Thetford toilet reservior leaks

Kev Pearce · Senior Member

Thetford toilet reservior leaks

Stl · Senior Member

Hi Kev,
It's not over full is it. The van I have now and my previous, if I filled them brim full (or over full) they would leak, so now only fill to about 70- 80% or about that if not a bit less as the cassette doesn't hold what the reservoir holds. Only top up reservoir to what was used.

Hoping it's as simple as that.

Len :))

Kev Pearce · Senior Member

Thanks Stl. Had thought of that, but it did not used to be a problem as I sort of ruled that out. It is something that has developed. A mystery to me that repair shops don't seem to be able to fix it.

villatranquilla · Guru

we were sure our cassette did not leak through the seals but when all other avenues of investigation were exhausted we purchased new seals and 'voila' no more leaks.

-- Edited by villatranquilla on Friday 6th of May 2016 07:29:55 AM

Bruce and Bev · Guru

Hi Kev. Have you contacted Thetford direct yet - their email address is www.thetford.com.

From past experience with manufacturers of RV parts like ovens, water heaters and fridges, we have found them very helpful and sometimes they will fix the problem outside of warranty at no charge.

Maybe worth a try............

Kev Pearce · Senior Member

Thank you for the advice given above. Will contact Thetford. Also, have half-filled the reservoir and will take it for a spin and see whether water escapes. May be just problem of overfill; but it did not originally "leak" so am doubtful re that. hank you all once again.

Kev Pearce · Senior Member

Bruce and Bev, have looked up Thetford site (and sent them an email) and noted they say you should not travel with water in the flush reservoir but if you must you should only carry a minimum of water. That makes it a bit difficult if one has to travel with an empty reservoir and add the appropriate solution at each stop. Does it not??? Of course, because ours has had water escape, we have taken to making up a flush solution mix each night and manually (rather than pumping) flushing. Perhaps that it the way to do it!! Anyone agree/disagree?? A bit inconvenient, but we can get by doing that.

PeterInSa · Guru

Not a problem for us (travel with water in the flush reservoir)

In the past I have moved fluid from one place to another by using compressed air into the sending container, this help the fluid to go to the destination. Of course you need to be carefull with the quantity/pressure of air and the strength of the container/ancillary equipment.

Am suggesting you have a van repairer fill up your reservoir with water and condys crystals (Purple), after removing the cassette and having an appropriate viewing mirror, put an air hose with a rag wraped around it into the filler hole, to seal off the filler pipe into the reservoir, block off the top of the glass gauge and apply a small amount of air pressure. Stop the air pressure and check for the purple water leaks. Note some purple water could go back thru the pump

Warning to much air pressure could explode the reservoir and glass water level gauge, need to use safety glasses and get a repairer to do the job, if he thinks its worth a try.

Making up a flush solution each night... I would get another Reservoir/Toilet if you like your van, and if it cannot be fixed.

Peter

laurieoz · Senior Member

I always travel with my flush reservoir full -no leaks -I do not understand why they said to travel with empty or min water

Kev Pearce · Senior Member

Thanks people. Am working on it. Van booked in for Tuesday. I feel a bit dudded re the "repairs" after reading Thetford's FAQ recommending to carry no or at best a minimum of water. We did not have a problem for some time after buying the van. We would have thought repairers would know about Thetford's edict. Oh well. We will see what happens. Thanks again to the people trying to help us. Cheers

villatranquilla · Guru

if you did not have a problem initially I'd bet on needing new seals

Kev Pearce · Senior Member

Just to keep all you helpful people in the loop to a problem that I need an answer to, Thetford has emailed me after my query to them, and said we should "take a closer look at the drain tube. It might be that the rubbers attached to that have deteriorated or even the drain tube has become a bit loose. Also, try to have a look at the seals of the water fill funnel". We are on to it. Thetford's answer is in line with some of the answers from you very good people. Thank you all again.

mr glassies · Guru

You will probably find the water is sloshing out where the handle and flush switch are its an o ring seal but not a brilliant one . Make sure the water hasn't damaged the little mother board under the flush switch

Dibs

Kev Pearce · Senior Member

An update. Van was in workshop 6 and a bit working days. The people said they could find no leaking. They did not change the seals so have emailed Thetford asking re seals, availability in our area and likely purchase cost. When I picked up van no sign of leakage. When I got home there was water in the small wells/boxes beneath the cassette and along the side of the cassette holder. I am now thinking seals on the cassette. Off on a safari in a couple of days so will see how we go. Unfortunately the workshop boss was not working today so could not phone to tell him water leakage obvious on my returning home with the van. We have to travel 200km to a funeral tomorrow so will try to phone him during the day. One would think that if no leaks could be found the seals may be replaced just in case, but that has not happened.

laurieoz · Senior Member

Kev Pearce wrote:
An update. Van was in workshop 6 and a bit working days. The people said they could find no leaking. They did not change the seals so have emailed Thetford asking re seals, availability in our area and likely purchase cost. When I picked up van no sign of leakage. When I got home there was water in the small wells/boxes beneath the cassette and along the side of the cassette holder. I am now thinking seals on the cassette. Off on a safari in a couple of days so will see how we go. Unfortunately the workshop boss was not working today so could not phone to tell him water leakage obvious on my returning home with the van. We have to travel 200km to a funeral tomorrow so will try to phone him during the day. One would think that if no leaks could be found the seals may be replaced just in case, but that has not happened.

Maybe I am missing the details but if the cassette is empty, how could it leak from the seals, or do you have it full of water?

Kev Pearce · Senior Member

No, Laurieoz. There has been no leak (not that I have noticed, anyway) with the flush water reservoir empty, but with some content in the cassette. When I brought the van home from the repair shop yesterday, the reservoir had lots of content; maybe even overfull; from the repair guys working on the problem. Had I removed the cassette before leaving the workshop, instead of just opening the door and not seeing any spillage, I would have emptied most if not all the water that was in the cassette. I now don't know if the water yesterday came from the cassette because it was overfull; if the water came from the flush reservoir that was half full; or if it leaked from the cassette because of faulty seals or whatever. Am about over the whole thing and although I am starting off with some water in the reservoir for flushing, I am more inclined to just make up treated water in a container and manually flush. We do not use the toilet for solids so that is not a problem. Cheers. Kev

Kokovans · Newbie

Hi Kev. I have the same problem as you have and following inspection have found the product used to seal the white tubing that allows water to travel to the sight tube has broken down with age. Ive managed to use a sealant to fix the front tube but its very difficult to fix the rear one as its at arms length and very hard to get to. Im trying different products to rectify this including silicon (didnt work), latex spray (too soft & thin to hold back the leak), urethane sealant (also hasnt worked). Ive now cleaned all these products away from the joints and will next try using JB Waterworld or a Ferropre sealant. It leaks with just a little water in the tank and also with a full tank. However I fail to understand how the water is allowed to seep into the shower recess? Maybe they are installed in two parts and no sealant was used at installation time? Please keep me informed as to how you get on. Regards George info@kokovans.com.au

Possum3 · Guru

Welcome to Forum George (Kokovans).

The thread you answered is 8 years old - Try relisting a new query in Techies Corner.