One tip I did see is to drill a small hole above the handle and spray silicone into the hole while moving the handle in and out. JavaScript is disabled. Hopefully, the valve just needed a little space and it opens after just a few turns. Plug the hole using a small screw so no waste water comes out of it when the valve is opened. You can reference numerous YouTube videos showing how to go about this, but the entire process should take less than an hour. Another area that you will want to inspect is the actual lever rod and cable if you have a remote location for the handle. Now work the valve open and closed a few times. Your email address will not be published. How to conquer the fear of breaking down in remote areas, Lawsuit could upend operations of Recreation.gov, Montana moves to save some campsites from filling up with out-of-staters, Fact-checking, ethics & corrections policy. Dear Charlie, To our readers: We NEVER have or will sell reader's data. Simply install the valve between your RV's sewer pipes and mount the handle on the end of the cable in a convenient, easy-to-access place. Be careful not to ding or in any way damage that steel rod, as a rough rod can create problemslike tearing up the shaft seal. Mor Ryde Disk Brakes - ALL 4 CALIPER TO AXLE TUBE BOLTS/NUTS WERE MISSING!!! For the gray, took the trap loose under the bathroom sink, emptied out the water, reconnected it and poured the vegetable oil down it. Occasionally, the valves are buried under the motorhome and controlled by a remote cable, which requires removing basement panels for service. . RV Daily Tips. All tanks are rotationally molded of a seamless one piece, non-corrosive linear polyethylene that meets FDA acceptance and complies with Coast Guard regulations. You can then refill the holding tank as usual. This method is kind of a long shot, especially if youre trying to unstick the black tank valve. On ours, it took putting about 1/2 gallon of oil in each tank and running it through twice to get them loosened up real good. Then you can screw a sheet metal screw into the . Takes less than half a second to open and close. But unless the choice of lubricants is one that will go into suspension with water, the lube will simply float on the top of the tank water and hang out there until you finally dump the tank. The gate is pulled aside, or open, by an attached stainless steel rod. 2) spray lube on the valve plungers. . A small T-shaped handle allows you to grab the rod and pull back the gate, permitting the contents to flush forth. Camco TST Drain Valve Lube is designed to lubricate plumbing lines while you drive. If you prefer, you can replace the entire valve. 2 Pro-Series S2VT valves with dual port modules, waterproof IP66 rated; 1 Double Switch Panels; 2 Single switches, sealed IP66, Carlingtech; 4 Interface Cables, IP 66, 20 Ft; Seals, Lube and Hardware for 2 valves; If the RV has three holding tanks, you need a Two Valve Kit plus the Single Valve Kit. Whats the best way to lubricate a sticky dump valve? All seams are solvent welded and have a 1" mounting flange. With the valve open and actuating rod exposed, wrap a rag around the rod, and grasp the rod firmly through the rag with a pair of pliers. Extend or open the rod and valve and apply the proper lubrication to the rod and run it in and out. To answer your question, some RVers swear by the addition of various kinds of oils to their holding tanks, via the drain. Works great. Holding Tank Dump Valves. Next, remove the valves from the flanges that hold them in place in the piping. Keep your tanks flushed out with clear water as often as possible. You can absolutely feel the difference when the oil begins to cover the surfaces of the valve itself. A sticky holding tank valve is a pain in the neck. I do lube the pull handles. DO NOT USE the old standby, WD-40. I've had some success with 2 approaches: 1) vegetable oil and dawn liquid dish soap down the drain into the tank, and lubricant spray into the sewer outlet. All that goop in your black water and gray water waste tanks is held in place by the tanks dump valves. Close the gate and apply a thin coating of grease to both sides. See Also:Best Portable Power Station/Solar Generator For Camping. Do You Have to Be an Escapees Member to Stay at Escapees RV Parks? Then when done with gray valve, removed oil from trap and used it down the toilet for the black tank valve. I have occasionally sprayed the cables the same way as you which really helps. Because the valve needs to be connected at the base of the holding tanks, these cable gate valves are used so the handle can still be by the waste outlet where you connect the sewer hose. You can also inspect the seals during this process to make sure they are still in good condition. Home Fix For Hard To Open & Close RV Black Or Grey Tank Valves. RV Lock Replacement. Eco-Save Original Formula is a