Electra magic 80 main housing seal leak

[Kevinandvicki]

Hi all,

The main housing seal part #35781 is leaking. I can find a replacement from a site with sketchy reviews. Pdxrvwholesale.com. Anyone have a diy solution they have used?

[Bill]

If I recall, the seal is kind of a long thin string of rubber. Although the string itself forms a long circle, the cross-section (the shape of the string) is not round. It must be inserted carefully into the track, so the cross-section is oriented to fit the track, proper side up, not twisted. Is yours broken? Is it squashed out of shape? Is it twisted? Is the groove into which you install the string clean? Is the underside of the seat in this area clean and smooth? Note that the string must stay properly oriented as you lower the seat onto it and fasten it down.

Occasionally you will see someone here on the Forum offering his Thetford for sale. If your string is broken or deformed, you might send him/her a note, saying that if no one buys the toilet, you would like to buy the string.

I never heard of Pdxrvwholesale.com, so I can't offer any opinions.

Bill

[ShrimpBurrito]

Isn't that just some c-channel silicone or silicone? If so, you might be able to find something on McMaster:

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/c-...rial~rubber-1/

Dave

[Shane826]

It’s a C-shaped strip of rubber. And it’s a total PITA because it’s all folded up in the shrink wrap so it doesn’t want to go straight where you want it to go straight. Do-able, but definitely easier with two people.

Let me see if I can find where I got the one I replaced last fall from.

[Shane826]

They are readily available in the UK, depending on how long you can wait…

https://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/p...g-35781-t35781

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Shane826

It’s a C-shaped strip of rubber. And it’s a total PITA because it’s all folded up in the shrink wrap so it doesn’t want to go straight where you want it to go straight.

Would soaking it a bit in hot water help?

Bill

[Bill]

KevinAndVicki -

Could you supply a picture that clearly shows the shape of the cross-section? That might give us some ideas.

I also notice that the English picture shows that it is one long piece of rubber with two ends, rather than a single piece molded in a circle. In that case, where you put the ends will be important. With the top off your toilet, put in enough water to run the pump, and flush it. Note the places where no water would impact the joint.

Bill

[ShrimpBurrito]

You can see a bit of the cross section in this image from that UK vendor. It's definitely just a long piece, with 2 ends. I've replaced/reinstalled it before, and I think I just put the end at the back of the toilet that is up against the wall.

Dave

[Kevinandvicki]

Thanks all for the help.

[ShrimpBurrito]

Do take note of the orientation of the seal before you take the old one off. I seem to recall one of the parts of the "C" is different than the other, and intended to be on the inside or outside.

Dave