Microflush LF-220 Removal

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Microflush LF-220 Removal

August 22, 2016, 09:01:04 pm

Multi-part post/question:
1) Is it necessary to remove the toilet in our 97 U320 for either of the following two reasons:
b) To replace the o-ring in the flapper and clean out a bunch of "gunk" (from me using a plunger unstopping the toilet a month ago) in the back below the electric parts? By the way, using a plunger is NOT a good idea. There was a hard white plastic "o-ring" floating around just under the flapper that I couldn't see, I still have no clue where this came from.
a) To replace all the carpet with vinyl plank? I have the flapper o-ring ordered and I plan to do both in the next two weeks?

2) If I need to remove this, is it only a matter of cutting water, electricity and unbolting it from the floor?

3) Also, is there a wax ring this thing sits on or is it hard piped in some way (though I can't imagine this)?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT!!!

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #1 – August 22, 2016, 09:21:04 pm

if it is a microphore, a very good time to replace it - parts are as expensive or almost as much as a new toilet and the bolt hole pattern often different.

The white gadget is a seal for the flapper I believe. Yes, there is a wax ring.

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #2 – August 22, 2016, 09:26:04 pm

Mine was fixable from the top and works beautifully

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #3 – August 22, 2016, 09:36:22 pm

We had a Microphor in our '95 coach. It lacked a "sense of urgency" that I like to see in a commode. If you are in a coach with a direct drop into the black tank, I would suggest looking into a commode with a greater level of Oomph.

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #4 – August 23, 2016, 08:47:13 am

There has been much conversation regarding the Microflush LF-220. We have had very good reliability over the 8 years of full timing. The only parts we have replaced is the flapper gasket & timer. The gasket can be replaced without removal as it is a glue in replacement. We removed the Microflush to replace the flooring and used the opportunity to remove/reseal the hopper. After tightening the hopper retaining rods apply thread lock to the nuts. The only problem you can count on will be with the vacuum break valve. It will need to be cleaned to remove hard water buildup. This is not a problem for us as we use softened water.

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #5 – August 23, 2016, 10:41:39 am

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – August 22, 2016, 09:21:04 pm

if it is a microphore, a very good time to replace it - parts are as expensive or almost as much as a new toilet and the bolt hole pattern often different.

The white gadget is a seal for the flapper I believe. Yes, there is a wax ring.

Tim, you've got me worried... when I went on their website and ordered the flapper seal, I found the rebuild parts to be very reasonable. The flapper o-ring was only $20 shipped to my door in three days.

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #6 – August 23, 2016, 10:43:49 am

Quote from: Caflashbob – August 22, 2016, 09:26:04 pm

Mine was fixable from the top and works beautifully

I will assume the instructions are in the packaging with the o-ring.
That hard plastic ring does worry me, I think I may remove the commode anyway, if for not other reason than to find where that came from and fix it if it is a problem. I would hate to have new flooring down and then find the problem, though that may not be an issue either way.

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #7 – August 23, 2016, 10:54:56 am

Quote from: Keith & Melissa – August 23, 2016, 10:43:49 am

I will assume the instructions are in the packaging with the o-ring.
That hard plastic ring does worry me, I think I may remove the commode anyway, if for not other reason than to find where that came from and fix it if it is a problem. I would hate to have new flooring down and then find the problem, though that may not be an issue either way.

They sell an instruction cd for $10.00 as for high prices, the flush lever is $289.00 and I can't remember what the electric motor price was, but it was high enough that I turned the commutator and replaced brushes myself

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #8 – August 23, 2016, 10:57:42 am

Quote from: Carol Savournin – August 22, 2016, 09:36:22 pm

We had a Microphor in our '95 coach. It lacked a "sense of urgency" that I like to see in a commode. If you are in a coach with a direct drop into the black tank, I would suggest looking into a commode with a greater level of Oomph.

Having read every thread I could find concerning the Microphor, what commode did you go with and why? How much was it to replace?

