Dometic Toilet Caution

[Kota]

The PO replaced the toilet in my RV with a Dometic SC 310 chair height about 3 years ago. After our spring trip I gave it a good cleaning. In prepping for our fall trip I stepped on the flush pedal and the gate (ball) valve in the bottom of the bowl didn't move. The rubber seal was dry from the cleaning and stuck to the gate valve causing two tiny tabs to shear off the shaft that connects it to the pedal. Awe poop! After three successful stops at RV shops and online searching, a call to a very nice customer support at Dometic confirmed that the part is not individually available. Everything else is but not that part. I have to buy a new toilet. Awe crap!!!

Unavailability of this key part makes the toilet very fragile. If you clean it make sure you re lubricate the valve and seal before you step on the pedal. Especially if its going into storage. Carefully operate the pedal by hand after periods of non use to make sure its not sticking. You wont even realize these little tabs sheared off until you notice that the valve didn't open.

[Bluto]

Thanks for that info. I have the 310 and will lube as needed.

[cwf]

Lube.... Mineral oil?

[Bluto]

I think that would work, so might some Vasoline (real thin coating).

[Aage]

Thetford makes a product that is intended for use as a winterization product. It's a thick fluid you squirt into the bowl, which, if your valve doesn't leak, will coat and seal it for the winter.

Works great, sells for about $7 a bottle, IIRC and if you use it as per their directions, will last one year (they say to use it more often than just as a winterization protectant).

Great investment. I mean, who wants to work on their toilet?

[Phoenix]

Waterproof plumber's grease would probably work best, because it won't wash off.

Danco Perfect Match: Silicone Grease - Amazon.com

Amazon.com: Rectorseal 50811 2-Ounce Plumbers Grease: Home Improvement


Also, you might try an occasional spraying with aerosol "Teflon" mentioned in other threads on AirForums.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f475...ml#post1352274

[Kota]

Or eating more bacon! Sorry!

Just ordered a new toilet from PPL $134!

[is.chowa]

Durnnnn!!!! Wish shuda read this before ordering the 310. Gonna try and cancel. Maybe they should listen?

Steve

[Kota]

Originally Posted by is.chowa

Durnnnn!!!! Wish shuda read this before ordering the 310. Gonna try and cancel. Maybe they should listen? Steve

I like the unit and think you will be ok if you are aware of the potential problem.

I am disappointed with Dometic. I pushed a bit to see if I could get them to offer the part and got a pretty surly NO! 2 years, original owner they will cover it. Outside of that, buy a new one. They don't seem to support older appliances. Parts are not available for my 1995 refrig.

[cwf]

Originally Posted by Dakota

I like the unit and think you will be ok if you are aware of the potential problem. I am disappointed with Dometic. I pushed a bit to see if I could get them to offer the part and got a pretty surly NO! 2 years, original owner they will cover it. Outside of that, buy a new one. They don't seem to support older appliances. Parts are not available for my 1995 refrig.

So, buy extra moving parts for the moving parts to service your moving parts? Yup

[is.chowa]

Dakota: Did they not have the part for sale? Seems if they warranty the unit for 2 years it should be available. Maybe planned obsolescence?

Steve

[Kota]

Originally Posted by is.chowa

Dakota: Did they not have the part for sale? Seems if they warranty the unit for 2 years it should be available. Maybe planned obsolescence? Steve

From Dometic: David- That part on a 310 is not available by itself, you would need to get a new toilet....sorry! Thank you Then I asked if there was any way they could submit a request to make this simple part available: Mr. ...... I do apologize, but it is just not available by itself. You can give Sealand a call to see what they say if you'd like 1 800 321 9886. Thank you! Called Sealand and was told that it wasn't covered under warranty because it was over 2 years old and regardless, I am not the original purchaser. Have to buy a new toilet as that part is not available individually or as a subassembly.

[dznf0g]

Thanks for the heads up. I think the valve is covered, when new, with plumbers silicone paste. I have reapplied once in the year or so that I have had it. Plumbers silicone seems to stick well and last for at least a year.

[ventport]

That's a great reason not to buy the same one for a replacement. When a manufacturer makes key parts unavailable so you have to buy the whole thing, I always buy another brand. And I try not to do business with that company. Which may be hard with Dometic as they make lots of RV parts that we all use.

[Kota]

Originally Posted by ventport

That's a great reason not to buy the same one for a replacement. When a manufacturer makes key parts unavailable so you have to buy the whole thing, I always buy another brand. And I try not to do business with that company. Which may be hard with Dometic as they make lots of RV parts that we all use.

I really kicked that around and checked out several other toilets. I really like the Dometic 310. The height, elongated bowl, the way it fits in the space, flush system... Everything but the problem I had which I think I can avoid in the future. I might write them a strongly worded letter!

[Phoenix]

Not sure, but I think our 2005, 19-foot Bambi has a Thetford toilet in it. We have had several boats that all had Thetford toilets; and they seem to be reliable, with replacement parts infrequently needed, but widely available.

Hopefully, I won't need to replace the toilet in our Bambi for many years. However, if and when I do, I will probably look at Thetford first, for a replacement.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by Dakota

The PO replaced the toilet in my RV with a Dometic SC 310 chair height about 3 years ago. After our spring trip I gave it a good cleaning. In prepping for our fall trip I stepped on the flush pedal and the gate (ball) valve in the bottom of the bowl didn't move. The rubber seal was dry from the cleaning and stuck to the gate valve causing two tiny tabs to shear off the shaft that connects it to the pedal. Awe poop! After three successful stops at RV shops and online searching, a call to a very nice customer support at Dometic confirmed that the part is not individually available. Everything else is but not that part. I have to buy a new toilet. Awe crap!!!

Unavailability of this key part makes the toilet very fragile. If you clean it make sure you re lubricate the valve and seal before you step on the pedal. Especially if its going into storage. Carefully operate the pedal by hand after periods of non use to make sure its not sticking. You wont even realize these little tabs sheared off until you notice that the valve didn't open.

I can't tell a lot from your photos, but before I'd throw out the whole toilet, I'd try JB Welding those tabs back in place and see if it wouldn't fix it.

[Kota]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I can't tell a lot from your photos, but before I'd throw out the whole toilet, I'd try JB Welding those tabs back in place and see if it wouldn't fix it.

I'm pretty creative on fixes like that. Couldn't come up with a good solution that would be less hassle than the options. I considered machining a stud with the dogs out of PVC, boring out the arm, and cementing it in and boring a hole all the way through the pedal and valve. The part is pretty flimsy as is. It would be pretty crappy if it failed on the road. The bone colored one on order will look better than the white one that broke anyway. I'll keep the old one round for parts and maybe fix it for my parents camper.

[Kota]

Tried out an idea for a fix. Bottom line, it's made out of a very chemically resistant material. Probably a polyethylene plastic. Nothing will stick to it. Not epoxy (JB Weld) or vinyl solvents for bonding PVC. Have to wait for the new crapper. Hope to salvage a bit of a fall color tour.

[Kota]

PPL came through. The new toilet arrived today. $127 + $10 shipping.