cleaner and odor remover that's said to be safe for all RV holding tanks. How to Market Your Business with Webinars. Make sure to lubricate the valve blade and put a leak-free gasket around it. You just need enough to get it to the valve and it gets diluted even when the tank is empty, which the almost never really are. This is both an "FYI" and "what do ya think" kind of post. The front gray drains out of the same outlet as the 2 black tanks. They have 4 tanks, 5 if you include fresh water. Its time to replace it. Kitchen galley gray tank drain is up underneath, by the actual drain, about 12-18 inches in front. i tried lubing the cable, pull the valves and installed new seals, tried cooking oil in my tanks before i used them, to lube the actual valve, none of this worked. I believe in the spring I'm going to add the valterra dump gate to the outside edge of the dump tube for both the gray tank and the black tank dumps and not use the OEM valves except when it's below freezing (then I'd dump the lower valves that are below . Sometimes a simpler solution is all thats necessary. I have keep my valve at the 5:00 oclock position but first spray with silicone been that way since 2013 now 2021. The Glamping Guys 6.73K subscribers Subscribe 8.7K views 2 years ago #gaycouple #rvlifestyle. Russ. (also mineral oil does not congeal in cold weather)cheap ire dressing and doesnt hurt the rubber is to wipe them with dish-soap after cleaning..looks nice and makes tire self cleaning during rain storms!!!!!.LOL!!! We do try our best (time permitting) to keep most music in our videos original. Once you detach the valve, clean around the seals and gaskets. Another great thing about it is you probably already have everything you need to do it on hand. Simply remove the valves after the tanks have been emptied and flushed, remove the seals and thoroughly clean the valve. Click to visit Daves forum. Youll want to keep the rod well lubricated. Hope it helps. I did not use much and I only worked the rod a little, being unsure if I was performing a useful process. Pour 1/4 bottle in each drain. Its also a great way to prevent RV gate valves from getting sticky in the future. First, keep the rod well lubricated. Manually operated valves require considerable effort to operate, and there may be instances where the valve fails to function as intended. Gonna give it a try thanks for the tip! Did the drill hole only difference used a small self tapping screw very gently so not to strip it out worked like a champ thanks. ALTERNATE METHOD But for those who would like to know more, heres how the job has been explained to us: With the valve closed, in the area immediately adjacent to where the stainless-steel actuating rod comes out of the holding tank valve, bore a 3/16-inch hole through the plastic and into the cavity. Thetford makes a lot of RV products, including toilets and portable holding tanks. If you are going to use grease a on this valve I suggest a food safe grease. 29 plumtrees road newtown, ct; popular subdivision names; how to cite the implicit association test You can revoke your consent any time using the Revoke consent button. I havent actually tried this by putting a small amount in a jar and letting it sit, but I think that I will the next time I use some. 2 blacks, 2 grays. Only lubricated 2 times but started sticking after all these years. Perhaps you had a great day planned with your spouse, but it gets ruined because you broke your black tank valve in frustration that morning trying to dump your tanks. This wrench is designed with grooved pins to hold the camshaft pulley stationary while loosening and tightening the center shaft bolt While useful on most Asian overhead cam engines, it is most needed on transverse mounted V6 engines such as the VG30 used in Nissan Maximas, as well as, the 3VZFE and lMZFE engines used in Toyota Camrys. Caravan RV Auto Electrical i am a mobile service and also can do in house and pick up from 674 port wakefild road green fields SA i can supply and fit All types of Accessories for your caravan RV we can supply and fit Diesel heaters and we stock most parts Description Specifications: Model:FJH-5/2 Heater Power: 5KW Fuel Gasoline:Diesel Rated . A little plastic gate rides between two rubber seals (one on the outside of the gate and one on the inside), preventing the stuff from rolling out. thr handle works but it is out but nothing coming out. It is recommended to occasionally lubricate the rod with a dry lube such as 3-in-1 spray or CRC. Your Guide to Understanding Encore RV Resorts, The Best Good Sam Club Campgrounds in the US. There are other methods of lubricating things. Both valves are at the back of the tanks near the end of the dropped frame. I have replaced both gray water valves on my TT because of too much glue during construction. Again, its an easy fix, if done properly. The RVers are usually