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Topic: O Joy! - Toilet Doesn't Flush (Read 818 times) previous topic - next topic

O Joy! - Toilet Doesn't Flush

Good Morning!

The lever on the side of the terlet puts water into the bowl, but the flap does not open and dump the bowl contents.

I could not find a loose connector, or see a fuse. So is the most likely condition a failure of the "motor" to open the flap?  And I now find myself in the land of very expensive replacement parts?

best, paul
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: O Joy! - Toilet Doesn't Flush

Reply #1 –
Paul,

Be sure to include toilet brand and model - there are a number of different powered toilets installed in Foretravels.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: O Joy! - Toilet Doesn't Flush

Reply #2 –
Well, Michelle, I'd tell you the make if I could, but the manufacturer was apparently ashamed of it and didn't put their name on it anywhere I could see. But I believe it is a Microphor

Looking at the photo of the motor here:

Microphor: Parts Ordering

I cannot tell if it's the same motor as mine.

best, paul

Quote
Be sure to include toilet brand and model - there are a number of different powered toilets installed in Foretravels.
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: O Joy! - Toilet Doesn't Flush

Reply #3 –
Don't know what you have for a toilet,but the same thing happened to ours. We have a microphore micro flush 220. The problem with ours was a split cam. The motor shaft was rotating but the cam did not turn to open the flap and dump the stuff. I used J B weld as a temporary fix and ordered a couple cams at $20 per. Got the extra for "insurance" purposes. If your depository is a Microphor you can get just about any part from them on line at Microphor.com. Motor is $300 so hope it be the cam.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: O Joy! - Toilet Doesn't Flush

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Paul Smith –
Well, Michelle, I'd tell you the make if I could, but the manufacturer was apparently ashamed of it and didn't put their name on it anywhere I could see. But I believe it is a Microphor.

best, paul
We had a manual for ours, the mfr info was on a paper label on the inside of the lid, did not stick very well.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: O Joy! - Toilet Doesn't Flush

Reply #5 –
Thanks for the tip, Roland. I could not see or feel any movement by the motor.

So it might just be the motor itself.

BTW, I did finally find the name. It IS a Microphor.

best, paul

Quote
Don't know what you have for a toilet, but the same thing happened to ours. We have a microphore micro flush 220. The problem with ours was a split cam. The motor shaft was rotating but the cam did not turn to open the flap and dump the stuff. I used J B weld as a temporary fix and ordered a couple cams at $20 per. Got the extra for "insurance" purposes. If your depository is a Microphor you can get just about any part from them on line at Microphor.com. Motor is $300 so hope it be the cam.
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: O Joy! - Toilet Doesn't Flush

Reply #6 –
Yeah, the underside of our lid looked like it had a label on it. A long time ago ;o)

No manuals at all with our FT. They disappeared when the previous owner had it on consignment...

best, paul

Quote
We had a manual for ours, the mfr info was on a paper label on the inside of the lid, did not stick very well.
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: O Joy! - Toilet Doesn't Flush

Reply #7 –
Paul,

It may be they use a standard motor.  Do an internet search using any part numbers that you find on the motor or in the manual.  Another supplier may have it much cheaper.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: O Joy! - Toilet Doesn't Flush

Reply #8 –
Motor won't run? There is an on/off rocker switch inside the toilet, could that have been accidentally shut off or a fuse blown?

Jim

2002 U320

Quote

I could not see or feel any movement by the motor.
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: O Joy! - Toilet Doesn't Flush

Reply #9 –
We had a Microphor in the '95. It lacked a "sense of urgency" that I like to see in a commode. The "brains" of that thing can be VERY pricey. If it is not a relay or something fairly reasonable ... and you have the option to go manual ... that would have been my preference.  If they need to pull the toilet for any reason, be careful to have them replace the big, wax ring seal. MOT did work on ours before we picked up the coach, and used the same seal, but compromised the integrity when they sat the thing back down.  Sensors were not working at the time, and we did not know the tanks were completely full (on the very first day of our occupancy!) and there was a nasty surprise at 11PM when a flush erupted all over the floor!!  Sometimes the fun never stops, ya know?
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: O Joy! - Toilet Doesn't Flush

Reply #10 –
Nope. Rocker works fine.

best, paul

Quote
Motor won't run? There is an on/off rocker switch inside the toilet, could that have been accidentally shut off or a fuse blown?
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: O Joy! - Toilet Doesn't Flush

Reply #11 –
Paul,
Microflush parts:
866-840-4944
Nice guy, very help full.
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: O Joy! - Toilet Doesn't Flush

Reply #12 –
Warning..., be very careful about putting a wax seal under the toilet, I did so and had a major problem with the black tank electric drain valve. Some excess wax dropped into the tank and interfered with the slide slide mechanism. You might have to clean or replace the valve. It is not easy to reach the bolts for the valves. Yea, don't ask me how I know this.
Jim

2002 U320
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: O Joy! - Toilet Doesn't Flush

Reply #13 –
Paul,  I have the same toilet (Microphor 220) and my motor has quit twice now.  Each time it has been due to one of the brushes getting hung up in the holder and not making contact with the armature.    The first thing I would try is to gently rap on the end of the motor cover to see if you can free up the offending brush.    If that fails it is possible to remove the motor cap while it is still installed in the toilet.    A general clean up of the motor cap and an inspection of the brushes, and then reassembly is generally all that is required.    On my last failure, the small wire from the carbon brush to the wire connector had failed.    I managed to find a similar replacement brush ($4.50 each)  and all has been working well for several months now.    It's not an easy space to work in ...... but it can be done.    I'm hoping you can free up the brush by rapping on the end of the motor.    I doubt a new motor will work.    There is a gear reduction assembly attached to the motor, and the screws that hold the motor on to the assembly are under the gears.  If you decide you want to remove the motor cap ..... post here and I'll give a step by step description of the process and the tools required.    They want almost $400 for the new motor and gear drive.    Plus the toilet needs to be removed to install it.    Hope this helps.

Dave VanAmburg
1999 U320 42ft
David VanAmburg
'99 U320 42ft
 

Re: O Joy! - Toilet Doesn't Flush

Reply #14 –
Thanks for the tip, Dave.

I'm a big fan of knocking things around, but, unfortunately, it didn't work in this case.

I'll try removing the cap next.

best, paul

Quote
Paul, I have the same toilet (Microphor 220) and my motor has quit twice now. Each time it has been due to one of the brushes getting hung up in the holder and not making contact with the armature. The first thing I would try is to gently rap on the end of the motor cover to see if you can free up the offending brush. If that fails it is possible to remove the motor cap while it is still installed in the toilet. A general clean up of the motor cap and an inspection of the brushes, and then reassembly is generally all that is required. On my last failure, the small wire from the carbon brush to the wire connector had failed. I managed to find a similar replacement brush ($4.50 each) and all has been working well for several months now. It's not an easy space to work in ...... but it can be done. I'm hoping you can free up the brush by rapping on the end of the motor. I doubt a new motor will work. There is a gear reduction assembly attached to the motor, and the screws that hold the motor on to the assembly are under the gears. If you decide you want to remove the motor cap ..... post here and I'll give a step by step description of the process and the tools required.  They want almost $400 for the new motor and gear drive. Plus the toilet needs to be removed to install it. Hope this helps.
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element