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Old 12-23-2014, 01:21 PM   #1
BobandCarol
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Toilet

We have a new 2014 Montana and everything seems to work but the toilet. It is a Thetford Aqua-Magic and will not hold water like it should. We have done everything like letting the handle slam but nothing seems to work. If we need to replace the seal is it a hard job or easy job. Any help will be welcome.
 
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Old 12-23-2014, 01:51 PM   #2
Samiterry
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Bob and Carol, I ended up replacing our Thetford with a Dometic 320 because of all the problems people have had with the Aqua Magic. Thought I would go ahead and do it now than wait for problems later. How are yous guys doin ? Wish we were there.
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Old 12-23-2014, 02:26 PM   #3
Drifty1
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Replacing the seals is quite easy. I would try replacing them first before buying a new unit. Besides it would be good experience to have an idea how to service your toilet when traveling...
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Old 12-23-2014, 03:32 PM   #4
awaywego
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I bought the seal kit with the seals and new ball. Works like new.
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Old 12-23-2014, 03:40 PM   #5
1retired06
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Try turning off the water and lubricating the gasket with Vaseline. The ball gasket kit runs $15 and is easy to install, comes with good instructions. Do not need to pull the toilet.
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Old 12-23-2014, 03:43 PM   #6
Rondo
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Mike beat me to it Bob! That is what my service tech told me to do about ever month or so. Don't glob it on but just coat the gasket with a thin coat. Let us know if that works for you instead of replacing the whole unit with a Dometic!
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Old 12-23-2014, 04:53 PM   #7
DQDick
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I replaced the seal and still have the problem, will be trying the vaseline.
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Old 12-23-2014, 07:21 PM   #8
bigskyjimmy
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Do a search on this forum about all the problems with this toilet,I have had 3 fail on me and the 2nd one flooded my RV,on my new 2015 it started leaking after 1 week,I tried the vaseline etc...but it always started leaking again so do yourself a favor like I did TWICE and buy a Dometic 310 or 320 PROBLEM SOLVED!,AND also my buddy with a Grand Designs 5th has the same toilet and same problem and same solution
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Old 12-24-2014, 12:29 AM   #9
jfaberna
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I asked Santa for a Dometic 320 for Christmas. Do you think he can get it down the chimney?
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Old 12-24-2014, 02:57 AM   #10
Eagleback
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Do not use Vaseline. Use plumbers silicone grease instead you can buy it at Home Depot or Lowes for a few dollars. I had the same leak and the ball valve would not close very well and you had to pull up on the handle. shut off the water then drain and dry the gasket then apply the grease then work the valve. you might have to do a second application. If that still doesn't work pour hot water in the bowl then let it sit and the gasket will form to the ball valve then apply more grease. I did this and now my toilet works great now.
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Old 12-24-2014, 06:02 AM   #11
jlb27537
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Bob, more than likely you will need to replace both the ball and the ball seal.

When the toilets are shipped,(to Keystone) the lower gasket and bolts are in a plastic bag that is stuck in the opening created by opening the ball.

The ball is designed to rotate freely, not to be stopped part-way closed by a bag of parts.

When you have "flushed" it and the foot lever is released, take your finger and see if the ball can be rotated rearward. If it can the "tit" on the end of the ball shaft is probably sheared or mis-formed.

You will need the ball kit #34117/34118.

This is a design issue and can be easily fixed by installing a Dometic 310 or 320 toilet.

OR..............

1. Turn off RV water supply
2. Flush toilet to drain bowl
3. Put towel behind toilet
4. Disconnect supply line
5. Remove 2 bolts holding to floor
6. Lift up and remove toilet and place on trash bag
7. Discard old floor gasket.

