Removing vacuflush from 10 meter

[Weldguy]

I have a 1982 10 meter and I need to work on the vacuflush head. Can anybody help me with removing the head from its enclosure? I think I will have to cut some kind of access through the forward enging bulkhead. I do have the seal (caulking) cut loose and the seat bolts out so the toilet is loose but the lever-flush mechanism will not allow me to withdraw it from inside the head. Any advice is appreciated.

[RWS]

No cutting is necessary.

You can access the head and all parts with no saw.

First, tell us what the problem is and where you are with the project/repair.

Properly maintained, the Vacuflush is one of the most effective, reliable and trouble free on board sanitation systems available.

RWS

[Weldguy]

I need to put a new seal and ball in it. The seal leaks so if the vacuum pump is left on it will kick on every ten or fifteen minutes. Although I was able to reach the seat bolts through the molded in trash cover next to the sink I cannot reach any other component of the vacu-flush. The base of the toilet is inaccessable from inside the head enclosure and it looks like the only access is through the engine compartment. I just want to get the toilet out so I can install new parts on it. I am sure it is a great piece of equipment. Thanks for responding.

[RWS]

Before tearing it all apart, try soaking the seal in baby oil.

A squirt of baby oil 3-4 times a year will keep it supple and soft as a baby's behind.

There is a deck plate on the rh side of the head.

If your hands are too lagge to fit comfortably inside, simply remove the collar.

The porcelin part of the bowl itself - and yes, it's really porcelin is simply sealed to the housing as I recall, but it seems that you do have to remove the lid bolts as well.

I removed mine to replace the hose and rebuild the valve not due to any failure, but just because I was relocating the vacuum tank during a major refit.

As I recall it was a PITA, but I did not need to cut any holes.

RWS