Toilet bolt rusted out--ideas??

[cosmo9404]

Just took the toilet out of our 1966 Carvel and discovered that the base and the bolt holding it on are rusted out (see picture); one of the bolts disintigrated. Does this mean we have to replace the black water tank too? Or is the bolt just for the toilet? How does the base connect to the fiberglass? Basically, we aren't sure what we're getting into here.

[Dwight]

cosmo,
The setup they use is very similar to what you have in your house. If the existing flange is usable, then just clean it up and use new bolts from your favorite local home improvement store. If the flange is bad as well, you should be able to find one that is a match to what you have.

[cosmo9404]

That's a relief! The less exposure I have to toilet repair, the better.

[Dwight]

The rusty flange most likely came from a leaking foam seal that joins the toilet to the pipe. When you install the toilet, spray the new foam seal with silicone all over so it will slip and not bunch up and be a future leak.

[Darol Ingalls]

Cosmo, Before you go any further, run over to Curtis Trailers in Beaverton and check out the replacement flanges. The flange screws into the holding tank. Chances are the steel flange in your photo is rusted to the point that it will break out around the new bolts. You should replace it. Worst case in removing the old one: use a hack saw blade to cut through the steel flange in three places being VERY careful no to cut into the threads on the tank. Remove the sections, clean the threads and install the new plastic flange. Use pipe thread sealant on the threads. If you are very lucky, you may be able to unscrew the steel flange without cutting. You can try tapping it in the counter-clockwise direction with a block of wood and hammer, but don't get carried away and damage the plastic threads on the tank. Be sure to get a new rubber gasket that fits your toilet. Instead of silicone, I use vasiline to help seal the gasket - don't care to fool with old silicone when it comes time to do the job again! Good luck. Darol

[Dwight]

Darol,
When i installed my first toilet a few years back, I called Thetford and asked if they had any hints on the installation. They said to spray the seal with silicone spray and to not use vaseline. Maybe they have changed, but that is what they told me about 6 years ago.

[Darol Ingalls]

Silicone spray may be OK, but not the goop in the tube.

[overlander63]

What you would be looking for is called an RV closet flange, you can get it from Ace Hardware for about $5. Ours unscrewed from the top of the black tank, and the new one screwed back in its place. New ones are made from PVC.