When RV heat is on, cabinets and counters get hot. By adding a Zerk fitting (grease fitting) to the dump valve assembly, they pump grease into the cavity around the steel rod. If you can get it open, dump your RV. The RVers are usually referring to the black 3-inch gate valve on their black holding tank. The biggest way to prevent a sticky black tank valve is proper maintenance. Find the exact marine boat parts you need online. Thats at least a 40+ year old trick and a great one to suggest to those who havent thought of it. I use the Valve Lub available at the RV store. Realizing this was a loosing battle, I cut the sewer line that is already exposed and inserted a ball valve with two rubber couplers. The handle will either be connected directly to the gate or it will be connected to a long cable that leads to the gate valve thats located further away. They recommend using 1/5th of the bottle with 4 gallons of water. We are here to help, call us at. 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. Kitchen Sink, 3 Burner Range, Refrigerator, Pantry and More! First, go to your sewage line where you dump the gray or black tank. Enter a Melbet promo code and get a generous bonus, An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. Let the lubricant sit for a few minutes so it has time to work on the gate inside the valve. RV drain valve lubricant is to be used when the RV holding tanks are empty. New cables work MUCH better than the OEMS ever did. One way to unstick your RV black tank valve is to put Dawn dish soap and water in your black tank and then drive around. I do that and it has served us well. Sometimes a simpler solution is all thats necessary. It works well but its not my favorite method for regular maintenance because it involves drilling a hole in the gate valve housing. The RV Proctologist gave my tanks and valves a good cleaning but the gray is still difficult. ; ; You must log in or register to reply here. Wait for 10 minutes to allow the lubricant to flow down the plumbing lines, into the grey and black tanks, and settle on the gate valves. Either pull the rod out by hand or grip the broken piece with pliers and slide it out a little. If there is no lube to try, Ill have to give a shot at tearing into the back of the wet bay. Its a relatively easy process that requires few tools. You are using an out of date browser. how to pronounce canadian cities. Detailed instructions can be found here. 2 blacks, 2 grays. Even though its meant to be used on empty RV holding tanks theres a chance RV drain valve lubricant will work anyways. Install a grease zerk or access port so the valve can be lubricated without removing the valve. The gate valves that open the black and grey tanks start to get difficult to open and close. I couldn't find much information at the company's website, especially with regards to its chemical make-up. That doesnt mean things wont break or crack, but do what you can to prevent such issues from happening. Oil that is just dumped into the tank while there is any water also in the tank will just float on the surface of the water, like it does in a jar of oil and water on the counter at home. Product information Technical Details Additional Information Feedback An understanding of how dump valves work helps us take better care of them. I think I saw a post a few weeks ago about something similar & he used canola oil, & dumped it in the tanks. NPS calls out YouTube and TikTok users. 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. Use Thetford RV drain lubricant regularly and make sure you are using RV black tank treatment and plenty of water after dumping. 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. However, there are products made specifically for this purpose. Your ice cube tray does a lot more than just make ice, Holy federal film permit, Batman! Apply a thin coating of grease to the seals and install them on the flanges. 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. new 2023 venture rv sporttrek st333vik travel trailer #1538 with 31 photos for sale in blue grass, iowa 52726 . I will do this with only about 2-3 gallons of water for sloshing and just before a trip. If you dump cooking oil, or another oil of that type, you arent accomplishing anything if there is any water in the bottom of the tank. Eco-Save Original Formula is a cleaner and odor remover that's said to be safe for all RV holding tanks. As a side note, the cable can get messed up sometimes. Menu and widgets There may be others I don't know. Plug the hole with a small screw. I suggest using water resistant WD-40 Specialist (click to view on Amazon) on the handles, but it won't work as well on the inner gate part. I asked that to the service manager at a SOB dealership, and he told me they use Murphy's oil. Double Slide Class A Mirada w/Bunk Beds, Rear Queen Bed w/Nightstands, Wardrobes w/LCD