowl and fulsh thing.

IT may just be a dirty seal.. Sealand models 111 and 110 have a cleaning tool that comes with the instruction manual, I'm sure other models do as well since quite a few different ones have the same flush ball thing.. (I have a 111, the difference between a 110 and a 111 is which side of the thing the pedal is on)

teddyo · 02-27-2012, 03:08 PM

We had the same problem with our's in our Everest. I took the unit apart (wearing rubber gloves) softened the seal with "PAM" (removed the crystalization), reassembled the unit and have not had the problem since. Every now and then I spray a bit of "Pam" on the ball and it has been fine.
Ted

PapaBear1 · 02-27-2012, 06:19 PM

Thanks for the many options to consider. I'll clean up the seal, although I can't seem to find and evidence of any compromise, it may well be that it has hardened, before it was installed in the toilet. If one doesn't work, I'll try another, keeping in mind that the Vaseline should NOT be used - that from my technician, and another's.

Cheers!

danes-on-tour · 02-27-2012, 06:25 PM

I tried many different methods and things before discovering the only thing that really works:

Plumbers silicone grease. I think my small tub came from Home Depot and it is made by Gunk.

Not a nice job and so far I haven't found a way to get my DW to do it

Dunner · 02-27-2012, 06:45 PM

I've never changed a diaper, but I would think a relatively clean toilet would be a piece of cake.

PapaBear1 · 03-01-2012, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzick

We were told by a phone tech with Dometic to never use Vaseline as it is harmful to seals. He said we should always use silicone grease. I keep a small spray can in the bathroom and spray the seal every month or so and have had no further leaking (did clean the seal first).

Yes, it turns out that silicone grease works well. Small job cleaning the bottom side of seal. Just turned off water, and cleaned it in place. Smeared grease onto ball, as well as the bottom of the seal. Now holds water just fine. Thanks again to all for your help and suggestions.
I'll unsubscribe for now. Cheers!