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bilby05 · 01-16-2008, 04:09 PM

The toilet in our '69 has developed a leak. The water "appears" on the floor after flushing. Looks like clean water so I think it is a leaky valve of some sort, rather than an "exaust" leak. The toilet is a Thetford Aqua Magic 1800 and looks like the original. Since I have been doing major plumbing, because of another busted pipe, I decided that I need to remove it to work on connections anyway. I noticed that the connection between the top ceramic part and the plastic base is wobbley so maybe it is just in need of a new gasket and tightening, if that is possible. Anyone have experience with purchasing or fabricating parts or gaskets for a toilet that old? Been looking at new toilets too. New ones that are ceramic and plastic are rather costly, but I do like the idea of being able to have a taller toilet.
thanks, bill b.

lewster · 01-16-2008, 05:56 PM

Parts are tough to find for older toilets, and you just ner know when it will have a final breakdown. I would replace it now with a new unit to your liking and not worry about it again for a long time.

IMHO, restorations are great, but there comes a point wher you want to derive enjoyment from your trailer, and this is one area that you don't want to be thinking about constantly.

Lumatic · 01-16-2008, 06:14 PM

ditto

Kajtek1 · 01-16-2008, 07:39 PM

Replace the toilet because of bad gasket?
How about replacing the trailer because of flat tire?
Most of gaskets can be manufactured on the bench. You need to take in apart and see what material and shape it is. Wax gasket can be shaped to anything, rubber piece can be cut, neoprene caulk seals almost everything.

lewster · 01-16-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kajtek1

Replace the toilet because of bad gasket?
How about replacing the trailer because of flat tire?
Most of gaskets can be manufactured on the bench. You need to take in apart and see what material and shape it is. Wax gasket can be shaped to anything, rubber piece can be cut, neoprene caulk seals almost everything.

Not a leaking gasket.................but a possible water valve leak or IMHO, supply line leak. Floor gaskets are no big deal, I replace them on an almost daily basis......but if you have to spend much time and $$$$$ just to find a replacement water valve, install it, re-install the toilet, and then find that you have a leak somewhere else in the toilet...it is a waste of time for me.

If you have that kind of time to putter for days on end to repair your 45+ year old toilet that you are going to be using with any frequency AND DEPEND ON IT....good for you. There are many things to work on when doing a restoration, and IMHO, an aging, leaking toilet is not one of them...YMMV!

Perhaps a closer reading of post #1 would be in order?

Fyrzowt · 01-16-2008, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kajtek1

Replace the toilet because of bad gasket?
How about replacing the trailer because of flat tire?
Most of gaskets can be manufactured on the bench. You need to take in apart and see what material and shape it is. Wax gasket can be shaped to anything, rubber piece can be cut, neoprene caulk seals almost everything.

IMO, it really depends on the condition of the toilet, and your level of comfort with a unit of that age.
You really need to look at the whole thing - is the linkage rusting and ready to fail? What is the overall condition, etc.
Yes, gaskets are easy but I tend to agree with the other two responses based on what the linkage on my '72 looked like before I replaced it.
If everything looks tip-top then I would probably just do a gskt.
Dave

overlander63 · 01-16-2008, 08:03 PM

I tried replying to this thread earlier, but my internet connection wouldn't cooperate.
We replaced our toilet for the same reason, and got a new, nicer, not-smelly toilet for $150, including base gasket.

GreatPumpkin · 01-16-2008, 08:05 PM

A couple links for you to check out your options. Depending on what needs replaced and the cost of the part(s) may help in making the decision. My Sealand was easy and inexpensive to replace all the seals. I didn't need it, but the valve on mine would have only been $36.

TOILETS for RV Thetford, SeaLand, Valterra

RV Surplus

GO-RV.com - RV On-line Catalog

Low Priced Plumbing and Accessories from Big Discount RV

RV LifeStyles

Traveler® Parts

carnegie1935 · 01-16-2008, 10:26 PM

I have repaired my old thedford toilet with good results. I repaired one in my daughters SOB in 2000 and instaled a riser . It is still working great. It was the plastic vacuum breaker that was cracked. The toilet in my AS Mh developed a leak where the sprayer hose connected to the input line. I decided to purchase a new tall model rather than repair. When I removed the old toilet and started to install the new one I discovered that the bolt down placement was different. I debated changing position of the metal ring but decided to leave well enough alone. I took the new cammode back and bought the repair kits and a riser platform . I replaced all gaskets amd the floor seal. I am very pleased with it now. My old toilet was in good condition. It wasn't stained and the seat was still in good condition. I got the riser and repair kits for less than $80.00. from my local rv parts retailer.

Kay

bilby05 · 01-17-2008, 03:49 PM

Hi,
Good ideas! Next step, since I have to remove the toilet anyway, is to remove the toilet and take it apart. I like the idea of avoiding future problems by purchasing a new one, but being a close to retirement school teacher, finances are a strong consideration. But...keeping in mind that "good money follows bad'...I imagine that after I have removed the toilet it will become more apparant what needs to be done. In the past my innate stubborness has given me the experience of "fixing" things to a point that the cost exceeded what a new "thing" would have cost. :-)
thanks to all,
bill b.