referring to the black 3-inch gate valve on their black holding tank. Now "work" the valve open and closed a few times. Lets take a closer look at how you can prevent and fix this issue while saving money by doing it yourself. Molycoat is what I use too and it works really well. Thank you! If there is no lube to try, Ill have to give a shot at tearing into the back of the wet bay. Most RVs with cable pull or rod-actuated valves are positioned in the side or 3 oclock side of the exit pipe, allowing this contaminated water to lay in the bottom of the body and creating this issue over time. Laying on your back it is almost impossible to reach the upper bolts to remove the valve from the line. I am quite sure that they tell you not to use WD-40 on them. Works great. NPS calls out YouTube and TikTok users. I think will go out right now and spray and work the hell out of it and see if it loosens up. The Valterra gate valve is the most common model used by RV manufacturers. Rockport TX. I will do this with only about 2-3 gallons of water for sloshing and just before a trip. Try adding more than the recommended dosage to increase the chance of it getting to the valve. WATCH VIDEO Stabilizer Jack Replacement Do-It-Yourself When it is time to replace your RV stabilizer jack, follow Matt and Bart as they demonstrate how easy it is to do this yourself. Thank you for stopping by. 5 Regrets of RV Camping in a National Park. The process of lubricating the valve is simple. In addition, after cleaning the tank, i would try to tilt the rig away from the valve to preclude that last bit of water from escaping. For the black tank, just pour down the toilet. These Are the Best Vans for Vanlife in 2023, The Vintage Spartan Trailer is Still a Hot Commodity, These Manufacturers Let You Create a Custom RV, The Grooviest Vintage Motorhomes You Have to See. Its especially worth doing if youre consistently having problems. Long time ago a tech told me to use water pump lubricant in the waster water tanks to keep seals pliable and free. Some RVers who have been flummoxed by sticky valve handles have gone a step further than the simple advice to lube it every now and then. Made with a special biodegradable formula, Thetfords gate valve lubricant is safe to use in RV plumbing and holding tanks. RV Holding Tank Dump Valves. here is the latest on the stuck valves. The cables were also fairly level with no sharp bends. I installed screws into drilled out holes to seal them in between adding lube. Provides an easy way to open and close the remotely installed valve. Sorry for the late reply. If you like the hole drilling method make sure you spray lubricant inside the gate valve once or twice every year to keep it working correctly. It sounds like there is or was a build up in your black tank causing it to not drain. The RVers are usually referring to the black 3-inch gate valve on their black holding tank. An understanding of how dump valves work helps us take better care of them. Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the RV Handbook as well as the Managing Editor of the RV Repair Club. Any suggestions for enclosed tanks and valves? vinessa vidotto parents. The odds of this working are greater in the grey tank but it could still work in the black tank as well. Fix For Hard To Open & Close RV Black Or Grey Tank Valves. If you plan to attempt this we highly recommend you put the hole in the thickest part of the valve which is the TOP or where the SS shaft comes out of the body when you pull on it. 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout. Now turn the handle counter-clockwise by hand to remove it, and screw a new one on firmly. Thetford makes what they advertise as a valve lubricant. Once the hold is drilled put the nozzle straw that came with the can of lubricant into the hole and spray lubricant inside the gate valve until its filled with lubricant. How do you lubricate RV holding tank valves and cables? Then we pull each valve a few times to lubricate the action. Read more. Why Do People Put Pool Noodles on Their RV Slideouts? Can Different RVs Use The Same Door Key? Please follow these rules when commenting on RVtravel.com. When RV heat is on, cabinets and counters get hot. There is a rubber seal on each side, which should be conditioned at least at the time of storage and a few times during the camping season. Replacing a BAL Accu-Slide slide-out clip-in style wiper seal, New lube product coming soon for CP4 pumps. We use a variety of \"free\" music resources, but one of our favorites is www.bensound.com \rQuestions about our editing \u0026 music?\rInquire at e-mail below.