Hello all, new here so bare with me. Have a Dometic toilet in Lotus van and have tried all sorts of concoctions to loosen up the slide mechanism to dump waste from bowl to wastetank. I've used olive oil, grape oil, rubber grease and petroleum jelly (Vasoline). I've spread it on the seal and also the two chromed steel rods underneath and with-in a few days the slide goes back to being unable to open. Any ideas please would be welcome.
Delta18 said
12:27 PM Dec 7, 2016
It sounds like you have a mechanical problem rather than lubrication. The thetford book recommends olive oil only for lube.
I would be checking that everything is lining up correctly with the cassette.
PeterInSa said
12:59 PM Dec 7, 2016
Helped a friend with a similar problem, but yours may be different.
In the waste container, my understanding is that there is a valve that lets air release if the pressure builds up, this can be blocked if you shake the container B4 empting. Friend could not remove the waste container, it seemed to be to be expanded. I removed the yellow empty cap (waste container in situ), the waste container shrunk in size and he could remove it. Your situation may be similar the container has expanded and stopped you moving the slide.
muzzagod said
01:05 PM Dec 7, 2016
I have whole toilet out of van at the moment. Have checked alignment, have re-greased alignment rods and seal, nice and loose now. I'll wait a couple of days and work it each day, see if she seizes up again.
Dougwe said
03:19 PM Dec 7, 2016
Welcome to the gang muzzagod, enjoy here and out in the playground.
We all have to deal with a crappy job from time to time. I use Olive Oil spray and works well for me. I have to remember not to cook the chips in that oil though.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
muzzagod said
03:53 PM Dec 7, 2016
Just spoke to a friend (fellow caravanner who's been doing it for 30+ years). He had the same problem, and googled for info. Found it was a common problem with the Dometic. A new slide unit worked for a while, but the main remedy found was to lubricate the rubber seals and ( in particular ) the rods after each dump point visit. Common thoughts expressed were that sliding mechanism WOULD NOT WORK WELL after more than three days, and it is a must to at least lubricate the alignment rods every second to third day of travel.
woolman said
07:03 PM Dec 7, 2016
I have a spray bottle of olive oil, srewed a tin to bottom of storage bin to hold the spray bottle. Makes a big mess is it falls over and leaks. Make sure you have pure oil, not ones called olive oil that can be up to 95% vegitable oil. Read the ingredients carefully. Cant trust a super market or dicount store.
Give it all a good wash out with a nappysan equivalent. About a quarter tank of water, a cap of nappysan and shake like New Zealand. Dont forget to also shake upside down.
Good luck
Neil
.
.
mr glassies said
08:23 PM Dec 7, 2016
We have a thetford and spread the inside mechanism with cooking oil even sprayin the bin around the slides and now and then I take of the handle that opens the trap door and spray a bit down there.
Dibs
Delta18 said
08:41 PM Dec 7, 2016
woolman wrote:
About a quarter tank of water, a cap of nappysan and shake like New Zealand. Dont forget to also shake upside down. Good luck Neil . .
If you have the later type cassette that has a "Full" warning light DO NOT shake vigorously, you will damage the float mechanism and you will be up to your elbow inside the tank to fix it!
Aus-Kiwi said
10:53 PM Dec 7, 2016
Spray on tyre shine is another goood lube . Silicone based .
banjo said
03:52 PM Dec 10, 2016
Had this problem continuously with the dometic ! it is caused by gunk build up inside the sliding rod housing, a spray of silicone helps but it just gets worse again eventually, Have you removed the complete slide and cleaned out to void inside where the rods are ? I used to use a pressure washer to do this and it's amazing the gunk and mess that comes out, it gives a reprieve to the problem but only cure I found was to dump the lot and fit a Thetford ! so much better quality than the Dometic.
I honestly don't know how they can get away with such rubbish, we had many leaks too ! fitted a new slide under warranty and cured for a few months, then it starts again, simply IMO not fit for purpose for full time use.