JimGolden · 01-17-2008, 03:57 PM

I replaced my old one with a brand new ceramic SeaLand from Dometic. I've never looked back. I like it better than the old plastic one. This is vitreous china just like a house one.

I got mine cheap from some place in Indiana...the name escapes me, but I think Lewster may have posted the name in a thread a year or two ago. Palomino parts maybe? Sorry I can't remember...the guys there were really nice. They sent me one and UPS destroyed it (china does not compress much). I called them up and told them about it, they immediately put another one into a wooden crate and sent it out right to me. They took up the fight with UPS for the old one.

Good luck!

overlander63 · 01-17-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bilby05

Hi,
Good ideas! Next step, since I have to remove the toilet anyway, is to remove the toilet and take it apart. I like the idea of avoiding future problems by purchasing a new one, but being a close to retirement school teacher, finances are a strong consideration. But...keeping in mind that "good money follows bad'...I imagine that after I have removed the toilet it will become more apparant what needs to be done. In the past my innate stubborness has given me the experience of "fixing" things to a point that the cost exceeded what a new "thing" would have cost. :-)
thanks to all,
bill b.

Not to try to steer you towards it, but I have learned over the past decades that:
1-the first loss is the best loss, you may be pouring money down your black tank with the old toilet.
2-if you can't afford a new toilet now, how will you ever afford one after you retire, and it breaks again for good?
Sometimes, a piece of equipment is beyond economical repair, even if the repair part is cheap. You can look down the road and see that parts are slowly going to become unavailable, at least with a new one, you should have a parts chain for at least another ten years.
Oh, and that new Thetford Style china toilet sure is comfy...

lewster · 01-17-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bilby05

Hi,
Good ideas! Next step, since I have to remove the toilet anyway, is to remove the toilet and take it apart. I like the idea of avoiding future problems by purchasing a new one, but being a close to retirement school teacher, finances are a strong consideration. But...keeping in mind that "good money follows bad'...I imagine that after I have removed the toilet it will become more apparant what needs to be done. In the past my innate stubborness has given me the experience of "fixing" things to a point that the cost exceeded what a new "thing" would have cost. :-)
thanks to all,
bill b.

If you are hell-bent on restoration, an easy way to tell what is wrong is:

After removing the toilet, take it outside, elevate it and connect a water source (garden hose) to it. This will allow you to see exactly where the leak or leaks are, and you can then make an educated decision about whether to repair/replace the unit.

BillTex · 01-17-2008, 07:57 PM

I'll jump in as I was just tackling this situation myself today; Aquamagic Starlite free to good home (has leaky vacuum break) replaced with beautiful (?) SeaLand Traveler Lite china bowl...

Shoot me a PM...you can have it ('course it needs repair also...)

Bill

Fyrzowt · 01-17-2008, 08:04 PM

Sounds like two leaky ones now...

flitzwhopper · 01-17-2008, 08:10 PM

The aqua magic in the Argosy was easy to rebuild. The whole thing came apart and was easy to refurbish. A replacement would have been a lot more work.
The reason I dug into it was a little washer in the back on what looked like a mechanism to pass water into the toilet after flushing was jamed in the air relief at the top. Fixed that and generally went through it. I rigged up a connector for my garden hose so I could test it and after it was up to snuff I reinstalled it. It works fine.
I'd do it again if I had to.

bilby05 · 01-19-2008, 02:35 PM

Removed the toilet today. Not really too bad a job, once you soak the bolts with a rust softener. (almost a stool softener, but not quite) Found it to be in better shape than I expected. The thick rubber ring seal has seen better days, but does not seem to have leaked. The metal flange is quite rusty. Enough that I first thought it was plastic cracked to pieces. Turned out to be enamel cracking off the metal surface. The metal flange appears to be attached to the tank opening with screws, or phillips head bolts. I plan to remove the ceramic bowl from the plastic base next. Gotta get the wife to help on that one. Someone has to catch the springs that are likely to pop out when the two are separated. Possibly take action photos to track them back to where they go. :-) I really would like to keep the original toilet, it being ceramic, but there are certainly advantages to new ones. I could get the tall one without having to add a spacer. The new ceramic ones are rather costly. The saga continues.
cheers, bill b.

apexdc · 01-12-2012, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bilby05

Removed the toilet today. Not really too bad a job, once you soak the bolts with a rust softener. (almost a stool softener, but not quite) Found it to be in better shape than I expected. The thick rubber ring seal has seen better days, but does not seem to have leaked. The metal flange is quite rusty. Enough that I first thought it was plastic cracked to pieces. Turned out to be enamel cracking off the metal surface. The metal flange appears to be attached to the tank opening with screws, or phillips head bolts. I plan to remove the ceramic bowl from the plastic base next. Gotta get the wife to help on that one. Someone has to catch the springs that are likely to pop out when the two are separated. Possibly take action photos to track them back to where they go. :-) I really would like to keep the original toilet, it being ceramic, but there are certainly advantages to new ones. I could get the tall one without having to add a spacer. The new ceramic ones are rather costly. The saga continues.
cheers, bill b.

So then what happened?????

Need to replace the exact same model in my 68!