Should toilet bowl hold water?

[thiel]

I just gave this a sizable going over. There is a rather large gap between the gasket and the white cover. On the side opposite from the handle, maybe the 16th or more of open space. This is a brand-new toilet in a brand-new trailer.

Is that kind of gap possible to make up I just lubricating the seal? Or is this a larger problem do you think?

[JCWDCW]

Windshield washer fluid is not ethylene glycol based. WW fluid contains isopropyl alcohol and maybe some methanol in the cheap stuff. Ethylene glycol would smear
JCW

[JCWDCW]

Originally Posted by thiel

I just gave this a sizable going over. There is a rather large gap between the gasket and the white cover. On the side opposite from the handle, maybe the 16th or more of open space. This is a brand-new toilet in a brand-new trailer.

Is that kind of gap possible to make up I just lubricating the seal? Or is this a larger problem do you think?

Sounds like the gasket is improperly installed or has pulled out of its groove. Maybe it got stuck on the valve and pulled away
JCW

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by thiel

I just gave this a sizable going over. There is a rather large gap between the gasket and the white cover. On the side opposite from the handle, maybe the 16th or more of open space. This is a brand-new toilet in a brand-new trailer.

Is that kind of gap possible to make up I just lubricating the seal? Or is this a larger problem do you think?

Does your foot pedal move the gasket to the point of closing (you need to slide your foot off it quickly to engage it in snapping back to close)? That was the problem I had with mine. The valve wouldn't close - at least a half inch of open space. Apparently a plastic part in the pedal mechanism and they said it was not repairable. They sent me a replacement toilet.

I can't say whether that's your issue but if it is, you'll need to replace the toilet - and again, it's an easy job if someone like me can do it...

[SusanFleck]

We had our 2016 Classic for less than 6 months when we noticed a slight crack in the ball (valve seal). And then we started noticing smells. As we were in the middle of camping season we tried to repair the crack ourselves but couldn't and it would not hold water.

After the season we took it back to JC for some warranty work and they simply replaced the toilet.

While at JC we talked to someone and they said AS will often just replace parts and appliances and they recommended going dumpster diving to pick up spare parts! It was kind of funny, but they are serious!

[thiel]

At the risk of exceeding the limits of forum etiquette, here's a photo of my can!

If you look at the left side of the seal, you can see a bit of shadow there... there is actually a GAP between the black seal and the white cap/valve that comes up underneath.

Does this look fixable with lube? Or do y'all think this is a more serious issue.

I would say it IS likely that the bowl did not have antifreeze in it all winter... but I think that's mostly because it was never holding water..

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by n2916s

Try a few ounces of plain old vegetable oil from the pantry. Water off, oil in, work the valve a few times...

+1
If mine sat for a while it drained. I'd put a few tablespoons of cooking oil in and it would again hold water.

Originally Posted by Lumatic

Or you could use a toothbrush. Tie a string to it so if you drop it in you can retrieve it and not have to buy a new one.

"Honey I've got good news and bad news. The good news is I saved your toothbrush."

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

+1
If mine sat for a while it drained. I'd put a few tablespoons of cooking oil in and it would again hold water.
. . .

Vegetable oil may have worked to "gum up the works" and let the toilet hold water, but it is not a good long-term solution IMO. There are products intended for this purpose.

See Post #13 here:

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Definitely recommend not using any vegetable oil for this or most other lubrication projects, depending. It will dry out and leave a gummy residue over time, especially after repeated applications.

Like putting linseed oil on antique furniture.



How about this stuff intended for RV toilet seals?

https://www.amazon.com/Thetford-Toil.../dp/B002NSU0ZW

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by thiel

. . .
If you look at the left side of the seal, you can see a bit of shadow there... there is actually a GAP between the black seal and the white cap/valve that comes up underneath.

Does this look fixable with lube? Or do y'all think this is a more serious issue.

I would say it IS likely that the bowl did not have antifreeze in it all winter... but I think that's mostly because it was never holding water..

In my opinion, you are overthinking this. You probably have a defective toilet and it needs to be replaced, in your brand new Airstream.

The absence of AF likely did not cause the problem over just a few months in a new unit. Are you going south soon down the Eastern Shore, as you asked about in that other thread? Make an appt. to have Colonial look at the toilet, and maybe swap in a new one under warranty. You will be going right by them.

Vegetable oil may clog up the leak temporarily, but this "Bandaid" is only a good idea short-term IMO, if you are definitely going to replace the toilet. I would try the Dometic solution linked in recent posts.

BTW is this a porcelain toilet?

Good luck!

Peter

PS -- I posted some CT/LI/NYC/NJ ferry info. for you on that other thread.

[thiel]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

In my opinion, you are overthinking this. You probably have a defective toilet and it needs to be replaced, in your brand new Airstream.

