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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 Replace the plunger on a Thetford Porti-potty?		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts
Initially Posted - 03/14/2009 :  19:06:00  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
The seal around our porti-potty's flush plunger mechanism is leaking, does anyone know if this can be repaired or replaced? From a cursory inspection of the plunger, it doesn't appear to come off. I tried to unscrew it with no success, maybe it's just an O-ring that pops off? Does anyone know?

I'll also contact the manufacturer, if it doesn't come off, I may try to seal it with something, but off course, the leak's where it's difficult to get to.

Maybe a new Porti-potty's in our future.
David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor


Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --
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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts
Response Posted - 03/14/2009 :  19:35:53  Show Profile
The May <i>Mainsheet</i> will have a tech article on how to install a porta-potti (MSD) with pumpout capability. Don't ask me how I know.
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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts
Response Posted - 03/16/2009 :  15:30:09  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
I checked their website today, it's listed as a spare part, so it looks like maybe it can be repaired. The FAQ specifically mentioned replacing it, so I emailed them and asked about how to get the part, so we'll see. Worst comes to worst, we buy a new one, attempt a repair on this one & keep it around for camping/emergencies.
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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts
Response Posted - 03/17/2009 :  09:55:53  Show Profile
I bought the 2nd unit so haven't replaced the seal but have replaced the bellows. Discovered that the newer unit doesn't seal to the older unit. Redesign? Let us know about getting the seal.
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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts
Response Posted - 03/17/2009 :  10:02:25  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
They responded in email this morning, but really didn't answer my question. I clarified (I hope) what I'm asking in my response. If they still don't get, I can call the provided a 1-800 number for customer service.
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Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts
Response Posted - 03/17/2009 :  13:04:25  Show Profile
Have you tried asking your question here" http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/forumdisplay.php?f=31

It's Sailboatowners.com, and The Head Mistress is Peggie Hall who's literally "written the book" on boat odors and heads.

If anyone has a head question, this is THE place to ask it.
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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts
Response Posted - 03/17/2009 :  13:50:09  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
Stu,
No, I hadn't, but have now, thanks for the link. Hopefully we'll get to the bottom of this... (I kill myself)
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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts
Response Posted - 03/18/2009 :  12:14:23  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
So, Thetford sent me instructions for removing the old bellows assembly, basically the instructions read "pry off carefully with a screwdriver avoiding damage to the surrounding plastic". They still didn't bother to provide me with a source for spare parts, so I spent some time this morning looking. The parts are readily available in the UK & Europe, but not so much over here in the colonies. Eventually I found this place: http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/index.html. Fabulous website for finding parts, I wish everyone did things they way these guys do. I found the assembly for about $23 shipped, about 1/6 the price of a new head. Now if they just follow through with the order quickly so I can get it put back together & back on SL.
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Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts
Response Posted - 03/18/2009 :  14:10:36  Show Profile
David, glad that helped. For those interested, here's David's discussion with Peggie: http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=609508#post609508

If ANY of you have questions about heads and boat odors, I encourage you to use this resource at www.sailboatowners.com, like David did.
Edited by - Stu Jackson C34 on 03/18/2009 14:11:33
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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts
Response Posted - 03/18/2009 :  14:23:01  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
Well, the irony is, they just emailed me back saying the part's no longer available, but they have a replacement part for twice the price. At that price point, I'm starting to think about a new toilet instead of fixing this one. We can put up with the leak on this one when we're camping or whatever, plus now that I know how to get the assembly off, possibly I can just reseat it with some sealant to stop the leak.

I'll talk to Rita about it this evening when I get home & see what she thinks. I'm leaning towards a new head instead of fixing this one.
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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4018 Posts
Response Posted - 03/18/2009 :  19:35:18  Show Profile
If you are looking for a new porta potti I highly recommend one of these, Very good quality for much less $$$$!!http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2003274/c-10107/Nty-1/p-2003274/Ntx-mode+matchallpartial/N-10107/tf-Browse/s-10101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=toilet
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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts
Response Posted - 03/18/2009 :  20:15:25  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
Thanks for the tip on the Fiamma, I'd never heard of them. Does it come with some way to mount it to the deck?
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