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 Topic: We really messed up big time!
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14/1/2011 at 4:14pm
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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.
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14/1/2011 at 6:12pm
Location: lancs
Outfit: sterling
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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.
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14/1/2011 at 6:41pm
Location: Cambs
Outfit: Tin tent diddy tent BIG tent
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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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'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'
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14/1/2011 at 6:49pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Renault Kadjar 2016+Lunar Venus 500-4
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Oh no! Going up to my van tomorrow as I think we left the pink fluid in ours also.
Fingers crossed it hasnt done the same.
Hope you sort it out quickly and cheaply.
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14/1/2011 at 7:36pm
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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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14/1/2011 at 7:55pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
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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!
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14/1/2011 at 11:19pm
Location: Leicester
Outfit: Abbey stafford 95
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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
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15/1/2011 at 8:58am
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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.
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15/1/2011 at 8:48pm
Location: Lanarkshire
Outfit: Compass Lynx 340 2
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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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If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
John
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15/1/2011 at 10:01pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Renault Kadjar 2016+Lunar Venus 500-4
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Been and checked mine today and all ok - phew!
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????
Confused :S
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15/1/2011 at 10:37pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Caravan now Sold
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possible pipe 40 has come off.see
http://www.leisurespares.co.uk/files/c2.pdf
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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
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15/1/2011 at 10:50pm
Location: Cambs
Outfit: Tin tent diddy tent BIG tent
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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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'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'
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15/1/2011 at 11:08pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Caravan now Sold
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possibly but could be one or both as the ice pushes them off and after thawing leak or stop the pump working.
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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
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