Now:
1. Lay toilet on floor with pedal facing up
2. Pull pedal toward you. (Pull damn hard) Put hands in area where it rotates. It pushes into a plastic socket, a snap in fit.
3. Remove drive arm screw
4. Sit toilet upright
5. Remove 2 screws/bolts holding top to base
6. Holding base, rotate top part counterclockwise
7. Remove waste ball seal
8. Remove seal retainer
9. Push out Waste Ball and remove from base.

Instructions with pictures here. Click on 34117/34118
http://www.thetford.com/HOME/PARTS/P...2/Default.aspx

Next you basically reverse the above. The picture shows my waste ball that is not fully rotated which caused it to not seal along the rear area. This is from the top with the top porcelain part removed.




Jim
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Old 12-24-2014, 09:07 AM   #12
BobandCarol
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Thanks everyone for the info. Will try some to see what works best.
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Old 12-24-2014, 02:45 PM   #13
1retired06
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I repeat, use Vaseline on the ball gasket, IAW other recommendations. Not under the toilet, but spread around the gasket in the toilet bowl itself. Big fan of the dometic 320, but not ready to replace anything in our 2015 yet. Finger of vasoline around the bowl solved our problem. Good quick fix. You have now plenty of advice and opinions on leaking thetford ball gaskets. Permanent fix is a dometic solution.
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Old 12-27-2014, 06:54 AM   #14
DmaxDually
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I have a question..Is the foot pedal suppose to be spring loaded to return to the off position after you flush it or do you have to lift the pedal up with your foot? I have to lift mine up with my foot after I flush.
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Old 12-27-2014, 07:10 AM   #15
jlb27537
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by DmaxDually

I have a question..Is the foot pedal suppose to be spring loaded to return to the off position after you flush it or do you have to lift the pedal up with your foot? I have to lift mine up with my foot after I flush.
It is spring loaded, Follow the link I provided in a previous post and download the instructions on replacing the seal. Pictures are included.
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Old 12-27-2014, 08:02 AM   #16
bigskyjimmy
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That's what happened to my 2nd Thetford right before it Flooded my RV.. SAVE YOURSELF MAN get a DOMETIC 310 or 320,awile ago I posted pics of the damage to the back of the cheap plastic pedal from the spring, you cannot fix a Bad design,Chuck it!
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by DmaxDually

I have a question..Is the foot pedal suppose to be spring loaded to return to the off position after you flush it or do you have to lift the pedal up with your foot? I have to lift mine up with my foot after I flush.
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Old 12-27-2014, 08:08 AM   #17
DmaxDually
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by bigskyjimmy

That's what happened to my 2nd Thetford right before it Flooded my RV.. SAVE YOURSELF MAN get a DOMETIC 310 or 320,awile ago I posted pics of the damage to the back of the cheap plastic pedal from the spring, you cannot fix bad a Bad design,Chuck it!
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by DmaxDually

I have a question..Is the foot pedal suppose to be spring loaded to return to the off position after you flush it or do you have to lift the pedal up with your foot? I have to lift mine up with my foot after I flush.
I remember seeing the pics. Ok Thanks.. I guess I'll be up grading very soon..
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Old 12-27-2014, 10:38 AM   #18
mikedesj
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I have had great success wight he Thetford toilet seal lubricant.
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Old 12-27-2014, 11:08 AM   #19
DmaxDually
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I'm trying to decide which one to get. I'm comparing the differences between the Dometic 310 and 320. The differences so far that I can see is the 320 has an elongated bowl,comes with a wooden seat and it looks like it has a different flush pattern. They both have the 360 deg. flush. The 310 has the swirl flush pattern and it looks like the 320 has the straight flush pattern. I would like some input from people who own the 310 or 320. Did you compare the two and why did you choose the one you did. Thanks
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Old 12-27-2014, 11:29 AM   #20
bigskyjimmy
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I choose the 310 because it is a slim design and it fit great in my bathroom and gave me more room in there than the Thetford,only thing we do not like is the plastic seat but I guess you can buy a wooden one for them, also we like the swirl flush pattern better than the straight Thetford pattern
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