TV Above & Bunk Bed Slideout, Angle Shower, Sink, Toilet & Overhead Cabinet, LCD TV in Living Area, Booth Dinette & Sofa Slide, Euro Chair, Dbl. If the tank is almost full you might not be able to add any extra water, but thats ok. Leave a little space in the tank so the liquid and waste inside can slosh around and mix up the dish soap. Run the water until you smell the bleach, then let the tank sit for at least 24 hours after you have drained all the bleach water. Ive got a sticky gray valve but cant get to it as its enclosed. (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!!! Like adding water and treatment to the black tank. so should I leave alone and hope there is enough room for freezing expansion or should I use up room and put a gallon or so in my tank! I undid the black tank valve bolts and . Another help would be if the cables that are in the crawl space were run with as straight a shot as possible, or at least with large radius turns or bends. I have put vegetables oil in gray tank. If you want to edit a comment click the gear icon to the right of your comment and choose edit, or delete. If this trick doesnt work it may be time to head to an RV repair shop. 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. RV Mirrors; RV Window Parts . This can get kinked or rusted and make it hard to open and close the valve, as well. Finally, it will settle on the RV gate valve from inside the tank. Hardware. I dont know if this will cure your problem but it wont hurt. The cable style RV gate valve is usually found on large RVs that have the black and grey tank on the passenger side. Holman RV is not responsible for any misprints, typos, or errors found in our website pages. We are not lost in the Woods..Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!! Lubricating from the inside of the black and grey tanks is the best and easiest way to do it. Thats what campground bathrooms are for. If all else fails you can try loosening the bolts that are holding the gate valve together to release whatever is keeping it closed. Its also safe for sewers and ok to dump at RV dump stations. . Make sure not to tighten the bolts too much, or you risk cracking the flanges. You can absolutely feel the difference when the oil begins to cover the surfaces of the valve itself. All tanks are available with a 3" spigot fitting and 4 level sensors installed. Now finger-tighten the four bolts/nuts then use a wrench and tighten them to 20-inch pounds of torque OR no more than 1 1/2 full turns. Its not something you want to deal with as an RVer because of the nature of the beast but its a reality. But if youre in a tough situation with an RV holding tank valve that wont open when you need to dump your RV its a simple trick you can try. Driving around with the lubricant in the tank will help it sink to the bottom faster. Refill the tank, then run the water again, until the smell of bleach is gone. Clintoons: Ever wonder how these directions make sense? i finally went and bought new valves, they were cheep. Is the Thousand Trails Cabin Pass Worth It? Only lubricated 2 times but started sticking after all these years. But what if the valves are stuck closed and you have full holding tanks? You have 24 hours to edit a comment. Try adding more than the recommended dosage to increase the chance of it getting to the valve. Last year in Texas I started to squirt a lubricating/penetrating oil into each one of the cables where they pass through the dock center (if that makes sense). These Destinations Will Be Overrun With Tourists in 2023, The Highest Rated Campgrounds in North Carolina, Your Complete Guide to Marco Island Beaches, What People Really Think About Arrowhead RV Campground. Pro Tip: There a several methods for cleaning your black tank, find out which method is right for you. If you use RV holding tank cleaner and dump your tanks regularly, chances are pretty good . Mine are getting sticky, I am going to find that sprayer and foam adapter SOON. Dear Charlie, Camco TST Drain Valve Lube is designed to lubricate plumbing lines while you drive. I suggest using water resistant WD-40 Specialist (click to view on Amazon) on the handles, but it wont work as well on the inner gate part. 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. On our old travel trailer, I even ripped off the plastic handle to the black tank valve trying to get it to open. As weve said, were not recommending this procedure, only commenting on it. shot in dark but maybe you have answer. This spray is sticky and could cause issues with your seals down the road. Posted on June 27, 2022 by And no i probably wouldnt make a good mother. ) Most important, we want to hear from you so please leave us a comment.\rHAPPY GLAMPING \u0026 SAFE TRAVELS!\r\r\r****************\rVIDEO \u0026 MUSIC\r****************\rVideo \u0026 Editing by Jason Bowles\rOriginal Music by Tod Kimbro\rcopyright 2020 Tod Kimbro \rAll rights reserved.