Ron wrote:Yes, we had that same problem when the motorhome was new. We had Vacuflush service loofa at it. They found that the seal between and the floor was not properly installed by Fleetwood. The toilet is attached worth 4 bolts, these bolts are supposed to be tightened "sequentially' similarly to tightening the wheel lugs on a car. Not installing it that way cause the seal to be compressed more on one side causing a leak on the opposite aide. Vacuflush corrected the installation......NO more problems (2+ years)

Is there a list of VacuFlush service centers, if so how do I locate it?

I had an 08 Southwind and the fuse was in the half bath in the back of the cabinet at the outside wall.  Lots of fuses there!  VacuFlush system on mine was in an outside storage bay just behind the entry door.  In my 2016 Southwind, the vacuflush system is behind a wood panel in the outside storage bay behind the passenger rear tire.  Had to replace the duckbill valves twice - not a pleasant task but keeps that system running well.  Interesting system, expensive and hard to maintain, i'd rather have two black tanks!

The vacuflush pump on our 2018 Bounder is located in the same compartment as propane tank.  There is a shelf located above the propane tank that is cover with a panel.

I guess I need to throw my hat into the ring on this topic.

We bought a 2014 Bounder 35K in October 2018. At that time we did not understand the workings of the VacuFlush system. After our first outing, I researched and learned about the red and green status lights. It was never going to green indicating a vacuum leak somewhere. We were still in the purchase warranty period. The dealer made good by finding the leak and replacing the base unit on the 1/2 bath unit. On inspection, it went to green, so I signed off on the fix. I should have left the system run longer during the inspection to be sure there were no issues when the pump switch is left on.

On later trips we noticed that the status light would go from green to red, for no apparent reason, and the vacuum pump runs indefinitely. 

I inspected around each toilet and noticed some water around the one in the 1/2 bath. Dometic/SeaLand tech support said to start with the most common problem, the half-clamps that fasten the bowl to the base. Their instructions were to be sure the worm drive on the band was at the back of the bowl. The half-clamps meet in the front and are gapped at the back initially. With the worm-drive on the band at the back, it was closing the gap properly. If the worm clamp is anywhere else, the band needs to slide on the half-clamp and it will not be as effective. This solves the water issue behind the 1/2 bath base, but after a while, I still go from green to red. There is still a leak in the vacuum system somewhere!. 

Dometic does not sell parts directly. They gave me the name of one of their parts distributers for additional tech support and parts if needed. Environmental Marine - 800-522-2656.

Environmental Marine indicated that the most likely problem is that the unit has never been serviced, Valves and seals in the pump itself should be changed every 2 years. There are several different systems so I need to take a pic and they will determine what repair kit I need. The kit contains duck-bill valves and o-rings and start at $160. Now we're talking real money! 

Will the warranty that I purchased when I bought the coach cover this type of repair?

I asked the warranty company and they said I needed to have a service center perform a diagnostic on the issue and submit the claim. Only then will they say whether it is covered or not. The service center at the dealership charges $149/hour labor. I don't know how long it will take or if the service is even covered under the warranty.  It could take as long as 2 weeks start to finish. What to do? What to do?

Questions to other VacuFlush users:

Has this type of claim ever been submitted as a warranty claim and covered?

Has anyone ever had the duck-bill valves and o-rings replaced by a mobile technician? Cost?

Has anyone ever replaced the duck-bill valves and o-rings as a DIY project? 

YouTube has a number of videos on this topic, but all of them are on boats.
It shouldn't be that different. I just need to have the right parts and the right tools.

Thanks In advance for any constructive input on this topic.

  

Dan McWhertor wrote:

I guess I need to throw my hat into the ring on this topic.

We bought a 2014 Bounder 35K in October 2018. At that time we did not understand the workings of the VacuFlush system. After our first outing, I researched and learned about the red and green status lights. It was never going to green indicating a vacuum leak somewhere. We were still in the purchase warranty period. The dealer made good by finding the leak and replacing the base unit on the 1/2 bath unit. On inspection, it went to green, so I signed off on the fix. I should have left the system run longer during the inspection to be sure there were no issues when the pump switch is left on.

On later trips we noticed that the status light would go from green to red, for no apparent reason, and the vacuum pump runs indefinitely. 

I inspected around each toilet and noticed some water around the one in the 1/2 bath. Dometic/SeaLand tech support said to start with the most common problem, the half-clamps that fasten the bowl to the base. Their instructions were to be sure the worm drive on the band was at the back of the bowl. The half-clamps meet in the front and are gapped at the back initially. With the worm-drive on the band at the back, it was closing the gap properly. If the worm clamp is anywhere else, the band needs to slide on the half-clamp and it will not be as effective. This solves the water issue behind the 1/2 bath base, but after a while, I still go from green to red. There is still a leak in the vacuum system somewhere!. 

Dometic does not sell parts directly. They gave me the name of one of their parts distributers for additional tech support and parts if needed. Environmental Marine - 800-522-2656.

Environmental Marine indicated that the most likely problem is that the unit has never been serviced, Valves and seals in the pump itself should be changed every 2 years. There are several different systems so I need to take a pic and they will determine what repair kit I need. The kit contains duck-bill valves and o-rings and start at $160. Now we're talking real money! 

Will the warranty that I purchased when I bought the coach cover this type of repair?

I asked the warranty company and they said I needed to have a service center perform a diagnostic on the issue and submit the claim. Only then will they say whether it is covered or not. The service center at the dealership charges $149/hour labor. I don't know how long it will take or if the service is even covered under the warranty.  It could take as long as 2 weeks start to finish. What to do? What to do?

Questions to other VacuFlush users:

Has this type of claim ever been submitted as a warranty claim and covered?

Has anyone ever had the duck-bill valves and o-rings replaced by a mobile technician? Cost?

Has anyone ever replaced the duck-bill valves and o-rings as a DIY project? 

YouTube has a number of videos on this topic, but all of them are on boats.
It shouldn't be that different. I just need to have the right parts and the right tools.

Thanks In advance for any constructive input on this topic.

  

Go to IRV2.com, there are a number of threads on this topic and some have pictures of the duckbill valves being replaced.  I replaced mine myself on our 2015 Bounder 35K.  It does require some "finagling" of your body, tools and two panel removal.  I found an adjustable aluminum stand that I stretched out on and completed the repair in relative comfort.  I tried to attach pictures but was not successful.