HELP! Thetford RV Toilet Question

The good news is most of the smell will go away with enough water used when flushing. I also use some stuff for the smell like Travel Jon Waste Digester (available at Camping World and elsewhere)... but that's another debate we won't get into now. There are those who think just using enough water and timely dumping of the tanks will solve the smell... and they're right, in a perfect world. Often, my world is not perfect. Lol

So... let's move on to the water, or lack thereof. You're hooked up to "city" water or you have tank water with the pump turned on, right? If yes, you've bled the air out of the lines? If not, turn on the highest spigott you have (probably the shower) and let run until the air stops and water flows. If you've been sucking air into your toilet line, hold the handle (or pedal, whatever you have) for a sufficient time for the air to get out. Fixed? If not, that's all I have (not knowing your trailer). Someone more familiar with your setup will need to continue. But, rest assured, the above steps will not be in vain because these steps must be taken before moving on to the next.

Thanks blangen! I think there is not any air in the lines as all the faucets work just fine, just no water flowing into the toilet :(

Yes, I'm hooked into city water at the RV park I'm at right now....

If you are running the bathroom fan while flushing, the fan is sucking odor from the black tank into the bathroom. That's your smell. An incredibly odorous black tank probably has been used with not enough water and has a solids accumulation somewhere. My guess is the problem with the toilet water supply has contributed to this issue.

If you have sewer hookups where you are, this is a good time to work on the black tank.

Run enough water to fill the gray tank.

Dump enough water down through the toilet (or get a hose, NOT your drinking water hose!!!) and run it to fill the black tank. FULL.

Let the black tank set for a while, then dump it, followed by dumping the gray tank. Do this a few times and it should help.

If you have a black tank flush, learn how to use it.

The best way to prevent black tank problems is to use generous amounts of water.

I got no help on the supply to the toilet issue.

StateofConfusion wrote:
Thanks blangen! I think there is not any air in the lines as all the faucets work just fine, just no water flowing into the toilet :(

Yes, I'm hooked into city water at the RV park I'm at right now....

So... I don't know you're toilet. I assume down makes for the flush. Have you tried raising the handle? That may bring in water without flushing. If the handle will go up, hold it up until water comes out.

Maybe this will help??

Clicky

Or call Thetford 1-800-543-1219

Is there a shutoff on the line?

S.O.C., let's look at this logically. First, you've mentioned TWO problems. Solve them one at a time. Forget about the smell right now. I will assume this is a used coach but new to you. If not, please advise the year of the rig. Let's try to solve the water issue first. To do so, you'll need to trouble shoot it. Here's how:
1. Make sure water is on and coming into the coach. You've already said you get water to the sinks so again I'll assume your hooked up and ready to go.
2. Look behind the toilet where the water supply hose comes up thru the floor. Is there any type of valve or shut off there. If yes, turn the handle in the opposite direction it's in then try to flush. If no, try RAISING the handle instead of pushing it down. Does it raise? If yes, does ANY water appear, even a drop or two?
3. Turn ON the water pump and go thru step two again. Any luck? If no, go to 4.
4. Look in your outside compartment where the water pump is. Is there a valve for winterizing your trailer? Check for valves marked bathroom, toilet or similar.
5. Does your trailer have a manabloc system? If yes, make sure the valve to the toilet is ON. If none of these work, go to 6.
6. Did you buy this from a dealer or private party. If dealer, call them in the morning. If pvt party, call them and ask them why it doesn't work.
7. Start a NEW thread for your black tank smell. That problem is secondary to the no flush issue....Dennis

Further investigation appears you have a Thetford Aqua-Magic IV model toilet with the hand flush. If this is so, you pull the handle half way forward to add water and all the way forward to flush. Apparently this isn't happening. So I've revised my trouble shooting for you.

1. Turn water OFF.
2. Remove water line from toilet.
3. Have someone briefly turn water ON and then OFF. See if you get water out of the line. An easy way to do this, if you don't have a helper is disconnect the water line from the toilet and turn on the water pump. Switch should be in the bathroom with you. See if water comes out of the supply line. If it does then your water valve inside the toilet needs to be replaced.

I have included the owner's manual in the click link below. There's an 800 number for questions....Dennis

Owner's manual

WOW....thank you everyone for all your suggestions! I am going to read through these answers and work on troubleshooting today and post later on to give you guys an update :)

Any luck getting it working?