Another issue we had was the cassette holder under the toilet is very hard to clean after one of the many leaks we had, hence my decision to replace with a different toilet. Not a simple job as I had to replace the outside hatch too as Thetford use a different orientation. But so well worth it now, we have a quality toilet that does not leak and inside the cassette void a flat surface for easy wiping out to clean.
muzzagod said
05:15 PM Dec 10, 2016
Thank you to one and all for the replies. Funny you should mention the leak, Banjo. We have it as well. it's too close to Christmas nowso will re-assemble the toilet and look at it next year.
What model Thetford did you go with Banjo?
Murray
banjo said
10:50 PM Dec 10, 2016
muzzagod wrote:
What model Thetford did you go with Banjo?
Murray
I got the new ceramic one, this is it http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=9592
Simply chalk and cheese compared to the other removed one, even the seat feels like a proper seat, instead of a piece of flimsy tupperware !
We've had it in now for 6 months and it's just great.
As it hasnt been christened yet are there any tricks I should do from day one...???
Bloody Nora... can they be that bad...??? I noticed even Paradise are using the Dometic job and they are sposed to be the ducks guts in humpys with wheels...
I use plenty of Olive Oil in me cookin, wonder if I will need it on the slider then...???
Hello all, new here so bare with me. Have a Dometic toilet in Lotus van and have tried all sorts of concoctions to loosen up the slide mechanism to dump waste from bowl to wastetank. I've used olive oil, grape oil, rubber grease and petroleum jelly (Vasoline). I've spread it on the seal and also the two chromed steel rods underneath and with-in a few days the slide goes back to being unable to open. Any ideas please would be welcome.
It sounds like you have a mechanical problem rather than lubrication. The thetford book recommends olive oil only for lube.
I would be checking that everything is lining up correctly with the cassette.
In the waste container, my understanding is that there is a valve that lets air release if the pressure builds up, this can be blocked if you shake the container B4 empting. Friend could not remove the waste container, it seemed to be to be expanded. I removed the yellow empty cap (waste container in situ), the waste container shrunk in size and he could remove it. Your situation may be similar the container has expanded and stopped you moving the slide.
We all have to deal with a crappy job from time to time. I use Olive Oil spray and works well for me. I have to remember not to cook the chips in that oil though.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Dibs
If you have the later type cassette that has a "Full" warning light DO NOT shake vigorously, you will damage the float mechanism and you will be up to your elbow inside the tank to fix it!
I honestly don't know how they can get away with such rubbish, we had many leaks too ! fitted a new slide under warranty and cured for a few months, then it starts again, simply IMO not fit for purpose for full time use.
Another issue we had was the cassette holder under the toilet is very hard to clean after one of the many leaks we had, hence my decision to replace with a different toilet. Not a simple job as I had to replace the outside hatch too as Thetford use a different orientation. But so well worth it now, we have a quality toilet that does not leak and inside the cassette void a flat surface for easy wiping out to clean.
What model Thetford did you go with Banjo?
Murray
I got the new ceramic one, this is it http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=9592
Simply chalk and cheese compared to the other removed one, even the seat feels like a proper seat, instead of a piece of flimsy tupperware !
We've had it in now for 6 months and it's just great.
Pick up the Winnie Espie (camperagent.com.au/listings/2010-winnebago-esperance-um129/ ) next Tuesday, Camperagent here in SA fitted a new dunnie a Dometic CTS 4110.
As it hasnt been christened yet are there any tricks I should do from day one...???
Bloody Nora... can they be that bad...??? I noticed even Paradise are using the Dometic job and they are sposed to be the ducks guts in humpys with wheels...
I use plenty of Olive Oil in me cookin, wonder if I will need it on the slider then...???
Looked at vaccume Dr Google = no good
Dometic Dr G.= no good
Thetford Dr G. = bit good
Next this ...??? www.youtube.com/watch
vik...???