Help - Thetford cassette stuck (29 Viewers)

[Gazuk]

There's always something every trip.,

And this trip it's the toilet.

So, I have a Carthago C Tourer with SOG system.

Firstly I noticed the blade wasn't closing, just the mechanism underneath it. No big deal I thought, just keep toilet lid shut and buy new cartridge when we get back.

Anyway , when cleaning out the cassette I decided to have a mess and managed to get the blade back in place and working when I operated the catch.

Put the cassette back and noticed the SOG system motor came straight on. Won't go off whatever I do with the catch inside the bathroom and the cassette won't come out as I assume the mechanism that locks it into place is permanently engaged.

I accept the the cassette is totally buggered, but anyone got any ideas how I cam remove it?

What started as a simple cassette swop now looks like a garage job

We also had to turn The Motorhome pump off to stop the SOG system running.

Fortunately we are near the site's toilets.

 

[Carpmart]

The SOG fan is operated via switch that closes the circuit when the hatch is opened. Your two issues are linked, in-so-much as the blade is not completely closed, so the fan is running.

Take the cassette to the Elsan point, give it a good clean and get stuck in to fixing it. It will be something simple and once you’ve got the inspection hatch unscrewed on the cassette you can get arm deep and sort it all out!

 

[MisterB]

I don't know your particular model of sog etc or toilet, but most cassettes have replacement parts available, so you might be better off just repairing your current cassette, even if just for a spare?

I assume as it seems to be stuck and as the fan is on permanently that the two issues are linked

 

[DavidG58]

I think the OP said he can’t get the cassette back out now, it’s stuck in

Best of luck, but I reckon a big pull and see what happens , tie handle to car if your not feeling strong enough, that should do it

 

[Minxy]

The SOG fan is operated via switch that closes the circuit when the hatch is opened. Your two issues are linked, in-so-much as the blade is not completely closed, so the fan is running.

Take the cassette to the Elsan point, give it a good clean and get stuck in to fixing it. It will be something simple and once you’ve got the inspection hatch unscrewed on the cassette you can get arm deep and sort it all out!

Bit difficult as he said

the cassette won't come out

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[Minxy]

You somehow need to get the blade fully engaged by using the lever inside, failing that make a hole in the blade itself so you can put something in it to make a 'handle' to be able to pull it fully closed, once you do that the cassette should be able to be removed.

 

[Carpmart]

Double

 

[Carpmart]

Bit difficult as he said

Yes it won’t come out as the blade isn’t closed fully, hence the SOG fan running!

He needs to fully close the blade, then it will come out!

 

[ChrisL]

Can you tell us what model cassette you have, it may help. When you open the door can you see where the blade turning lever on the cassette engages with the slot that is turned by the lever by the bowl this needs to be pointing inline with the cassette you should be able to get some french pliers in there to give extra leverage to turn it, once turned you should be able to remove the cassette and work on it.

 

[Gazuk]

Thanks for the replies.

I did get inside the cassette via the access hatch (thanks ytube) but I have made it worse and the cassette is stuck as I said.

The round blade is attached to a mechanism underneath that is working fine. It's just the round blade is stuck open and I can't move it. I can grab the edge with my fingers but it won't move and I don't want to be too aggressive as it's only plastic. I like the idea of putting a hole in it and trying to drag it across. Will have to wait till I get home as I have nothing here to do that.

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[ChrisL]

Thanks for the replies.

I did get inside the cassette via the access hatch (thanks ytube) but I have made it worse and the cassette is stuck as I said.

The round blade is attached to a mechanism underneath that is working fine. It's just the round blade is stuck open and I can't move it. I can grab the edge with my fingers but it won't move and I don't want to be too aggressive as it's only plastic. I like the idea of putting a hole in it and trying to drag it across. Will have to wait till I get home as I have nothing here to do that.

Can you take a picture for us?

 

[Gazuk]

Can you tell us what model cassette you have, it may help. When you open the door can you see where the blade turning lever on the cassette engages with the slot that is turned by the lever by the bowl this needs to be pointing inline with the cassette you should be able to get some french pliers in there to give extra leverage to turn it, once turned you should be able to remove the cassette and work on it.

Its the standard c250/260 I think, but I can't get at the blade turning leave as there is no room in the hatch

 

[ChrisL]

Its the standard c250/260 I think, but I can't get at the blade turning leave as there is no room in the hatch



View attachment 953769

I see your predicament, there's a fair bit more space in mine but it's C200. I wish you luck with it.

 

[Gazuk]

Can you take a picture for us?

The picture below shows the blade half across and the mechanism underneath fully engaged

The cassette was thoroughly cleaned before I started messing.

 

[ChrisL]

The picture below shows the blade half across and the mechanism underneath fully engaged

The cassette was thoroughly cleaned before I started messing.



View attachment 953770

The blade itself just sits in the groove of the actuating arm that you can just see, it has jumped out of the groove and is likely stuck against the top of the cassette, you might try pushing gently down on the arm and trying to slide the blade back into the groove. I had my C200 apart to fit a new blade arm seal so had a similar issue trying to get the blade arm connected back up.

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[Lenny HB]

Put your arm through the hole you should then be able to swivel the mechanism.

The usual problem is the pillars that the screws go into that hold everything in place brake off. You can glue them back on with Epoxy.

A new mechanism is about £40, repair the old one and keep as a spare.

 

[ChrisL]

Put your arm through the hole you should then be able to swivel the mechanism

He only has access from the toilet bowl as the blade is stuck open so he can't remove the cassette.

 

[Lenny HB]

He only has access from the toilet bowl as the blade is stuck open so he can't remove the cassette.

That's why I said put your hand down the hole, down it myself when I had the same problem.

 

[Nanniemate]

Oo a toilet thread with pictures

 

[ChrisL]

That's why I said put your hand down the hole, down it myself when I had the same problem.

I forget not everyone has hands as big as mine, they only just fit with the securing ring removed I'd never get then in from that end

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[mitzimad]

I just wiggle mine whilr she wiggles the lever inside always pops out eventually

 

[Gazuk]

The usual problem is the pillars that the screws go into that hold everything in place brake off. You can glue them back on with Epoxy.

Spot on. I had already retrieved an arc shaped piece of plastic with 3 snapped pillars.

Unfortunately my hand is far too big to get onto the whole. The wife tried but only managed to pull if a white plastic thing. I'll try and get he back on it tomorrow.