Thetford toilet overfilling

[lappir]

Thankfully I wasn't gone for more than a hour but it was embarssing to find water in my bathroom when I was showing a new friend my home. It appears the flush control valve is not closing completely and allowing a very slow leak into the toilet bowl. My resolution so far is shutting off the city water and using the onboard pump and tank supply. I can turn the pump off when I leave and not worry about coming back to a flooded trailer. I sent off a request to Thetford and below is the response.

 

"Are you referring to the water valve where the water comes into the back of the toilet from the coach or the nozzle which is inside the bowl?
If you are looking for the water valve, the part number is 19831 and the cost will be $19831 plus shipping.
If you are referring to the nozzle inside the bowl, the part number for a white nozzle would be 36746 and the part number for a bone nozzle would be 36747.
The cost for wither would be $15.19 plus shipping. You can order one by calling 800-543-1219 or you may find one at a local dealer or online. "

 

Here is the message I sent through their customer service.

 

I have a Thetford Aria Classic model #19799 S/N 130924-19799-9804 that the bowl fill valve is not turning completely off. How can this be repaired?

 

This toilet is about 3 years old and if the valve cost's 198.31 I won't be replacing it, I will find a replacement toilet. I can't imagine it would cost too much more.

 

Rod

 

[AFchap]

Ask for clarification. Looks like an obvious mis-print where they repeated the part number as the price.

[Bobi and Dick McKee]

We have had Dometic 310 toilets on our sail boats for years and now on our 5th wheel for 5 years and never a problem. PPL has them on sale now for about 130 bucks.

[Kirk W]

Those valves can wear and start to leak. They are not difficult to replace and are available at most RV parts houses and for a lot less than the part number/price. Amazon shows them as available and costing $40.18 each.

[Big Greg]

We had the same model Thetford toilet for several years and went through at least 3 water valves for the same reason. We also had several other problems with broken cables twice and a broken foot pedal twice. You should be happy yours has lasted 3 years. I finally replaced ours with a Sealand (now Dometic) model 320 toilet 2+ years ago. The new toilet is MUCH MORE reliable and if it fails the parts are easily accessible!! Greg

[RV fan]

This is a common problem and the first time it happened to me I resolved to eliminate the problem. Fortunately, I was right there when the valve stuck open and if that happens with my toilet it will overflow. I run only off of my fresh water tank and use the pump. My solution was to install a 1/4 turn ball valve shut off valve right at the toilet water supply and turn it on before flush and off after flush, it will become habitual after a few days. Every RV'r should consider installing a shut off valve here if for nothing more than for an emergency leak at the toilet.

good luck

[lappir]

This is a common problem and the first time it happened to me I resolved to eliminate the problem. Fortunately, I was right there when the valve stuck open and if that happens with my toilet it will overflow. I run only off of my fresh water tank and use the pump. My solution was to install a 1/4 turn ball valve shut off valve right at the toilet water supply and turn it on before flush and off after flush, it will become habitual after a few days. Every RV'r should consider installing a shut off valve here if for nothing more than for an emergency leak at the toilet.

good luck

Got down on my hands and knees today to look more closely at the back of the toilet and found that there is a Ball Valve already there and it works. I can now go back to the quiet city water and will keep the valve closed unless I am using the toilet. My model toilet is all porcelain and I'm not sure how you have to get to the valve system. Hopefully either Thetford or Spacecraft can give better service photos or diagrams than what I have in the "Book" from Spacecraft. Thanks for mentioning RV Fan.

 

Rod

[Big Greg]

To replace the water valve (or any other parts) on our old Aria Classic I had to remove the toilet each time.

Here's a link to the Thetford Aria Classic Owners Manual, including parts. Greg

http://www.thetford.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Owners-Manual-Aria-Classic.pdf

[lappir]

To replace the water valve (or any other parts) on our old Aria Classic I had to remove the toilet each time.

Here's a link to the Thetford Aria Classic Owners Manual, including parts. Greg

http://www.thetford.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Owners-Manual-Aria-Classic.pdf

Thanks Greg, had every page but the last one in my file. I sent you a PM regarding some other questions I had about your replacement unit. Did you contact the company regarding the short life span of their valves? Anyone else have comments regarding expected life span of what was supposed to be a "High Quality" toilet? My little tiny unit in my Weekend Warrior had many more years of trouble free use. Don't remember the brand, but guess I should have.

 

Rod

[lappir]

To replace the water valve (or any other parts) on our old Aria Classic I had to remove the toilet each time.

Here's a link to the Thetford Aria Classic Owners Manual, including parts. Greg

http://www.thetford.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Owners-Manual-Aria-Classic.pdf

There is an error in the message below. The cost of the water valve is $35.49 plus shipping. We are very sorry about. the error..There is a manual attached to this email so you can see what the water valve looks like. It would be number 17 on the parts list..

 

 

Consumer Service

Thetford Corp/Norcold Inc

 

The message above is the response to I received when I asked for clarification of their first response. I waited for a week to see if they would actually come back to say they have addressed the problem with a new valve and I would be able to enjoy years of trouble free use. So far that's not so. I have responded with a bit of stronger comments and will await another response (or lack thereof). I don't usually get angry too quickly, give people the benefit of the doubt, a chance to redeem. Hopefully they do their best to resolve the situation.

 

Rod

[hemsteadc]

Ask for clarification. Looks like an obvious mis-print where they repeated the part number as the price.

yep. $19 thousand is a bit much.

