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Old 03-03-2018, 04:49 PM   #1
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To plunge or not to plunge

My recently purchased 2014 Coachmen Mirada toilet is giving me trouble. It seems to be getting toilet paper hung up on something in the pipe between the bowl and the holding tank. Then it backs up with every additional flush, even after the tank is emptied. Twice, when flushing, it was as if there was an air pocket that spit water upward.
Any suggestions on what I can do until I can get it to the shop?
Thanks
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Old 03-03-2018, 04:53 PM   #2
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Misplaced modifier, LOL

The Mirada was recently purchased, not just the toile t
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Old 03-03-2018, 04:59 PM   #3
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I wouldn’t flush toilet paper down. Throw it away. Only use it for urination until it’s checked out.
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Old 03-03-2018, 05:15 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by MargiLou View Post
My recently purchased 2014 Coachmen Mirada toilet is giving me trouble. It seems to be getting toilet paper hung up on something in the pipe between the bowl and the holding tank. Then it backs up with every additional flush, even after the tank is emptied. Twice, when flushing, it was as if there was an air pocket that spit water upward.
Any suggestions on what I can do until I can get it to the shop?
Thanks
It's possible that you have a pile of......well..poo directly below your toilet. This happens when the gate valve is left open when hooked to the sewer. The solids pile up and the water drains away. The gate valve needs to be closed and the tank allowed to fill. If you have a straight shot from the toilet to tank, poke an unbreakable stick down and poke around. You can buy a cleaning wand to attach to a water hose for this also.
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Old 03-03-2018, 05:31 PM   #5
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We usually allow the tank to fill at least two thirds before emptying and we do not leave the valve open. However, I have to keep reminding my husband to be sure there is enough water in the tank after emptying before "depositing poo". Thanks for your advice.
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Old 03-03-2018, 05:58 PM   #6
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We usually allow the tank to fill at least two thirds before emptying and we do not leave the valve open. However, I have to keep reminding my husband to be sure there is enough water in the tank after emptying before "depositing poo". Thanks for your advice.
"Recently purchased" pile of poo may have been an unwanted option. Do you use liquid or chemical tabs?
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Old 03-03-2018, 06:09 PM   #7
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The pods, like the laundry detergent. I do have some liquid, too.
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Old 03-03-2018, 06:10 PM   #8
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the simple solution is: water, and more of it every time you flush

RVs typically have a toilet that sits right above the 'thinnest' end of the black tank, meaning that the toilet exit tube does not always have a lot of clearance before the bottom of the black tank. When TP is flushed, with not enough water, it can sit there, continuing each time a flush happens, until, yes, the toilet paper pyramid happens, blocking your exit tube. 'Spitting' back when you flush is the symptom of this.

You don't need 'tabs' or extra things to flush to make this go away, just water.

Water, and more of it, everytime you flush. And, no, don't just 'throw your TP away' as some remark - that's really ridiculous - your toilet is for what goes in a toilet, period. Just make sure enough water is added before you flush. All of us experience this from time to time, it's not a biggy, and it's not a 'fault' of the factory - most RVs are this way.
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Old 03-03-2018, 06:36 PM   #9
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Thanks for your help. Is plunging a bad idea?
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Old 03-03-2018, 06:38 PM   #10
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you cannot 'plunge' a gravity toilet, use a stick or long object(tree branch, etc) that you can poke down the hole and swirl around until you see the clog leaving the scene of the crime! then add some more water...
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Old 03-03-2018, 07:02 PM   #11
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You may want to purchase an RV toilet wand, it hooks to hose and use it from the top side of toilet. Allows you to flush black tank out.
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Old 03-03-2018, 07:07 PM   #12
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Another "trick " that someone mentioned on this forum some time back, before heading to your destination upon leaving fill the waste tank about 1/4 full of water. The action of driving and " sloshing around " will do a pretty job of cleaning, plus when you arrive at your destination you are set to use the facilities. Water, water and more water is usually the answer.
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Old 03-03-2018, 07:41 PM   #13
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Another "trick " that someone mentioned on this forum some time back, before heading to your destination upon leaving fill the waste tank about 1/4 full of water. The action of driving and " sloshing around " will do a pretty job of cleaning, plus when you arrive at your destination you are set to use the facilities. Water, water and more water is usually the answer.
We do this in conjunction with the Geo Method. I have been messing about with RV's for close to 40 years and once I had the tanks clean I have never had any real issues with them. The suggestion for the water wand is a good one too. Does the toilet drop directly to the black tank or did they do a horizontal run? Unfortunately those don't work too well in an RV, but the industry tries it every now and again anyway.

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Old 03-03-2018, 08:20 PM   #14
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Twice, when flushing, it was as if there was an air pocket that spit water upward.
Might be a good idea to see if the roof vent is clear. Not blocked by any insect nests etc. When you flush, liquid and "other stuff" fills the tank and if there is no way to vent any pressure buildup you could get a bit of blow back.

On straight dump setups the toilet will allow air to pass upward as you send stufff down. On an offset setup like yours the pipe could be full and not vent thus causing a slight pressure buildup.

Yes, the infamous "poo-pile" can be the cause but don't forget to check the vent up on the roof.
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Old 03-03-2018, 08:43 PM   #15
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All the suggestions above are good ones. Honestly, this will fix it. Wear an old shirt, rubber gloves and goggles. And tell your spouse to keep more water in the tank and you won't have to do this again (been there done that).

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-401...inser/14504325
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Old 03-03-2018, 08:52 PM   #16
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Careful with the wand. It could break your toilet. Have to be careful.

Took me a long time today on my weekly dump to get the black tank totally done. Constant opening and closing of valve, hot and cold flush water, over and over. Finally it all broke loose.
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Old 03-04-2018, 02:37 PM   #17
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It could be some thing is stuck in the pipe not letting the waste go down
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Old 03-04-2018, 02:41 PM   #18
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Plunging won’t hurt anything
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Old 03-04-2018, 03:13 PM   #19
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I have a Mirada with the second, center bathroom. That toilet clogs easily, probably due to the nearly horizontal run to the holding tank. I finally resorted to a wand with swivel to unclog the line when needed. Works great.
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Old 03-04-2018, 03:49 PM   #20
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If it’s a pile as they said lots of water I’d also add water softener and dish soap to help clean it up. (Do a search on geo method). It will take some time if This is the issue. We bought an RV that was 10 months old and had a similar issue. Persistence water and geo method cleaned it up.
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