Thetford Aqua-Magic Plus won't stop

[djbcs]

This toilet has a pedal flush system that does not want to return to its closed position. Often times I find the bowl is filling with water. I have used silicon on what I can see are the moving parts and it works for awhile but has to be watched continually. I have no documents that indicate how to remove/replace any parts that may be causing this. I have talked to the Thetford people and they say we'll send a replacement kit for all the moving parts for $$$. Is there anyone our there that has experienced this problem with this model 42054 before.
Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[falconhunter]

I changed out my Thetford style 2 toilet for a Dometic 510H. I had nothing but trouble with the Thetford and it was only two years old! It almost overflowed 3 times in two years but luckily I caught it every time. I changed the valve kit twice in the two years. When I put the new toilet in I used a chrome valve so I could shut the water off to the toilet if there is ever a problem again and installed a braided steel flex supply line. I searched the internet for problems with the Thetford and found lots of posts for the overflow problem. The Dometic had the same footprint and also had two extra screws in the back for added stability. The worst part was when I was removing the old toilet from the RV. Every time I tilted it water came out from in between the bowl and the pedestal. The seal had been leaking and the top of the pedestal was full of nasty water. It was disgusting. I'm so glad I changed out the toilet.

 

[djbcs]

Thanks for that info on the replacement. I thought I was the only one with problems.
I suppose there isn't a recall on them...no such luck.
don

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

If the ball is not returning properly, it sounds as though you need a new return spring. Or perhaps the ball seal is dirty enough to inhibit the normal return action.

There is a parts diagram in the manual. You can download from the Thetford site if you don't have it, and you can also view the service parts list there. Here is the link to the Aqua Magic Plus info, including the manual download:
http://www.thetford.com/HOME/PARTS/PermanentToilets/AquaMagicStyle/tabid/562/Default.aspx

 

[djbcs]

Thanks Gary. I have seen this before and like before I could not understand what they were saying and how the pics fit with words. Sorry...I am used to a more detailed manual for each configuration without guessing if this or that is what they mean.
I have put silicon on the ball-valve and where the foot assembly enters the base of the the toilet. That works for a bit but how they can sell these and expect owners like myself to understand what they mean is beyond me. I'm sure there are others who feel the same about Thetford and their documentation.

 

[Motor1]

Had my 3rd one in same park today, same complaint, same results. First one flooded so bad that water was running out patio door on a park model, and second one was about 6 mos. old , and only started second season.  Now another one this weekend doing same. All had pressure regulators on hose etc, and no one near them.  2 of them went away for an hour to go for a swim or something and came back to a flood in bathroom.  They're coming out and being replaced with a different model. I've been an RV technician for 18 yrs now, and I am not going to take the chance. Writing Thetford and letting them know that 3 in one park, is not a coincidence, it's a problem/defect that they refuse to acknowledge. New models are being ordered tomorrow.

 

[RVfixer1]

I have had several problems with that toilet over the years and have helped others fix their Aqua-Magic IV and V model toilets.  Here is some info that might help.  If you open the lid and lift the toilet seat you can see that there is a small cover toward the back top of the toilet.  Under that cover is the cam that operates the flush valve.  That cam has a return spring and a metal link to the water control valve arm.  If that cam sticks and does not completely return to it's home position then the water valve with continue to run water.  The answer is the remove those parts and lubricate.  This is not real easy.  To remove that little cover you have to get to the screws that go up from under the lip of the toilet.  With my toilet very close to the wall I found this impossible.  The easy way is to disconnect the water line  after shutting the water off and relieving pressure and have a towel ready to catch water.  remove the two nuts that hold the toilet to the floor and lift toilet.  It is very light.  Turn the toilet over (some water will come out) and remove just the screws that hold the small cover on.  Once you get that cover off you can lube the two part cam and find where it is binding.  You may not have to remove the cam/spring and water valve arm.  If you do it's easy just take note on of the sequence that the parts come out and which side is up.  You will see a screw and a large washer in the center of the cam.  Remove that and carefully remove the spring.  Everything else just lifts out.  If you don't have the little cover at the back under the seat then you have a model I am not familiar with.

