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Old 06-10-2018, 04:31 PM   #1
knapper42
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Thetford vacuum breaker valve

4 weeks out and the vacuum breaker valve leaks bad. hope this isn't a common and usual problem.
I checked around and found the valve is fairly inexpensive and can be ordered through Amazon.
It appears to be a simple switch out but I'm wondering if I would cause more problems with my warranty coverage by changing the valve myself.
we are in our summer stay in New Mexico and it's a heck of a long way to a dealer for warranty work.


any pros and cons involved with doing your own repairs
 
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Old 06-10-2018, 04:58 PM   #2
Carl n Susan
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Many of us prefer to do our own repairs - time, cost and skill permitting. Trying to find a dealer and go through the pain of waiting for them is much less preferable than doing it yourself. It is an easy repair and, to be honest, you need the practice as this will continue to fail. Hopefully you catch it before you flood and overflow the toilet (or even the black tank).

The general consensus is throw the Thetford away and buy a Dometic 310 or 320 (my preference).
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Old 06-10-2018, 05:05 PM   #3
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Are you talking about the toilet or the backflow preventor on the black tank flush system?
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Old 06-10-2018, 05:14 PM   #4
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Do it yourself.......very common problem. Do not do like I did.....mine starting leaking a week after we got our new Montana. Dealer called a Rv repair person to replace it and I waited almost 3months to get reimbursed for the labor and part.........130 bucks worth. Keystone finally agreed to pay........but took a long time.
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Old 06-10-2018, 07:33 PM   #5
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thanks everyone for the help. have the parts ordered so will take care of the problem pretty soon. after researching and getting a whole lot of negative comments and experiences I think we will be soon replacing it with a dometic 310. should have swapped out the one we had in our old FR Crusader when I bought this Monty,
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Old 06-10-2018, 08:37 PM   #6
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Where is this vacuum breaker located and what does it suppose to do?
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Old 06-10-2018, 10:57 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Md.FireFighter 3791RD View Post
Where is this vacuum breaker located and what does it suppose to do?

Just like the name implies, it breaks a vacuum to prevent water in the toilet from returning to the fresh water system, and this is a necessary part to prevent contaminating your fresh water.
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Old 06-11-2018, 09:28 AM   #8
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It's on the back of the toilet for the flush water to come and not go back! it's not hard to replace at all Had to do are's first time out got it at a little RV shop on the road then ordered a 320 on line it was at are bass when we got home.
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Old 06-11-2018, 10:02 AM   #9
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How do you know its going bad or gone bad. What are the symptoms to tell it needs replacing. Thanks.
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Old 06-11-2018, 02:00 PM   #10
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A lot of people take it out and throw it away or replace it with a one way valve. I replaced mine with a one way valve. These vacuum breaker give a lot of trouble.
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Old 06-11-2018, 03:52 PM   #11
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Lynwood He is talking about the one on the back of the toilet!
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Old 06-11-2018, 06:59 PM   #12
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Lynwood He is talking about the one on the back of the toilet!
Thanks
Lynwood
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Old 06-11-2018, 09:35 PM   #13
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Vacuum Breaker

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Originally Posted by Md.FireFighter 3791RD View Post
How do you know its going bad or gone bad. What are the symptoms to tell it needs replacing. Thanks.
Could someone answer this question please? I'm confused if you're addressing the valve under the sink or the toilet.
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Old 06-12-2018, 08:09 AM   #14
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the valve I originally post about is the vacuum valve under/behind the toilet. It would leak water out the top where it has what appears to be a rubber diaphragm.
I will replace it in a day or two when the ordered valve comes in but I intend to buy a one way (check) valve and have it ready for the next time it fails.
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Old 06-13-2018, 06:15 PM   #15
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received the replacement valve this evening so should get it changed out tomorrow. The replacement kit came with a large "seal" like it is intended to remove the whole toilet. I don't think that will be necessary as it looks like the hose clamps are easy to reach. Anyone had to remove the toilet to replace that valve?
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Old 06-13-2018, 07:09 PM   #16
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I have had to replace two of them in the last three years. Not a big job, about 30 minutes. The new vale is a direct replacement. The valve seems to be a common problem with Thedford, dealers always have them in stock.
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Old 06-13-2018, 07:29 PM   #17
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On some of them you need to the toilet I did not on are's I was able to get with out pull it only puled it when I though the Thetford in the garbage!
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Old 06-13-2018, 08:16 PM   #18
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Thanks for the help.
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Old 06-17-2018, 03:42 PM   #19
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replace

Is it a big deal to replace with a Dometic 310 or 320?
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Old 06-17-2018, 04:16 PM   #20
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Vacuum breaker replacement

Quote:
Originally Posted by mlh View Post
A lot of people take it out and throw it away or replace it with a one way valve. I replaced mine with a one way valve. These vacuum breaker give a lot of trouble.
Lynwood
Many of us have replaced our troublesome vacuum breakers with a standard check valve which can be purchased at almost any hardware store for only a few dollars Compared to what the dealer will charge you for their specialty item.
There is also a vaccum breaker normally under the bathroom sink which is for the black tank flush line. This also is a problem child especially if you notice a wet area under your sink after flushing out your black tank.
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