I have a leak in the back of my THETFORD potty, Modle:31652. I believe it is from the vacuum breaker, hard to see but seems to be coming from the top behind lid and wall.
It started leaking after not being used for a while and then it went away most of the time. I was hoping some seal had dried out and would go back to working properly after some use. It still leaks but only while filling the bowl, foot switch half down.
Questions:
do I really have to remove potty to replace this?
Should I replace anything else while in there: seals..?
Biggest one, this part went out in one year, should I replace the potty with something BETTER?
Is there some kind of maintenance I should be doing?
Have others had this problem and how frequently?
Wow that’s probably too much
Thanks all
John
I have a leak in the back of my THETFORD potty, Modle:31652. I believe it is from the vacuum breaker, hard to see but seems to be coming from the top behind lid and wall.
It started leaking after not being used for a while and then it went away most of the time. I was hoping some seal had dried out and would go back to working properly after some use. It still leaks but only while filling the bowl, foot switch half down.
Questions:
do I really have to remove potty to replace this?
Should I replace anything else while in there: seals..?
Biggest one, this part went out in one year, should I replace the potty with something BETTER?
Is there some kind of maintenance I should be doing?
Have others had this problem and how frequently?
Wow that’s probably too much
Thanks all
John
Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but you need to pull the privy. Just make sure you get a plastic bag and stuff a rag in it and stuff it in the hole, otherwise you will get some rather unpleasant odors.
I have a leak in the back of my THETFORD potty, Modle:31652. I believe it is from the vacuum breaker, hard to see but seems to be coming from the top behind lid and wall.
It started leaking after not being used for a while and then it went away most of the time. I was hoping some seal had dried out and would go back to working properly after some use. It still leaks but only while filling the bowl, foot switch half down.
Questions:
do I really have to remove potty to replace this?
Should I replace anything else while in there: seals..?
Biggest one, this part went out in one year, should I replace the potty with something BETTER?
Is there some kind of maintenance I should be doing?
Have others had this problem and how frequently?
Wow that’s probably too much
Thanks all
John
I am having EXACTLY the same issue with our Thetford toilet , only ours is model #31687. Still pondering what to do about it as so far have not been able to find a parts list and assembly drawings for this model. In the meantime we add water to the bowl manually using a large water glass and water from the bathroom sink. Obviously I would prefer to repair the assembly rather than replace the entire toilet.
I am having EXACTLY the same issue with our Thetford toilet , only ours is model #31687. Still pondering what to do about it as so far have not been able to find a parts list and assembly drawings for this model. In the meantime we add water to the bowl manually using a large water glass and water from the bathroom sink. Obviously I would prefer to repair the assembly rather than replace the entire toilet.
...VTX-Al
What style is it? the 31687 doesn't come up in Thedford's manuals.
What style is it? the 31687 doesn't come up in Thedford's manuals.
Believe that it is a Bravura model (I have found my original owners manual since my previous post, so now have drawings and part numbers). Looks like probably a defective "Water Module/Water Valve".
More info, FWIW - Thetford toilets have a 3-year warranty (third year is parts only). Service department at my dealer quotes 1/2 hour labor to replace water module/water valve assembly (part #8 on Bravura and Aqua-magic V parts lists) as long as rear of toilet is accessable. 1.7 hours if toilet has to be uninstalled first.
Thanks for the warranty info, I forgot about that. I believe my one year dealer warranty is up but I'll call and see whats still covered.
Thanks all
John
I called Thedford and they said, only one year warranty, darn.
I had previously called my favorit local RVservice center who could not find a part number for a vacuum breaker, Thedford straitend me out. I have to buy the whole valve assembly and RV center has that $38. The sevice department did mention that these potties will leak if they do not have enough pressure so I will check that out, 45-60psi.
Maybe I'll pull out the valve and check pressure before going for part, I am really tied of coming home with the wrong part. And who knows what I'll break getting it out, GGRRRRRR.....
John
I'm a reasonably handy person, but based on my experience, asking the dealer to complete the work for the same valve problem...likely the best $125.00 dollars I ever spent....I'm sure I could have done that much damage trying to fix it!
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Gas Mans and Pat's Books
2010 Flagstaff 831FLSS
2010 F150 XLT 4X4
Nothing is simple or I can’t let it be.
So I have attached some pic of what I found:
It started off as a valve assembly replacement because the leaking vacuum breaker is not replaceable by its self. You must take out the potty and to do this is surprisingly easy and not as smelly as had been suggested(I guess I do a good clean out job). But on inspection and thorough cleaning of the potty I find how it is designed.
There is no chute from flush valve to floor flange just a large open body, maybe 3+ cubic feet. What a mess, there is no way to clean this area accept for taking the potty out and cleaning from the bottom. What would happen if you ever backed up the black tank, it would fill this large cavity before seeing it at the flush valve. This is just a cheap design and will always be smelly when you open the flush valve. They should have made a chute to go down to the floor-flange and an access panel to get to the mechanics of the valve and such.
So I replaced it with another Thetford with a ball-valve flush and a chute. My $30 job became a $300 job and I am now 10#s heavier (porcelain potty).
I will keep the old potty for a couple months, to make sure the new one is right, and then sell it.
All is well that ends well
John
I reshaped a bowl brush to fit through the bowl valve hole. Since I added the hand wand with separate valves for the wand and the flusher, I use the hand wand sprayer, reshaped brush, and toilet cleaner to clean the area I can see.
While this won't clean the plastic above the valve, it won't "look" dirty when the curious want to watch the "action" when flushing.
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Never thought of it before and I had our old toilet out several times and it never dawned on me, I just cleaned it and put it back. Another case of not being very observant. May take our new one out and see if it can be done. Don't know if it would be of any advantage other than just keeping it clean.
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