\r\r\r****************\rCAMERA GEAR\r****************\rCanon G7X Mark II\riPhone XS MAX\rZhiyun Smooth 4 Gimbal\rDJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone\rRode VideoMic\r\r\r************ \rTRUCK/RIG\r************\r2015 FORD Powerstroke 350 Diesel\r2018 Grand Design Solitude 344GK-R 37ft Fifth Wheel\r\r\r***************\rSOUNDCLOUD\r***************\rBy popular demand, here's The Glamping Guys Soundtrack! Many trailers will have the handle on one side and a cable running across to the tank. Having problems with your RV black tank can cause you much frustration. By continuing to use our site, you consent to accepting cookies. We've been camping a long time and in several different kinds of camping units having dump valves but have never heard this tip before! What I also do after rinsing the black tank is open and close the black valve while dumping the gray tank, the soap tends to help lube the black valve seals. You are using an out of date browser. Your ice cube tray does a lot more than just make ice, Holy federal film permit, Batman! To install, remove the broken waste valve and seals from your holding tank. Either pull the rod out by hand or grip the broken piece with pliers and slide it out a little. The biggest way to prevent a sticky black tank valve is proper maintenance. You can also try tapping on your RV black tank valve with a hammer. They did work but were very hard to pull out and push in. Thermal Package Plus. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Its completely normal for this to happen. Thanks for your interest. Soak the valves in hot water with some detergent, making sure to leave the gates open. Try going to a motorcycle dealership/repair shop. By Doug Swarts Likewise, to prevent gunk buildup and maintain pliable seals, you can pour vegetable oil down the drain and allow it to coat the RV waste valve. We travel full time in our RV and write about what we learn and share our experiences. It might still be pretty hard to open but hopefully, enough of the lubricant was able to get inside the valve to loosen it. Terry and Jo2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB32008 Ford F450 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout Our photos on Smugmug, Bill Joyce, 40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape HybridJournal at http://www.sacnoth.comFull-timing since July 2003. These are 15 of our favorite songs/themes/scores that Tod has created for our YouTube channel. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Dave recommends applying silicon to the shaft, rather than WD-40, which will clean the grease and rid of the natural oils that help the valve slide fluidly. Regardless of this potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers. After getting the oil in the tanks, work the valves open an closed several times to work the oil into the gate seals until they slide easily. The valves are secured in place by 4 - 7/16ths inch nuts and bolts. Theres a parallel to the old You dont miss your water until your well runs dry tune. Who Owns Loki Expedition (Formerly Basecamp)? It is not really magic, but it is cheap, eco-friendly and it helps. Lubricating from the inside of the black and grey tanks is the best and easiest way to do it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Get exclusive tips and tricks to save your money and time in the RV lifestyle! See Also:Can Different RVs Use The Same Door Key? Rating Easy fix by: Anonymous Tap on inner gate with a 2x2 and hammer. When you dump a tank and the handle is pulled to the open position, simply shoot the stainless rod with a good shot of lubricant spray containing silicon or Teflon. Driving around with the lubricant in the tank will help it sink to the bottom faster. When you spray your slide-outs with lubricant each month, go ahead and spray your black tank valve as well. My thought is that products like the Thetford one that is mentioned, are a compound that is actually heavier than the water, and they probably sink to the bottom of the tank and collect at the seal. The contents inside the valve dry out causing the valve to stick. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. how to pronounce canadian cities. 2022 RVTravel.com All rights Reserved. This website utilizes some advertising services. Is It Time to Replace Your Waste Tank Gate Valve? Then dump in as much water as you can. A plumber friend of mine told me to use it on my clean outs when I plumbed my house. Little did I know theres actually a simple fix to this issue that will also help keep the valves opening easily in the future. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wU-a8W44_4), NO MESS: At-home RV body valve repair is mess-free for your convenience, VERSATILE: Bladex valve is compatible with GrenTec, Blade, Valterra, Bristol, and Anonda valves. Status: Offline. RV Mirrors; RV Window Parts . Hardware. RV drain valve lubricant is to be used when the RV holding tanks are empty. By continuing to use our site, you consent to accepting cookies. Where Can I Have Packages Delivered While On The Road. You must log in or register to reply here.