Toilet does not hold water in the bowl

Guy Lombardo · 05-16-2021, 08:07 PM

My Kodiak Trailer had toilet with a seal which held water in the bowl. I assumed that was the best way to keep black tank fumes from escaping.
Last fall I bought a slightly used 2018 Thor Chateau 24F which had been stored for long pereods of time between uses in Prescott AZ. Any water poured into the Thor toilet quickly pours through the seal. Is this normal? I do not detect any fumes escaping from the black tank. I have tried gasket rejuvenater liquids but it leaks down so quickly there is no improvement. Could the long periods in storage with a dry toilet have ruined the gasket and should I replace the black gasket?
If I have to replace the black gasket, do I need to pull the toilet out to do so?

Bob Denman · 05-16-2021, 08:09 PM

This is simple: just replace the gasket.
Cheap, easy to get and easy to replace.

JamieGeek · 05-16-2021, 08:32 PM

Yup replace the gasket.

Removing the toilet is pretty easy its just some bolts on the floor (very similar to a home toilet). Search youtube for the make & model toilet you have and "gasket replacement" you'll find a bunch of videos.

I did mine, didn't take too long.

Pete'sMH · 05-16-2021, 09:37 PM

I don’t think you need to remove the toilet just yet. The seal at the bottom of the bowl can become fouled with mineral (or other) build up or can become dry or brittle Perhaps especially following long storage that would allow the water to evaporate. Try opening the valve with the flushing lever and cleaning it manually with an old toothbrush or something. Some people put a lubricating gel like Vasoline or plumbers grease on it to soften the seal and it might be worth a try. If that fails to revitalize things I think the replacement is cheap enough and an easy DIY project. Check YouTube.

Trkyte@msn.com · 05-16-2021, 09:44 PM

Piece of cake. My 2017 was losing water this spring when I dewinterized it. Amazon had the new ball and gasket pretty cheap. Good directions came with the kit. Took less than an hour.

**16ACE27** · 05-16-2021, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy Lombardo

My Kodiak Trailer had toilet with a seal which held water in the bowl. I assumed that was the best way to keep black tank fumes from escaping.
Last fall I bought a slightly used 2018 Thor Chateau 24F which had been stored for long pereods of time between uses in Prescott AZ. Any water poured into the Thor toilet quickly pours through the seal. Is this normal? I do not detect any fumes escaping from the black tank. I have tried gasket rejuvenater liquids but it leaks down so quickly there is no improvement. Could the long periods in storage with a dry toilet have ruined the gasket and should I replace the black gasket?
If I have to replace the black gasket, do I need to pull the toilet out to do so?

No, water seal leaking. Replace as previously advised and as you suspected.

Mr Sunshine · 05-17-2021, 01:14 AM

Before you go replacing parts, try applying some plumber's grease all around the gasket.

ador · 05-17-2021, 01:39 AM

What he said. Clean the gasket first. Maybe some debris dried up. Then apply plumber's grease. If that doesn't work, then replace.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Sunshine

Before you go replacing parts, try applying some plumber's grease all around the gasket.

Scubawise · 05-17-2021, 02:22 AM

Freed up our RV toilet seal

Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2020

Size: 1/2 oz.

We are living in our 5th wheel while our new home is being built. After about 5 weeks, the toilet bowl would no longer hold water and leak down. I rinsed it well, then turned off the water, put on gloves and coated the rubber seal with this clear grease and it works like...*See more

cavie · 05-17-2021, 07:54 PM

Replace the seal. Amazon is your friend.

gnach · 05-18-2021, 01:27 PM

Avoid Vaseline. Petroleum products attack the rubber seal. Silicone grease is great stuff.

Scubawise · 05-18-2021, 04:55 PM

Gnach what are these? Do you have pictures?
FatMat and Hoodliner...

Pete'sMH · 05-18-2021, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnach

Avoid Vaseline. Petroleum products attack the rubber seal. Silicone grease is great stuff.