The absence of AF likely did not cause the problem over just a few months in a new unit. Are you going south soon down the Eastern Shore, as you asked about in that other thread? Make an appt. to have Colonial look at the toilet, and maybe swap in a new one under warranty. You will be going right by them.

Vegetable oil may clog up the leak temporarily, but this "Bandaid" is only a good idea short-term IMO, if you are definitely going to replace the toilet. I would try the Dometic solution linked in recent posts.

BTW is this a porcelain toilet?

Good luck!

Peter

PS -- I posted some CT/LI/NYC/NJ ferry info. for you on that other thread.

Thanks Peter you are probably right. Might try to get them to ship it to me so I can install myself.

Yup porcelain toilet.

[WhereStream]

I recently had the same problem on my 2016 Airstream. Just as thiel's photo shows, there was a slight gap on one side. The seal wasn't centered as it should be.

I cleaned the seal, but that didn't help. Still held water a little while, but in a few hours it would be drained away.

Got some toilet-seal lube ... I dunno, some kind of snake oil, I guess ... did nothing.

I figured I would have to replace the seal. On some new toilets, this is easier than others (at least this is my understanding). On the easy ones, you simply reach in (with gloved hand!) and pluck out the offending part. On the not-so-easy ones, which it appears I have, you have to take off the top of the two-piece toilet to do the job. Bummer.

While fiddling around with the toilet, trying to figure out how to take off the upper half, I noticed I could slide the top half a bit left or right. Hmmm ... maybe I could get a better seal.


So I nudged it. Then nudged it again. Finally got it centered up. Took a few tries, but now ... holds water fine.

So there is hope, thiel, that you can get the seal working as it should without a lot of fuss. I hope this nudge solution works for you.

[thiel]

Originally Posted by WhereStream

I recently had the same problem on my 2016 Airstream. Just as thiel's photo shows, there was a slight gap on one side. The seal wasn't centered as it should be.

I cleaned the seal, but that didn't help. Still held water a little while, but in a few hours it would be drained away.

Got some toilet-seal lube ... I dunno, some kind of snake oil, I guess ... did nothing.

I figured I would have to replace the seal. On some new toilets, this is easier than others (at least this is my understanding). On the easy ones, you simply reach in (with gloved hand!) and pluck out the offending part. On the not-so-easy ones, which it appears I have, you have to take off the top of the two-piece toilet to do the job. Bummer.

While fiddling around with the toilet, trying to figure out how to take off the upper half, I noticed I could slide the top half a bit left or right. Hmmm ... maybe I could get a better seal.


So I nudged it. Then nudged it again. Finally got it centered up. Took a few tries, but now ... holds water fine.

So there is hope, thiel, that you can get the seal working as it should without a lot of fuss. I hope this nudge solution works for you.

Thanks for the report. I have it scheduled to go into a local RV place tomorrow for a possible Dometic warranty replacement. We'll see what they say.

I'm happy to report that we've been using the trailer despite this issue, and although the stink is clearly present it's not been terrible.

[1973Argosy]

Originally Posted by thiel

Thanks for the report. I have it scheduled to go into a local RV place tomorrow for a possible Dometic warranty replacement. We'll see what they say.

I'm happy to report that we've been using the trailer despite this issue, and although the stink is clearly present it's not been terrible.

Sewer gases are pretty noxious, you may consider keeping a top vent open or a window cracked for good ventilation until repair is made. Don't run your exhaust fans as it will pull more smell and gas from the tank.

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Correct but be careful with what type of antifreeze. Do not use alcohol based RV Plumbing winterizer as it will dry out the seal; but instead use a -40 or so windshield washer fluid that is Ethylene glycol based.

Funny thing is, yesterday my wife stormed into the house swearing that someone had pee'd in the AS loo. I told her that I had seen a racoon around during the winter. I use a yellow coloured Rain-X washer fluid.

Cheers
Tony

I used to use a no name RV anti-freeze till I found that one spring the rubber bladder that helps pressurize the water flush on my SOB's toilet had turned into a blob of mush. From that time on I have stuck to using Prestone RV anti-freeze. I've never had an issue since. Costs a few bucks more than no name products but the quality is always there.

Jack

[thiel]

Originally Posted by 1973Argosy

Sewer gases are pretty noxious, you may consider keeping a top vent open or a window cracked for good ventilation until repair is made. Don't run your exhaust fans as it will pull more smell and gas from the tank.

Yup... that's exactly what we found.

[pmclemore]

I sometimes need to place my foot under the pedal and lift up a little. That has solved it for me.

My main complaint with the porcelain toilet is that there is no lip at the top - so if there is more than just a little when you are traveling, it will slosh out.

Pat

[thiel]

Thanks for the help everyone. Looks like the whole toilet is going to be replaced under warranty.

[thiel]

Took it to a "regular" RV dealer and they were able to replace it under warranty, no charge at all. Pleased!