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #9 – August 23, 2016, 12:05:43 pm

We wound up getting into a different coach ... one that had a vacuum system, because the floor plan did not put the commode over the black tank. (See my posts on the Turbo Turd 3000 and our headscratching over that complicated machine). If you go to the Dometic website and begin exploring, there may be a comparison chart showing replacement recommendations for different units. If you have a direct drop situation, there is little problem. My personal feeling is that commodes should be simple. I opted to replace the Turbo Turd with one that operates with a simple foot pedal and did not require a complicated wiring harness and an electronics board. I could have replaced it with one of the new Techma units that have a built in macerator ... but they are $1300+ and I was trying to get away from all the complicated bits that always seem to pick the most awkward moment to have a failure. NOTHING stops a trip in it's tracks like a commode failure!! I need to get to the coach to look at the name & number of the guy I found at Dometic Sanitation. He is the Yoda of commodes ... been with Dometic for 20+ years, and helped me tremendously. I will post his name and number or PM you.

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #10 – August 23, 2016, 12:22:41 pm

Yes, the microphore is a great product when it works.

Parts are ridiculously expensive when it breaks, and after two events each with over $400 in parts needed, I elected on the second event to trash the toilet instead of throwing more money at it.

The one I got is higher, has an elongated seat (easier to us....) flushes electrically, cost about $850 and is head and shoulders better than microphore. That being said, no reason to pitch a working toilet, unless one is remodeling the flooring as my replacement has a different bolt pattern than the microphore so until I changed out the flooring in the coach, I had two holes not used visible in my bathroom floor.

here is a link to the product that is in my coach, JohnS has a similar unit I believe:

Aria Deluxe RV Toilet by Thetford - PPL Motor Homes

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #11 – August 23, 2016, 01:18:05 pm

It is on sale at PPL for $500.00 It is the same one that is in my current coach also

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #12 – August 23, 2016, 01:27:50 pm

So does the Aria toilet work when the toilet does not sit above the black tank? We had a problem with our vacu-flush toilet a few weeks ago. I replaced the bowl seal and the duckbill valves. It seems to be working for now.

A friend of mine suggested I can put in a Thetford Tecma toilet which is a macerating toilet. Is the Aria a macerating toilet? $500 seems like a decent price.

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #13 – August 23, 2016, 01:34:44 pm

Quote from: Ed W – August 23, 2016, 01:27:50 pm

So does the Aria toilet work when the toilet does not sit above the black tank? We had a problem with our vacu-flush toilet a few weeks ago. I replaced the bowl seal and the duckbill valves. It seems to be working for now.

A friend of mine suggested I can put in a Thetford Tecma toilet which is a macerating toilet. Is the Aria a macerating toilet? $500 seems like a decent price.

Not sure what you are saying. If you mean will it work if there is an angle connecter below the toilet it worked on my Monaco that way. If you mean the toilet is lower than the tank, you've got me there. It is not a macerating toilet but neither is the 220.

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #14 – August 23, 2016, 03:20:33 pm

In almost 4 years we have replaced the black flapper gasket, water solenoid and water timing Total less than $100.00 - not too bad. We will continue to nurse this one along until we encounter a large $$$ repair then will probably replace with an Aria or Thetford 31672 Aqua-Magic V. I think our black tank is directly below the toilet.

Oh - I could hardly forget the water supply repair Roland performed when we were really, really new to our coach.

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #15 – August 23, 2016, 04:26:00 pm

Mine is above black tank, it hi k it is gravity

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #16 – August 24, 2016, 12:00:37 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – August 23, 2016, 12:22:41 pm

Aria Deluxe RV Toilet by Thetford - PPL Motor Homes

This one is OEM above the tank in my 05. Zero issues in 11 years. Hope I don't jinx it...

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #17 – August 24, 2016, 12:16:43 pm

We have the same one, works great but I think it would have to be above the tank to do so.

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #18 – August 24, 2016, 12:56:20 pm

The commode and the vacuum system are two entirely separate things. the toilet flushes and adds water ... the vacuum unit has built up a pressure in the space between the bowl outlet and the black tank to help mooooove things along. The key with a vacuum system, just like on a boat, is to use appropriate tissue, not overload it, and plenty of water to keep things sliding. My only issue with the Turbo Turd was not with the vacuum assist ... but with the overly engineered base that relied on electricity to open and close the half-ball valve that let things whoosh along their way! Now, I just have a green light that tells me that the vacuum has been achieved and we are ready to roll.

Re: Microflush LF-220 Removal

Reply #19 – August 24, 2016, 01:28:38 pm

And the main part for the TTurd was $450, new toilet was about$550 plus install.

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