Sealand Traveler toilet leaking/dripping/dribbling

[jhodgski]

When I flush my toilet for longer than a second or two, water drips from the top of this part behind the toilet (see attached photo)

From https://www.norfolkmarine.co.uk/shop-online/sealand-vacuum-breaker-assembly-dometic-3606-toilet-p-26979.html?osCsid=530f18eaabbecb630fd95d2b846fa59b , it looks like the part is called a vacuum breaker assembly (VBA). But I'm not sure why it's started dripping.

I've taken the VBA off. Blocking its outlet with my hand, I don't have to blow that hard into the inlet for my breath to come out of the escape hole at the top (which is where the water is dribbling out from).

Do I need a new VBA? They cost £50, so what would the consequences be if, instead, I just blocked off the escape hole with some sealant?

If it's not the VBA that's the problem (or I shouldn't seal it off), I'm wondering if my water pump pressure / flow rate could be too high? Or maybe there is a blockage in the toilet flushing parts somewhere?

Any other suggestions/input welcome.

Cheers,
James

[pearley]

When ours started dribbling (Although it's a fraction of the size of yours) I just pulled it out and put a bead of silicone grease around the barbed part before pushing it back in. 

[jhodgski]

Hiya Pearley, Excuse my ignorance - which is the "barbed" part? (Mine is dribbling from that circular dome/cap at the top of the photo.)

[pearley]

On mine the vacuum breaker is a push fit into a large rubber grommet. The male bit of the breaker is barbed where it pushes into the female grommet. That's where I put the grease. 

[Bee]

I put some waterproof tape around mine, http://www.affixit.co.uk/Denso-Tape/Denso-Tape-50mm-X-10M.Html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4r_pkZrl2QIVJ7XtCh3Ybw0rEAQYAyABEgJOuPD_BwE It was very similar to this by the look of it but I can't remember what the name was.

[jhodgski]

OK, thanks Pearley, but mine is dripping from the top rather than where it goes into the porcelain.

Hiya Bee, where was your leak coming from / which bit did you tape up?

[Bee]

On mine it was dripping from where the rubbery effort poked into the porcelain, it was really difficult to see exactly what was going on so I just wrapped tape everywhere, an awful bodge really but saved £50, that was a couple of years ago.

[jhodgski]

I read this on the web...

The vacuum breaker is an important component of a bibcock valve or toilet flush valve. The purpose of this valve is to prevent contaminated water from backing up into the drinking water system if the public water system's pressure drops suddenly. It is important that the vacuum breaker is working its best 24/7.

...maybe I'd be best getting a new one.

The regulator on my gas bottle went this winter as well which had also served me for 20+ years. Maybe the cold has been taking its toll.