[ANG0225]

Have viewed a video about this fix on Youtube. Need to do the repair myself but havent done it yet

[RV_]

Got the link?

[lappir]

Latest update. It appears that a tincture of time has resolved the issue. Maybe it's been the 100's of dry flushes that worked whatever was keeping the valve open out. Didn't want to do it on a work day but today I left the water on after using it to rinse the bowl after cleaning. Didn't see any leaks but checked back frequently and no rise in the water. Have left it on all morning and with several flushes all seems to be back to normal. Will still turn off the water if I am going to be gone for more than a few minutes though.

 

Rod

[Hollardawg]

Latest update. It appears that a tincture of time has resolved the issue. Maybe it's been the 100's of dry flushes that worked whatever was keeping the valve open out. Didn't want to do it on a work day but today I left the water on after using it to rinse the bowl after cleaning. Didn't see any leaks but checked back frequently and no rise in the water. Have left it on all morning and with several flushes all seems to be back to normal. Will still turn off the water if I am going to be gone for more than a few minutes though.

 

Rod

If you have been staying in an area that has very hard water, crystals of calcium carbonate (limestone) will form inside the water valve and prevent it from closing all the way.

[lappir]

If you have been staying in an area that has very hard water, crystals of calcium carbonate (limestone) will form inside the water valve and prevent it from closing all the way.

I have had various water situations since getting this trailer. Have had triple filters since new. Large residential paper filter followed by two charcoal block filters. Shouldn't be much coming through. DId have a softner ahead of the filters when at the hardest water and samples showed no significant issues. (other than smell) from iron sulfides. (that they couldn't detect). It has worked all day today. will monitor again tomorrow, but shutting it off tonight at bedtime.

 

Rod

[lappir]

It's now June of 2016 and last week I removed the Thetford and it's in the garage. Not sure what I will do. Woke up one morning to water on my floor again. The bowl wasn't over filling but a fine mist was coming from the back of the unit. No way to see exactly where without removing it. The mechanism looks quite complicated and for being only three years old, quite rusty and corroded. Not what I would expect for a $500 + toilet. Have taken some photos this morning and will be trying to dismantle and find the leak. Hopefully I can find a You Tube video again.

 

 

Rod

[RV_]

Replace the valve and be sure of the fittings and O-rings. Many folks when winterizing miss the cross pipes in dual faucets sets and the toilet water valve by running pure antifreeze until it comes out red from the water nozzle coming into the bowl. If not done then the water in the valve freezes and cracks. I had the vanity sink one piece hot cold 4" faucet set crack the mixing tube between the hot and cold, and the water valve when I bought our current trailer used. Mine is just the plain Thetford with the hand flush lever.

[57becky]

Just get a Dometic 310 or 320 toilet, and save yourself some grief. We replaced our Thetford a couple years ago, and haven't had any problems since. Friends that fulltime had a problem with their Thetford a few years ago, and had to do a complete remodel of their MH due to all the nasty water damage.

[lappir]

Just get a Dometic 310 or 320 toilet, and save yourself some grief. We replaced our Thetford a couple years ago, and haven't had any problems since. Friends that fulltime had a problem with their Thetford a few years ago, and had to do a complete remodel of their MH due to all the nasty water damage.

Will probably be the way I go. Still waiting on Thetford to get back to me from an email I sent several days ago.

 

Thank you for your reply

 

Rod

[coachmac9]

Yep, same thing happened to us...now I just turn the water on and off at the toilet...which I detest, not because I'm lazy or it's a big deal but just because I hate it when something doesn't work as it should and the company doesn't change the design or really care. This is a problem that happens to many of this model toilet and has done lots of damage to lots of RV's. Seems like that is the norm with many products made for or installed in RV's. Quality and quality control seems to be lacking...to say the least. Ok, i will get off the soap box now.

[Dutch_12078]

Every RV we've owned, I've added a water shutoff valve at the toilet so it can be isolated from the rest of the system for cleaning, repairs, etc., without impacting the rest of the rig. The sinks also get individual shut offs, and when readily accessible, the shower supply as well. I know some RV's have those nice individually switchable water distribution centers, but I've never owned one of them.

[lappir]

Yep, same thing happened to us...now I just turn the water on and off at the toilet...which I detest, not because I'm lazy or it's a big deal but just because I hate it when something doesn't work as it should and the company doesn't change the design or really care. This is a problem that happens to many of this model toilet and has done lots of damage to lots of RV's. Seems like that is the norm with many products made for or installed in RV's. Quality and quality control seems to be lacking...to say the least. Ok, i will get off the soap box now.

Sorry to hear it. I have the water turned off and am using a bucket to flush. Haven't had a response yet from Thetford, except I should have a response in 48 hours. (that was days ago, I could count the hours, but why should I?). If you know of others who would be interested in pursuing a resolution I really think we should get together and demand either a refund or repair.

 

Rod

[lappir]

Just so everyone is clear. I do have a water shut off at the toilet. Didn't realize it with the first incident but now know. At this point I would not recommend any products from Thetford. I have had very little in customer support from them despite multiple emails.

 

Rod

[WeBeFulltimers]

Will probably be the way I go. Still waiting on Thetford to get back to me from an email I sent several days ago.

 

Thank you for your reply

 

Rod

 

In order to be worry free do this! I installed the Dometic 320 with sprayer about 3 months and it works GREAT. $189 delivered from PPL. Elongated bowl is also much better.