We put the caravan into storage in November and drained down everything. In December just prior to the heavy snow we used the caravan and went on site.
We went out for the day leaving the heating on low and the bathroom door shut. Came back in the evening and went to use the loo, but it would not flush. Being a 1990 Coachman it has the old Thetford toilet with a big knob that you turn. We assume that the mechanism had frozen up.
When we came to leave the site the next day, went to drain the flush system of the pink water and it was frozen solid and could not do a thing with it so had to take it take to storage like that.
Over the past week it has thawed out, but the pink water from the flush system has entered the caravan. I cannot see where it is leaking from, but I am hoping that it will not be an expensive repair. Can't afford to spend too much money doing a repair.
sorry to hear of you mishap.I must admit we couldn't remember wether we drained the flush or not,done everything else but the big freeze came and i suppose caught a few people out.
Before you undertake major removal of parts it might be worth checking that the flush drain down pipe still has the flexi section still connected at both ends and has not split. This being the nearest to the outside of the van is going to get frozen first. Its worth a try otherwise you are going to have to see how much flush fluid is left in the tank and try to find a leak at or just above the waterline. If you remove the toilet roll holder drum you should be able to see into the flush tank and at the same time check the pump for splits etc. Good luck!
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Have just brought a van and the previous owner had not drained the flush tank fortunately it is ok. The flush was not working but I have removed and serviced the pump and it is now working.
I dont think the previous owners had used any flush additive as the top tank has lots of slimely black gunge in it! Will be flushing that away with some miltons fluid.
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The best advice is if you make an annual winter list like I do then you can't forget anything. Drain off fresh water supply / open all taps / put plugs in sinks / ensure toilet empty / drain off flush tank / open fridge door / pull seats away from sides / activate battery operated rodent repeller etc. etc. etc. then at least then you reduce the risks from severe winter damage. I believe that if you fail to prepare you have to be prepared to fail and so by making a list then you have prepared to eliminate the possibility of a burst hot water tank, split pipes, damaged pressure switch, toilet and rubber seals damage. You can also copy the sheet for the next winter as well and tick off the items as you go and hopefully you never get caught out again. I know it doesn't solve your problem but prevention is always better than cure. I hope you manage to detect the leak and manage to repair to your flush tank without being too costly. Good luck!
I had same problem (pink water entering van) i stripped everything down before i found the flexi drain pipe 9as mentioned above) had split it was actually split at back but worked itsway to front before dripping into bottom then rollig back into van the whole part is very cheap but i made an adequate repair so never actualy replaced.
checking that first before stripping major parts is a must
Just to clarify, this happened while we were using the caravan and on site. We had closed the toilet door so no warm air got into the area resulting in the freeze up. Remember this if winter caravanning!
Thanks for the tips. We will try and see where it is leaking before getting the mobile service man to repair it.
Hi Surfer01, hope your problem not to bad, and its just a split drain pipe, I was reading in my owners hand book regarding the winterizing, and use of thetford toilet during the winter, and it recomends the use of an non toxic (Propylenglycol) type of anti freeze, the flush tank should hold 15L of water, may help you in the future if your winter caravaning, good luck and keep us posted on your result.
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However, when I drove up the battery compartment was open. How on earth this has happened I do not know.
It was fully locked shut when we left it last time and now it was open. Nobody had stolen anything but I still find it weird. Could it have expanded and popped open with the big freeze????
If it was that pipe surely the water would just drain back into the tank as from memory it is the pipe from the submersible pump to the bowl outlet, or am I missing something?
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Topic: We really messed up big time!
