Toilet cassette

I read somewhere that some people leave the toilet flap open over winter. Is this generally advised and if so, why?

Many thanks
Sally

Yes, only because it sticks to the rubber seal and can be a right pain to open when you need it to.

As Paul says.
 I once left the flap closed on mine over winter. Several months later it proved difficult to open, and when I eventually managed it the seal was damaged in the process.
I always leave it open now when the van isn't being used.
Al.

We grease ours with some olive oil on a bit of kitchen paper every now and again. Stops it sticking and - I think- makes it less likely to scale up in hard water areas. Vaseline will do the same job but only a thin smear.

Certainly do it before leaving the van for any length of time.

If in doubt, leave it open when unused for long periods as suggested.

Lubrication of some sort is a good idea for general use anyway.  Olive oil or a thin smear of Vaseline works but may be detrimental to the long-term condition of the seal, although no doubt some on here will respond that they've used it for donkeys years with no ill effects.   

However since we've got 'loadsa money' I tend to use the product made for the job and recommended by the manufacturer, this can be obtained for around a fiver, e.g. here:

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That's actually cheaper than the equivalent virgin olive oil we usually buy anyway  

Many thanks everyone. I’ve just been over to the van to do a top up drive, so I’ve left it open and I’ll investigate the spray. Silly question, but do I spray the flap that’s in the bowl, or the mechanism on the removable cassette?

Sally

If it's the same as ours, the flap is actually part of the cassette - when you take it out to empty it, there should be an open hole in the bowl itself. You've probably never noticed that as you probably have the seat and cover down.

You can operate the flap on the removed cassette by using the turn knob, so it's possible after emptying and rinsing to apply the spray direct. This is preferable as you can ensure that the seal gets properly lubricated.  Alternatively, you can spray the flap whilst in situ and just open and close it a couple of times.

Ah Roger...I wouldn’t dream of so responding. !  We tend to buy a new van about every 8 years anyway, before the toilet seal has a chance of disintegrating. We go back to the pre-Thetford Maintenance spray days when - as now- Thetford advised olive oil ( cooking quality no doubt ). I am told by the man who does it that we now use the spray anyway.

Thetford still do endorse olive oil :

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rogerblack wrote:VIf it's the same as ours, the flap is actually part of the cassette - when you take it out to empty it, there should be an open hole in the bowl itself. You've probably never noticed that as you probably have the seat and cover down.

You can operate the flap on the removed cassette by using the turn knob, so it's possible after emptying and rinsing to apply the spray direct. This is preferable as you can ensure that the seal gets properly lubricated.  Alternatively, you can spray the flap whilst in situ and just open and close it a couple of times.

Do you know, that’s really obvious when you say it.  The flap is on the cassette, but I’ve never seen the bowl ‘open’ as I remove the cassette from outside. It’s obvious now you’ve explained it; perhaps it wasn’t such a silly question after all! 

Need to be mindful that you can't remove the cassette if the flap is left open. Memory can fade especially over a long period of non use. As a visual reminder, we insert a thin piece of plastic with a key fob attached into the cassette door key lock.

Having only just picked up my new van this week, I think I’ve read everything about the annual winter wind down then I learn of another task 
Is there a definitive list of winter jobs on the forum somewhere?

Dbvwt wrote:IHaving only just picked up my new van this week, I think I’ve read everything about the annual winter wind down then I learn of another task 
Is there a definitive list of winter jobs on the forum somewhere?

There is. I searched for ‘winterisation’.

But it doesn’t mention the flap 

What would be useful would be one list that we could keep adding to as we come across a forgotten task.

rogerblack wrote:If in doubt, leave it open when unused for long periods as suggested.

Lubrication of some sort is a good idea for general use anyway.  Olive oil or a thin smear of Vaseline works but may be detrimental to the long-term condition of the seal, although no doubt some on here will respond that they've used it for donkeys years with no ill effects.   

However since we've got 'loadsa money' I tend to use the product made for the job and recommended by the manufacturer, this can be obtained for around a fiver, e.g. here:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

That's actually cheaper than the equivalent virgin olive oil we usually buy anyway  

Yes but it's not so great as a salad dressing  

Sally wrote:

Dbvwt wrote:IHaving only just picked up my new van this week, I think I’ve read everything about the annual winter wind down then I learn of another task 
Is there a definitive list of winter jobs on the forum somewhere?

There is. I searched for ‘winterisation’.

But it doesn’t mention the flap 

What would be useful would be one list that we could keep adding to as we come across a forgotten task.

It does now, I've just added it, thanks for the suggestion.

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I covered the things I do here for winterisation. 
Some may think it's excessive, but the van is left untouched for 3 months.
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A possible addition to the list, something we do regularly anyway but, if leaving the van, before we leave it, is to dust, all the rubber seals round windows and rooflights with a light dusting of talc to prevent the rubber sealing onto the closed surface and ripping off when the window is opened. A silicone spray or furniture polish spray can be used instead.

New to the forum. Is there Much involved to change the Seal on a Domestic cassette tank?

Sorry but this forum is specifically for Autosleeper brand motorhomes, any advice we can give is specific to them and may not apply to your Knaus. Worth checking for an owner's group for your vehicle or manufacturer


Edit..Notice you have changed your vehicle type in profile to Ducato, you will realise can't change forum name which is still Knaus23, you are welcome to stay in the forum but above point about advice being manufacturer specific still applies

Check out YouTube, I know there are videos on the seal of a Thetford cassette, so there's bound to be one on the Dometic.