Thetford Leak

**JonS55** · 11-16-2007, 07:59 AM

I'm back down in the Everglades and I charged my Thetford 80 and it leaked. I emptied it out and tried again and it was fine for a while and then leaked again. Does this mean there's a gasket or something I have to replace? My TM is s 1996.

I saw a thread about removing the unit in this section but couldn't find the archived details. Thanks

**Bill** · 11-16-2007, 08:34 AM

Jon -

There is some info in the TM Technical Reference Library (aka TM Info You Won't Find Anywhere Else). Removing the toilet from the floor is an annoying chore, but not hard. There is a big gasket where the toilet seals to the floor that may need to be replaced, especially if it was installed crooked. This gasket is NOT available from hardware or plumbing supply stores, but is readily available in RV stores and dealers.

Tell us more about the leak. Does blue water appear on the floor? Leak from the outside of the TM? Or do you mean a different kind of leak - even though the valve is closed, blue water gradually leaks past the valve and down into the 3" discharge pipe, so that you get a splash when you take the cover off the end of the pipe?

Bill

**JonS55** · 11-16-2007, 09:54 AM

Bill, thanks for getting back to me. I have blue water leaking out from where the base meets the floor.

**Bill** · 11-16-2007, 10:22 AM

In that case, you need to pull up the toilet. Sorry. Most likely the big foam donut washer that seals the toilet to the floor was either misinstalled at some point, or has gotten crushed and is no longer resilient enough to spring back into shape. In ten years, that can happen. A new donut washer is about $5, so not a big deal. If you find big globs of clear silicone sealer, remove that, too.

The donut is formally known as a Flange Seal, and is Thetford part number 24304. You can download (and print?) the manual in PDF form from the Thetford web site, and you can see the donut on page 7 of this manual.

Let us know how this works out.

Bill

**JonS55** · 11-16-2007, 11:17 AM

Bill, thanks again. I'll see if the RV dealers in Naples has the flange.

**JonS55** · 12-18-2007, 03:22 PM

Bill, I want to compliment you on your instructions. The toilet was very easy to fix. I waited for a cool day and did it yesterday. It actually took me more time to clear out the fridge and my shelving (where the other bench seat is) so I could disconnect the battery, then to do the job.
The only glitch I had was the 1-11/32. My floor is warped a bit and I made an aluminum angle brace for the front posts. It's working great. Thanks again.