Not to seem disagreeable or anything but Vaseline should work fine. It is true that petroleum products will deteriorate rubber but few if any modern seals actually are made of natural rubber. There is not a risk with synthetic products.

Miramar Owner · 05-18-2021, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy Lombardo

My Kodiak Trailer had toilet with a seal which held water in the bowl. I assumed that was the best way to keep black tank fumes from escaping.
Last fall I bought a slightly used 2018 Thor Chateau 24F which had been stored for long pereods of time between uses in Prescott AZ. Any water poured into the Thor toilet quickly pours through the seal. Is this normal? I do not detect any fumes escaping from the black tank. I have tried gasket rejuvenater liquids but it leaks down so quickly there is no improvement. Could the long periods in storage with a dry toilet have ruined the gasket and should I replace the black gasket?
If I have to replace the black gasket, do I need to pull the toilet out to do so?

I'm not sure about yours but I lubricate my seal with plumbers grease. I put on a disposable glove and stick my hand into the bowl and wipe around the seal with the grease. Works great!

Scubawise · 05-18-2021, 10:30 PM

Try this

cavie · 05-18-2021, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy Lombardo

My Kodiak Trailer had toilet with a seal which held water in the bowl. I assumed that was the best way to keep black tank fumes from escaping.
Last fall I bought a slightly used 2018 Thor Chateau 24F which had been stored for long pereods of time between uses in Prescott AZ. Any water poured into the Thor toilet quickly pours through the seal. Is this normal? I do not detect any fumes escaping from the black tank. I have tried gasket rejuvenater liquids but it leaks down so quickly there is no improvement. Could the long periods in storage with a dry toilet have ruined the gasket and should I replace the black gasket?
If I have to replace the black gasket, do I need to pull the toilet out to do so?

No, it is not normal. the toilet must hold water. Yes you can replace the seal. Amazon is your friend. No, you do not have to remove the toilet. Youtube is your friend also.

PS. Thor does not make the toilet.

Guy Lombardo · 05-23-2021, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

I don’t think you need to remove the toilet just yet. The seal at the bottom of the bowl can become fouled with mineral (or other) build up or can become dry or brittle Perhaps especially following long storage that would allow the water to evaporate. Try opening the valve with the flushing lever and cleaning it manually with an old toothbrush or something. Some people put a lubricating gel like Vasoline or plumbers grease on it to soften the seal and it might be worth a try. If that fails to revitalize things I think the replacement is cheap enough and an easy DIY project. Check YouTube.

Thank you very much for your advice. I cleaned the gasket with an old tooth brush and coated it with Aquafor ( only 41% petroleum). It immediately was able to hold water. Then I poured in some Thetford toilet seal treatment. It has been several days and 100% of the water and treatment are still in the bowl. It sure beats replacing the gasket.

Howard1257 · 05-23-2021, 11:19 AM

Clean the seal with silicone or vasoline

Miramar Owner · 05-23-2021, 12:07 PM

Guy,
As is true of many things in your RV, especially seals, preventive care is worth the time spent. I keep a round bristle toilet brush beside the toilet bowl and use it to wipe the seal from debris. That's the firs step I take if the bowl fails to hold water. If that doesn't solve the problem I then lubricate the seal as I said in a previous post.

I lubricate the seal any time I put my Miramar in storage for more than a month or so. I have NEVER had to replace a seal in 4 motorhomes in 35 years.

The_Breeze · 05-23-2021, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy Lombardo

Thank you very much for your advice. I cleaned the gasket with an old tooth brush and coated it with Aquafor ( only 41% petroleum). It immediately was able to hold water. Then I poured in some Thetford toilet seal treatment. It has been several days and 100% of the water and treatment are still in the bowl. It sure beats replacing the gasket.

When I had mine in storage, I kept a large plastic coffee container with water in the bath. I'd use that to replenish the water so the seal wouldn't dry out. I checked on my rig no less than once a month. Sealed it up tight. Vent insulators, reflectix (in skylight too) and damprid type containers. Never a problem anywhere.

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