Thetford blade “welded” shut

[Riverbankannie]

This MH has been standing idle for an unknown amount of time due to last owners ill health.
Our friends have filled the bowl and now cannot open the blade. I would imagine it is stuck due to lack of use and not being lubricated.
We may have to ladle out the contents I suppose but suggestions please for loosening the blade
Thanks

 

[Figaro]

Silicone spray is what I'd try

 

[jockaneezer]

Just press down on it around it's edge, beware of splashback though !
Failing that, pull the cassette out and undo the screws that hold the seal in place, it'll come away then.

 

[tonka]

Seals can stick, hence why when left for a while it's always better to leave the flap open a little

 

[Riverbankannie]

Seals can stick, hence why when left for a while it's always better to leave the flap open a little

Absolutely,

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[BobtheBass]

Poo glue is like Uhu, a good whack with a blue shoe is needed to unscrew.

 

[TheBig1]

sticks like shit to a ..... er thetford

use an old blunt knife to break the seal. dont force the lever as it will break the plastic blade

 

[Riverbankannie]

We’ve got cassette put and year old poo inside and welded to seal.
Done a clean up best we could here and now works ok
I suggested to friends to get a new casssette (wife not seen condition) husband told me he’s going to clean up at home

 

[Caggsie1]

If empty, can they stick Ina bath of warm water? Leave for a few hours of even overnight.

 

[pappajohn]

Rubber seal has stuck to plastic blade.
Removal of seal may be the only solution and fit a new seal at the same time as there's a chance the lip on the old one may tear on removing from blade.
I doubt it will ever seal properly again anyway even if it doesn't tear.

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[JeanLuc]

husband told me he’s going to clean up at home

Himself, or the cassette?

 

[suavecarve]

Am i too late to suggest gloves then ?

 

[suavecarve]

OOhhhh oooooh oooooh

The wife says just drop the whole casette into the bath or similar in diluted milton (or wilkinsons cheap version of milton)

 

[Bognor Saint]

Don't use the ladle for soup is my only additional comment.

 

[tonyidle]

Just press down on it around it's edge, beware of splashback though !
Failing that, pull the cassette out and undo the screws that hold the seal in place, it'll come away then.

Noo - you'll have the bowl contents to clean out of base if you do that. Use something (a stick?) to press hard on the centre of the blade. You'll feel it free off.

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[Wildbill]

Big plunger and WD40

 

[peterc10]

Struggling to understand how they could fill the thing if the blade was stuck. But in any event they should still be able to empty it through the spout. Or have I misunderstood the problem?

 

[Mr Chrysalis]

Struggling to understand how they could fill the thing if the blade was stuck. But in any event they should still be able to empty it through the spout. Or have I misunderstood the problem?

Yes. Bowl above blade full. The OP didn’t say what with!

 

[Riverbankannie]

Struggling to understand how they could fill the thing if the blade was stuck. But in any event they should still be able to empty it through the spout. Or have I misunderstood the problem?

Yes you’ve misunderstood.....
The cassette did have some contents but that was over a year old from previous owner .

The toilet bowl was filled overnight with combination of wee and flush water by our friends.
Then in morning I was asked how to get it out of the bowl and into cassette because their lever wouldn’t work. That was when I discovered their blade stuck to the seal.
The funny thing was, when I asked the husband to press down on blade as per one of the earlier suggestions in this thread. What put my hand in there! It’s only your own wee says me. I even made him squeeze out the paper and put that in bin lol.
Then when enough of a gap had been formed, the liquid drained into cassette and we were able to remove the cassette.
Then he poked at the dried brown stuff on the blade with his finger. Don’t do that. ! I said
Why?
It’s dried on poo. !
You should have seen his face.

 

[TheBig1]

poo is only part digested food. people are so squeamish about it, but you happily wipe your own bum daily when its fresh and warm

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[Gaston aires]

Manufacturer says lubricate with silicone spray or even olive oil.
Phil

 

[Wildbill]

Manufacturer says lubricate with silicone spray or even olive oil.
Phil

I have ben using wd 40 for the last six years on my one but only when in use usually give it a squirt when I firs use the van on a trip
bill

 

[Riverbankannie]

poo is only part digested food. people are so squeamish about it, but you happily wipe your own bum daily when its fresh and warm

I agree.
I wasn’t going to do it for him just because he was quite capable but I would have.
Luckily his wife didn’t see any of this and he said, don’t tell her, especially when I told him the price of a Thetford fresh up kit. He said “I’ll clean it up and she will never know”

 

[Riverbankannie]

Manufacturer says lubricate with silicone spray or even olive oil.
Phil

Yes, thanks, I use the Thetford spray once every trip on clean up at home, that’s why I didn’t know what to do with a stuck one.

 

[Misterg]

poo is only part digested food. people are so squeamish about it, but you happily wipe your own bum daily when its fresh and warm

With your bare hand??

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[JeanLuc]

Manufacturer says lubricate with silicone spray or even olive oil.
Phil

..... and what about the cassette blade?

 

[Gaston aires]

That too.

..... and what about the cassette blade?

Phil

 

[Caggsie1]

So is it working now?

 

[Reallyretired]

I used to use olive oil, only the extra virgin stuff of course. I now use silicone spray, seems to work better/last longer.

 

[Riverbankannie]

So is it working now?

Yes all working fine, just a bit more cleaning to do

Anyway, so that they can make notes of what to do and so on, I have today ordered them their very own copy of @jim’s Motorhome Fun planner and diary.
Maybe they will join up!

On second thoughts, then they will see my posts