Another toilet thread! Dometic toilet problems opening valve

[hja]

We have a Dometic toilet with a handle at the front of the loo which you pull forward to open the "valve" so you can use the loo. Ours has become increasingly stiff over the two years we have had the van. Now really difficult to open & close. We have had the cassette out, used silicon spray and petroleum jelly (couldnt find silicon gel) on the valve, the two metal rods that the handle pulls, all the bits that seem to involved, and nothing seems to make much difference. Sometimes it seems to ease a bit, but as soon as cassette is returned to housing, or shortly afterwards, it is as bad as ever.
We have considered buying a new cassette in case ours is deformed in some way, but £150/£170 is a lot to spend if that is not the answer!
Has anyone any suggestions?
Thanks

 

[Landy Andy]

Take the blade section out of the cassette and liberally spray with silicone spray. This will solve your problem

BUT

Also inform your other half you have done this, or they apply the same pressure as was required, and then you need a new blade.

 

[hja]

Well I may have solved it. Fingers crossed. I was considering taking the top of, as LA suggested. Found a you tube video on how to do so - didnt look complicated (it wasnt). Took top of, cleaned really well, siliconsprayed everything that moved, put it all back. Cassette back in the van. We are not away, so checked in a couple of days, really stiff again! By this time I had sourced some silicon grease. So, off with the top and put grease around, especially on the two metal rods. Seemed OK. Back in the van, been checking every so often, and today still OK. So hopefully solved. I guess that if being used regularly it will be less of a problem.
Thanks for your help.

 

[ontheroadagain]

We also have a Dometic toilet. It appears to need regular treatment with silicone grease to keep it all working. Don’t use petroleum jelly as it is not good for rubber seals.