VACUFLUSH LEAKING FROM BOWL

jmcnab

jmcnab

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One of my Vacuflush units is leaking all the water from the bowl onto the floor. So far, I've replaced the seals (twice), the flush ball and spring valve, the plastic half-clamps and the stainless steel band that secures the half clamps. It's a 1996 848. Dometic suggested I buy a whole new toilet. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
 
Never had that issue in 30 years with 3 VFs on my boat.

I have a feeling you either used the wrong seal or mounted it the wrong way. Not sure which one you have but have to installed on face up.

How quickly does the water goes away. And after the bowl is empty do you hear a sucking noise ?
 
Seals are installed properly. The leak is between the bowl and top seal. The system maintains vacuum even with the bowl removed. I've had the boat for 22 years and have 2 units. Never had any problems either... until now...
 
That's what I was thinking. There is some cracking at the bottom but it looks superficial... like just in the glazing. The guy at Dometic I spoke with said he never heard of a bowl cracking and said they haven't made replacement bowls since 2001 so "you probably won't find one"... I have searched but not found one.
 
No choice but to take it back apart and thoroughly inspect bowl and seals
 
Weird. Has to be an issue on the base of the bowl. I wonder if you could try to add a thin soft rubber seal to improve sealing.
 
Are you torquing the clamp to the correct setting? Is the torque wrench properly calibrated?
 
Yes and no. The torque setting is 65 in/lbs. I used a torque wrench to tighten it, but I have never "calibrated" the wrench. I've been told that the band is quite sensitive to being over or under tightened, which is partly why I didn't just go by feel.

quote:
Originally posted by GeeBee

Are you torquing the clamp to the correct setting? Is the torque wrench properly calibrated?

Click to expand...
 
I'm so frustrated with the thing, I'm tempted to put a 1/2" ring of 5200 between the base of the bowl!!
quote:
Originally posted by GeeBee

Are you torquing the clamp to the correct setting? Is the torque wrench properly calibrated?

Click to expand...
 
Make sure all of the mating surfaces are clean and undamaged. Check the clam shells for cracking and perhaps get new ones. Drop the bowl on carefully, make sue it is well aligned, and install the clams, clamp and torque it down. Double check the seals on the ball valve stem to the foot pedal. Use some plumber grease where appropriate.
 
Might also check the clamp, it may be damaged or previously over torqued.
 
I'm using a brand new stainless clamp and plastic half clamp set.

quote:
Originally posted by GeeBee

Might also check the clamp, it may be damaged or previously over torqued.

Click to expand...
 
So where is the water dripping from? BTW are you using both of the rubber gaskets? I forget which goes down first. I believe the thick rubber faces up? Been quite a while since I did one.
 
The Vacuflush creates a vacuum to suck things in. The gaskets keep it tight so air isn't sucked in and you lose the vacuum. It wouldn't push water out. If you don't have crack in the bowl, check all your fittings at the pedal and floor flange seal
 
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