Thetford Aria electric toilet won't hold water in the bowl.

Press both buttone together. The gate valve will open. Try cleaning the groove


I've had mine for 12 years and neve had that problem.

If the unit is more than 5 years old, I would replace the mechanism package. That is the motor and seals. You have probably impacted some debris in the end of the slide mechanism. You can pull the motor assbly and clean it out, but as I stated, if over 5 years old replace the motor assbly. It is replaced as a unit. Very easy to do after the toilet is pulled. The toilet uses a different flange than a pedal model. You would have to replace the floor mount flange also if changing toilets. Doug

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Thanks for the fast replies. I will try cleaning the seal this afternoon. If that doesn't solve the problem, I'll order the mechanism and change that out. What will take Doug less than an hour will probably take me all day. I have no experience with these toilets. But I am willing to tackle almost anything related to my rv.

I don't know how long it has been since the seal was replaced if ever. We just bought this rv a month ago. Due to a leveling jack issue, we haven't been camping with it yet. Hopefully that problem will be correct tomorrow.

Thanks again for you advice.
Bill

I use a toothbrush to clean the seal during my yearly maintenance and never have had an issue with it. Make sure you throw the toothbrush away when finished..:E..just sayin...Dennis

I usually clean as best I can, turn off the water, than pour a little ATF in the empty bowl. Let it sit in there a couple days. It will often cause the seals to expand a bit which will cause it to seal against water again. Usually only had to do it once a year after the rig had been sitting unused for a bit.

Jim@HiTek wrote:
I usually clean as best I can, turn off the water, than pour a little ATF in the empty bowl. Let it sit in there a couple days. It will often cause the seals to expand a bit which will cause it to seal against water again. Usually only had to do it once a year after the rig had been sitting unused for a bit.

Both of you need to understand this type seal/knife system is NOT like a regular toilet seal system. You CANNOT clean this type with a toothbrush or any type tool. You must pull the toilet and remove the motor mechanism to do any cleaning or maintenance. Doug

When our Thetford Aria would not hold water I cranked the slide open. I then used a round toilet bowl cleaning brush. I pushed the brush half way down the hole and rotated it around the hole. I did this a couple times and have never had any problems since. I did not have to pull the toilet up.

I also had an Aria in my Diplomat. There is a knurled knob on the back that you can turn to manually open the gate valve. I would then clean the seal as described. Mine was still holding water after 10 years.

toilet bush worked for me

Bend a cheap butter knife, (1/2inch) and while the seal is open fun the knife around the seal. Then use pluber's grease around the seal. Works for me and is what Thetford suggests.