Toilet flush valve leaks. Any easy tips to remove toilet paper from valve? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

TheDigitalHippies · RV-Dreams Family Member

Toilet flush valve leaks. Any easy tips to remove toilet paper from valve?

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

You might have pull the top of the toilet off to clean it properly. Do so on a day you can run to an RV supply store to get a new seal kit, if it turns out you need one. I hate doing this job since it is plumbing and the worst kind of plumbing, but it is relatively easy.

-- Edited by bjoyce on Wednesday 27th of March 2013 09:22:08 AM

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Also be carefully down there with a hanger, if the rubber gasket gets damaged the toilet will never hold water......

Clay L · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thetford makes a tool for cleaning the groove. See http://www.rvshop.com/THETFORD-BENT-SCREWDRIVER-VALVE-CLEANING-TOOL-MFG-33011_p_55640.html

I don't know if it works better than the clothes hanger though.

Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 31st of March 2013 12:24:32 PM

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Another cleaning tool that is designed for cleaning the seal of the "stopper" valve is one that is a flat device like a tongue depressor, but with a rough textured addition on one end. I've not had to use ours yet, and I'm not even sure what it would really be called. Check out the links below for pictures of the device.

Toilet Seal Cleaning Tool 1

Toilet Seal Cleaning Tool 2

Terry

Trabuco · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you have to pull the toilet apart I think I would replace the seal kit as a just because! Once you into why not.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

The job of taking the toilet apart isn't difficult or time consuming. I have a Dometic seal kit out and it has instructions. I am sure Thetford also includes instructions. Find your toilet model number and get the seal kit at an RV supply place or online. Once you pull the toilet apart you might not need the kit, but will have it in case you do. I recommend using CLR, which is Calcium-Lime-Rust, available with the cleaning supplies at Wal-Mart and other stores, to clean with. It works wonders on the toilet bowl and should not interfere with the black tank bacteria.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Another thought would to be sure and let the flush pedal "snap" back to some degree from the depressed mode. I know that if Jo flushes sometimes, she doesn't allow that to occur and it allows the water to drain into the black tank. When I flush, I always allow it to snap back to some degree and I've not seen the same problem.

We had company last weekend with about 5 or 6 of us in the coach at one time. I made it a point to check the toilet on occasion and pull up on the flush pedal to allow more water into the bowl. With more water in the bowl, when the ladies would drop the paper, it would stay "suspended" in the water and not stick to the side of the bowl, thus be hard to get it to completely flush down. So, you might try adding water after each flush to see if that helps with the paper issue.

It's amazing that we've been in the RV for almost two years now and I hadn't thought of that before.

Terry

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Like Terry I found that by letting it snap back it stayed sealed better.My wife would just ease up on the peddle and it would not seal almost every time. Why is it you never see your mistake in a post until AFTER you hit the submit button biggrin biggrin

-- Edited by Racerguy on Monday 1st of April 2013 12:53:17 PM

TheDigitalHippies · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks everyone. I'll look at the parts listed, and take the tips/advice back home with me. The snapping closed of the valve we haven't tried, so I'll try that, and worst case, I'll pull the toilet up and replace the seal. I'm handy, but also easily grossed about by the liquid that might be stuck to the bottom of the toilet, so I'll be in full bio-hazard mode!

Trabuco · RV-Dreams Family Member

The snap back trick wouldn't work on mine. Mine is push button. I haven't had the problem the OP has.............yet! I'm sure it's only a matter of time.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ive used a toilet brush putting it halfway into the hole and spining it

TheDigitalHippies · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Lucky Mike, that sounds like one of the most obvious, yes overlooked ideas! It seems great as it has strong bristles, but shouldn't damage the rubber seal. I will try this idea first before the rest since it seems easy, and like it'll work great!

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

A friend used a hot water heater flush wand, which you can get at RV supply stores, and had some success cleaning the gunk off the seals without pulling the toilet. But his wife had to clean up the toilet room when he was done since the water and gunk splashed out. (They are now divorced.)

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our Sealand (Dometic) toilet was leaking so this morning I pulled the top off the toilet and saw a lot of lime/calcium on the seal. I replaced the seal and we are back in business. 15 minutes top, including getting paper towels and a plastic garbage bag ready. The seal kit came with good instructions.

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mechanics wear blue rubber gloves to keep their hands from getting too dirty. I bet you can get them at any auto parts store. They would be great for jobs like this and other sewage jobs around the RV. When dealing with #2 it's always best to "suit up". There can be some bad germs in there.

nightsky · RV-Dreams Family Member

I buy the box of 100 blue nitrile gloves on Amazon for under 10 bucks.

TheDigitalHippies · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well I got a strong bristled brush, and some long gloves to tackle this job. I used the brush on the entire exposed part of the seal, and rubbed it around for a minute or two. If anything major was in there, it should have been cleaned out.

This didn't help though, and there is a separate problem (bad water valve) which means we're removing the toilet tomorrow anyway. I'd like to replace this seal, is there an actual word for the seal that I can give the guy at camping world so he know the part I'm talking about?

The toilet is a thetford aqua magic galaxy SH if that matters.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

pretty much you have it all.......make / model.. seal rebuild kit should do it ....you will also need a flange gasket or wax ring for the floor when you put the toilet back.

Good luck.....not the most favorite job to get the experience in , but you only have to complete one to become a pro at it!!!!!!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

If this is the same toilet that you have (I used a search engine with your title for it), then it looks like you buy the "Mechanism Seal Repair Package."

Aqua Magic Galaxy Parts

However, the comment with regards to the part number of 08368 says "While Supplies Last." That gives me concern as to whether any seal parts are available.

Then again, Amazon has this:

Thetford 09868 Aqua Magic Galaxy/Starlite Ball Valve Package

Having never to have had to repair one (yet), I'm not exactly sure what would be needed.

Terry