Thetford dump valve

Has anyone had issues with the Thetford dump valve? I use only Thetford products in the toilet ands still have to replace The dump valve every 2 years at $40.00 a pop. Thetford Customer Service is useless, They have no cue on these toilets. We've gotten so good at changing them out I now can do it in 15 minutes! The valve feels like it's pushed in all the way, but it takes longer to charge and the tell-tale whoosh isn't there when you pull the toilet valve.We use our TM this past weekend and sure enough the valve was screwed up. The rubber doesn't allow the slider to close completely.

Thanks

Mikeyy1953

[wbmiller3]

When I push the valve closed it goes 80% of the way and then kinda clicks into place. I always wondered if it was supposed to be doing that. But, have not noticed any leaks yet.

[Speckul8r]

At least we know who to ask for directions on how to do it!!

Mines about like Bill's. Has gotten a shade stiffer since the beginning but no leakage.

Now that you mention it, I think that mine is a little stiffer to pull out than it was when it was new a year ago. I'm always nervous about the plastic T handle pulling off of the metal rod.

I have experienced a lack of "swoosh" a couple of times when preparing to dump. I think the valve doesn't close all the way on occasion although it looks to be closed. I have found that some Thetford drain valve lubricant helps with both the inside valve and the outside dump valve, which is often hard to close after dumping.
Cheri

[RickNewcomb]

I'm on my third dump valve gasket. The dealer has replaced it twiced. The first gasket lasted about three years and the second lasted two years. For both gaskets, he said the rubber gasket was destorted preventing the valve from sealing. He said the gasket looked like it was breaking down. One theory he had that it might be the antifreeze I'm adding during winterization. So, last winter I didn't add antifreeze to the toilet. So far the gasket is still working. Last weekend I still had the woosh sound. But it has only been a little more than a year since it was last replaced. Only time will tell if his theory is correct.

[Joesjunk]

I had a kink in the valve on my toilet. Looks like something got caught between the dump valve and the seal.
Since I purchased my TM used last year, I have no idea how old the valve is. I replaced it and it works great. When I replaced it, the seal looked good except for the kink. That was where mine was leaking.

Rick,
Your dealer is right the gasket gets distorted, but NOT from using antifreeze-I never use it in the toilet. It seems like the gasket is a bad design especially after a few years of use. At first I thought it was because we had our TM set up at a park with the toilet charged..That wasn't the problem.Thetford as I stated earlier has no clue on the issue.

Good Luck Hopefully this gasket will last longer.

Mike

[RickNewcomb]

Originally Posted by rtcassel

Could the pipe leading to the external valve get filled when charging the Thetford with water and chemicals, remain undisturbed when the Thetford is flushed, and thus form a "valve" (sort-of)?

In my case, the pipe leading to the external valve would get filled. When the leak was slow I would notice after the charge that the toilet wouldn't flush because enough had leaked into the pipe. When I realize the valve was leaking I changed my procedure for charging the toilet. I would just open the valve and start filling with water and no chemical. When the level indicator started moving, I would close the valve and add the chemical. By filling this way I felt like less of the chemical was getting into the pipe leading to the external valve.

Originally Posted by mikeyy1953

Your dealer is right the gasket gets distorted, but NOT from using antifreeze-I never use it in the toilet.

Thanks Mike for the info that you don't use antifreeze. I guess it rules out that theory.

Originally Posted by miachia

What exactly are you guys talking about?

The leak we are experiencing is from the valve at the base of the toilet. The toilet would leak into the discharge pipe and fill it. For me, none leaked into the trailer. Also, I don't travel with the toilet charged except to the dump station.

What exactly are you guys talking about? The reason I am asking is we have had some issues with a leaking toilet. We found out the toilet was not down correctly and fixed that no leaks on our way to Big Bear, saran wrap over the bowl to prevent water from coming out. On our way home not a lot of leaking just enough coming from under the toilet to make the carpet in front of the door quite damp. It did not spill from the bowl! BUT from the base of the toilet. Can anyone help?