I should add that the cover and toilet seat are easily removed one at a time by opening a little ways and pushing toward the back.  They will pop right off and snap back in the same manner.  Also, If you can not get the water to stop or do not want to try removing the cam and spring while on a trip...just leave the small cover off.  It is hid under the seat.  Then if the water does not stop running after a flush you can lift the seat and push the water valve arm to the closed position.  I once had the cable brake that operates the part of the cam controlling the water valve.  As a trip saver I took the small cover off (after pulling the toilet) and removed the link on the water valve.  I left the cover off and link off and reinstalled the toilet using the old foam seal.  We could then add water manually by lifting the seat and turning the water valve arm.  When we return home I bought the kit which includes everything...both cables, the cams, spring, hardware and a new floor seal.

Good luck

 

[NY_Dutch]

I installed an Aqua Magic Style Plus in in our coach in 2008 and we have not had a single issue with it. We spend about 3/4 of the year in our coach, so it gets used quite regularly.

 

[BamBam424]

Was driving my constant curiosity on why it would keep running and then not for quite a while. Was it after calling Thetford Help

Water Pressure too low?
Parts recommended to replace, but had not ordered yet.
Lubed the seal and ball joint to slide easier.
Snapped the peddle off and all looked good and worked by hand perfectly.
Greased the inside of the peddle where the spring arm goes into the peddle.
And it then flooded my hardwood floor and now it in buckled up in joints, argggg.

Solution? Pulled the peddle again and with close inspection, the black spring loaded arm had formed a tiny DENT in the plastic so when released by foot flushing it reset into the dent and that was not far enough to turn it off!! Took an exacto knife and shaved the dent smooth inside the foot peddle. Then lubed it and walla!!! Not running anymore. If it ever does again, I will add to this.

 

[NY_Dutch]

Well, since you brought this 8 year old thread back to life, I'll just update my post just before yours to say that shortly after that post, we switched to full time RV life. That same Thetford Style Plus is still in constant service, with the only "repairs" being the replacement of the ball valve gasket every 3-4 years when cleaning it no longer stops water leaking out of the bowl. It's a simple process that only takes about 20 minutes and doesn't require removing the toilet completely.

 

[BamBam424]

Was driving my constant curiosity on why it would keep running and then not for quite a while. Was it after calling Thetford Help

Water Pressure too low?
Parts recommended to replace, but had not ordered yet.
Lubed the seal and ball joint to slide easier.
Snapped the peddle off and all looked good and worked by hand perfectly.
Greased the inside of the peddle where the spring arm goes into the peddle.
And it then flooded my hardwood floor and now it in buckled up in joints, argggg.

Solution? Pulled the peddle again and with close inspection, the black spring loaded arm had formed a tiny DENT in the plastic so when released by foot flushing it reset into the dent and that was not far enough to turn it off!! Took an exacto knife and shaved the dent smooth inside the foot peddle. Then lubed it and walla!!! Not running anymore. If it ever does again, I will add to this.

Did not work argggggg. Parts are not available either for toilet 42062, parts 42048...Arggg

 

[BamBam424]

Well, since you brought this 8 year old thread back to life, I'll just update my post just before yours to say that shortly after that post, we switched to full time RV life. That same Thetford Style Plus is still in constant service, with the only "repairs" being the replacement of the ball valve gasket every 3-4 years when cleaning it no longer stops water leaking out of the bowl. It's a simple process that only takes about 20 minutes and doesn't require removing the toilet completely.

Hi Dutch, it is the water will not shut off 40% of the time and fills the bowl to overflo on the floor if I do not tap the foot pedal to the right slightly. Since 42048 part is not available, guess it is to take the toilet up and remove all parts and dry silicone lube them? parts 42048 Waste Ball Drive arm and 42049 Water valve on my 42062 toilet.

 

[NY_Dutch]

The 42048 an 42049 are both available from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Thetford-Corp-42048-Waste-Drive/dp/B009E2YX9E

https://www.amazon.com/Thetford-42049-Water-Valve-Style/dp/B005G20GRY/