[p]I am commissioning our 16TBS to go on a shake down camping trip to a local state forest campground today. Filled the water tank and bled the lines. The pump kept cycling every 10 seconds. Looked around and saw water spurting from the flush valve on the Dometic toilet. Busted!!![/p][p]
[/p][p]Back last year when I winterized by draining rather than using RV antifreeze, I knew this was a critical item. I removed the water supply valve and cycled the flush valve several times. But that wasn't enough. Probably a tiny bit of water was left in the line that goes up to the vacuum breaker. That ran down to the valve and it cracked the valve body just in back of the supply nipple.[/p][p]
[/p][p]So next fall I am going to disconnect the supply line and the line up to the vacuum breaker, hook up a piece of tubing and fill it with antifreeze and blow on it while cycling the valve. That way I will be sure that the valve body is protected.[/p][p]
[/p][p]A new valve is $35 from Amazon. Lesson learned.[/p][p]
[/p][p]David[/p]
Don't feel bad. Did it 2 years in a row. First year just plain missed it and second year thought I had learned my lesson so Hooked up my air compressor and blew out each and every line including that line. Held my foot down on the flush lever while the compressor blew air through the valve. Thought I was safe but valve cracked over this past winter and just as we sold our 16DB in March. Think I'll just take the valve out of our new 21BHS for the winter this year.
Taking the valve out for the winter is a great idea. Probably no more difficult than flushing with antifreeze. I will do it this fall.
Thanks, David