Black Gunge when Flushing Toilet

[colin(bridgend)]

Please help - on flushing the w.c.in the van I am constantly getting horrible black gunge from the tank. How can I get rid of this? Is it possible to take the cistern apart to clean it out? The caravan is a Bailey Ranger with manual flush. Thanks for any advice as it will be very much appreciated.

 

[Sproket]

Have you tried a good strong dose of miton in the flush tank, leave it for a few hours, empty it, re-fill it & see how much it has removed. ?

You may have to repeate it....

( or a weak solution of bleach ?? )

Then a good flush throu.....

 

[RayS]

If your toilet is the bench type you can get to the flush tank easliy by removing the toilet roll holder - just pull straight out upwards, you can then reach most parts with a suitable brush. I then unfasten the winter drain pipe aka level indicator behind the outer door and drain the tank down into a bucket or several rather than put all the flused out gunge through the pump.

Not sure how much of this will apply to the non-bench type.

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Unfortunately Ray it is not of the bench type - the flush cistern is vertical on the outside wall of the van and at right angles to the bowl.

 

[Hamer_5041128]

I had the same problem 2 or 3 years ago. It was caused in my case by useing aquarinse.

I completely drained the flush tank, then flushed about 2 pints of water through it. Then i added a strong solution of Milton to a couple of pints of water and left it in the flush tank for about 3 hours, then flushed it through. Then flushed through about 2 pints of water. I now use Elsan Pink and have done over the past couple of years with no problems.

I have known other caravanners with this problem and the above cured the problem.

Hamer

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Is there any drain hole in the cistern to drain the tank or do I have to constantly flush it through the toilet bowl?

 

[Soozeeg]

Is there any drain hole in the cistern to drain the tank or do I have to constantly flush it through the toilet bowl?

Have a very hot curry, Colin......that will make the constant flushing worthwhile! Hehehe ;o)

 

[Sproket]

By flushing it through it will clear any blockages....

 

[swpostie]

Hi Colin,

Thetford used to sell a product to clear this up.

Now they're advising using Milton -

50ml to 15 litres of water (the c-200 holds about 17 litres). Leave it for 24-48 hours, drain and rinse.

That should clear it up.

If not, I think they recommend a 10% solution of citric acid (apparently available from health food shops), left for a similar length of time.

Thetford say their pink prevents build up by leaving s slippery coating on the inside surface of the flush tank, while other people say switching to another brand prevents the build up.

We've just started to experience this problem after leaving the 'van standing for a few months rather than using it every 6 weeks or so, as we had previously done.

I put 50ml Milton and water in yesterday and will drain tomorrow, when we use the 'van.

 

[Damian]

Quote "Thetford say their pink prevents build up by leaving s slippery coating on the inside surface of the flush tank,"

And this slippery coating acts like a Petrie Dish is the perfect place for bacteria to breed, which is the black "gunge".

Once cleared it is beter to use plain water in the flush tank.

 

[marlot]

I haven't had any black bits since I stopped using pink in the flush tank

 

[colin(bridgend)]

I have spent all morning continuously flushing clear water through the system. Have now filled the system with clean water with a bottle of steralising solution. There appeared to be no sign of the gunge so will leave it now till tomorrow morning and see how it goes. At the moment having flushed it once there is a lovely smell from the solution. Just hope it has no detrimental effect on the seals, etc.

Thank you for your suggestions - it is very much appreciated, (appart from Soozeeg LOL).

Regards

Colin

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Good news folks - all is now well. Took advice from here and flushed the cistern through several times and then poured steralising solution in final fill. Left it for a day and all we have now is clear water flushing through the cistern with the pleasant smell of the solution. Great and once again many thanks to to all.

 

[swpostie]

Our black bits have gone too!

I left the 50ml Milton solution in the flush tank for two days (as recommended by Thetford), drained and rinsed with fresh water and - Hey Presto! No more black bits.

Incidentally, Damian, I really don't think you should be, as a moderator, telling people it's better to use plain water in the flush tank of a Thetford toilet when Thetford themselves say you need to use an additive.

 

[Damian]

Rupert, as an Approved Workshop I have seen the results of using additives in flush tanks.

Thetford as you may be aware are a company selling products, amongst which are additives,,,,,,I wonder why they advocate their use.

I do not sell additives, I do not manufacture any caravan related items and wil advise on the basis of the numbers of faults or problems associated with the use of products which cause problems rather than cure them.

Unfortunately every post I make is tagged as a Moderator, however not every reply is as such.

If you wish to ignore advice, please feel free to do so, personally I dont care, I know what I will and will not use, and that is fine with me.

 

[DeliDave_]

With respect Rupert Moderators are allowed an opinion as well,I dont use additives usually and have no probs.Also I think if you do get a leak from the flushing tank I'd rather have plain water than the pink stuff staining my carpet.

 

[Bluebird1]

I used to experience this problem but told that it was caused by me not draining the contents of the tank before putting the van back into storage. I now always drain the tank and black bits seem to be a thing of the past