Black water tank vlave

Ron & Dee · 05-31-2016, 04:07 PM

Do these valves ever break and won't open?

I really don't know if I have an obstruction or the valve has broken. I was dumping the tanks yesterday and the tank dumped, but when I looked inside the toilet I could still see paper. So I filled the tank up with water through the flush connection and opened the valve but nothing would drain out. I did run a wires down inside the tank and scratch around a bit thinking if it was toilet paper I would bust it up.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Ron

ByeTheWay · 05-31-2016, 07:25 PM

Never heard of one getting stuck shut. They usually leak a little then leak more and more until the need to be replaced. I assume you are level enough to dump. I've seen un-level dump stations with the slope in the wrong direction.

You may have blockage in which case I'd keep water in it in hopes of dissolving the solids.

ChasA · 05-31-2016, 08:38 PM

Sounds like you have the PYRAMID OF DOOM. I would get a plumber's snake and run it up the drain output. I'd put a drain hose first.

TonyDi · 05-31-2016, 09:05 PM

You can buy an RV Hydro Flush. They are about $25

RV Hydro Flush 45 Degree - Valterra F02-4100 - Sewer Flushing - Camping World

Forcing water backward to the tank will usually clear the valve of obstructions.

Ron & Dee · 06-01-2016, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyDi

You can buy an RV Hydro Flush. They are about $25

RV Hydro Flush 45 Degree - Valterra F02-4100 - Sewer Flushing - Camping World

Forcing water backward to the tank will usually clear the valve of obstructions.

I ordered one of these, and hope it works. Have you used this and did it work?

Since the outlet is a Y, I'm wondering if the spray will go up into the black water tank discharge?

Thanks,

Ron

AFChap · 06-01-2016, 07:21 AM

If you have a cable release setup (handle you pull is not mounted right on the valve), the cable can come loose at either end. In that case, pulling the handle will have no effect on the valve. That would be more likely than a sudden obstruction.

Ron & Dee · 06-01-2016, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFChap

If you have a cable release setup (handle you pull is not mounted right on the valve), the cable can come loose at either end. In that case, pulling the handle will have no effect on the valve. That would be more likely than a sudden obstruction.

The valve is this type

3" Slide Valve with Gate Seals - Valterra T1003 VPM - Sewer Fittings & Adapters - Camping World

Thanks,

Ron

AFChap · 06-01-2016, 08:55 AM

With the handle mounted directly on the valve, you should be able to stick something up the sewer connection outlet and easily tell whether or not the valve is stuck shut.

But you mentioned a Y in the connection, splitting to both black and gray tanks. That is normally a cable operated setup. On my coach the valves are buried in the belly of the coach with lots of pipe & turns between the valve and the outlet. Using a backflush cap on the outlet would require me to fill all the drain pipe(s) with many gallons of water before it would force itself into a clogged tank that had the drain valve open. If both drain valves were closed (including one I think is open, but is actually stuck in the closed position), I suspect I would begin to have leaky connections when it pressurized with no place to go. I sure wouldn't want to over-pressurize a closed sewer pipe too much!!

Ron & Dee · 06-01-2016, 10:06 AM

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Thanks for all the help and replies.

Problem solved

I had a PICNIC more or less. Operator didn't pull the right handle, he pulled the left handle

AFChap · 06-01-2016, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron & Dee

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:

Thanks for all the help and replies.

Problem solved

I had a PICNIC more or less. Operator didn't pull the right handle, he pulled the left handle

Excellent resolution!! If only ALL our rv problems were so easily & cheaply resolved.