\rOriginal \u0026 copyright free music and/or a combination of is also used in some of our videos. DO NOT USE the old standby, WD-40. 1450 East Vienna Street, Anna, IL 62906. any ideas be very greatful. maybe a zit, but thats another problem for my teen years, Its been corrected. Living in Florida we don't put the RV into storage but I'll bet it would help if it sits for a month or so too. IN CONCLUSION Then, grip the metal rod behind the handle with pliers to hold it still and keep it from spinning while you replace the T-handle. Remove the valve from the flanges. Thank you for stopping by. Snaked the lines, drilled a hole, baking soda vinegar trick, and everything else under the sun. Just replaced all three pull cablesturned out to be a relatively simple jobat least that's what DH saidLOL! By code it's mandated that the sewer valves be positioned only so far from the tank outlet, so moving all three valves to the side of the coach may not be the best choice. In some cases the 1.5-inch gray valve gets sticky over time especially if the RVer is not using his RV full time. I wish there was some way to lube those cables up in there and maybe the gate valve itself. They act as a door that keeps the wastewater in the appropriate tank until you wish to empty it at an appropriate dump facility. Our tanks can be used for black and/or grey water. Then use a 1/4-inch x 28 thread tap to tap threads into this hole. 5 Regrets of RV Camping in a National Park. Whats the best way to clean an RV waste valve? i had the same problem plus mY black tank valve wouldn't shut all the way off. RV waste tanks have valves that hold the liquids inside the tank until you are ready to dump. You want the dish soap to reach the gate valve at the bottom of the tank. We have heard from a number of our customers that speculate this would be the answer to solve their problems once and for all. Give our video a thumbs up to like, share on your social media, and tell your friends. thr handle works but it is out but nothing coming out. As part of our winterizing process, I decided to pour vegetable oil into the gray and black water tanks and work the dump valves to lubricate them. Thank you! 3 bedroom house in south east london. How Much Does a Thousand Trails Membership Cost? The cable is very difficult to push/pull and due to it's position, directly under the water hose connection, gets some corrosion. Extend or open the rod and valve and apply the proper lubrication to the rod and run it in and out. drove the fiver around to lube up the valves, tried for two days to see if it was to work. 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. there's no adjustment for the RV sewer dump valve cables. Then dump in as much water as you can. I would do this as I was waiting for the tanks to dump not sure but I think they are starting to work easier. You can also try tapping on your RV black tank valve with a hammer. Please follow these rules when commenting on RVtravel.com. Is it possible that the application of petroleum-containing grease might cause the rubber seal to deteriorateeventually leading to a mechanical breakdown or possible leakage of holding tank contents? They work good now. Your email address will not be published. RV Holding Tank Dump Valves. 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. An initial plus first or last name is the minimum, we're all friends here. They may help keep the gate itself lubricated between the rubber seals. Simply remove the valves after the tanks have been emptied and flushed, remove the seals and thoroughly clean the valve. U got silicone greases too. Related Product: Install Valterra Electric RV Gate Valves (click to view on Amazon) so you never have to struggle to open holding tank valves again. To our readers: We NEVER have or will sell reader's data. 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. A small T-shaped handle allows you to grab the rod and pull back the gate, permitting the contents to flush forth. I installed screws into drilled out holes to seal them in between adding lube. All that goop in your black water and gray water waste tanks is held in place by the tanks dump valves. Thetford makes a lot of RV products, including toilets and portable holding tanks. You can also inspect the seals during this process to make sure they are still in good condition. Hows the lubrication to work there? As mentioned above, you can simply spray or rub the lubricant on the valve after youve dumped the black tank contents. In some cases the 1.5-inch gray valve gets sticky over time especially if the RVer is not using his RV full time. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You can do this during the year as well. Charlie. When I recover from surgery getting the MH ready for use is top of my list. Ron and Joan2005 Itasca Sunova 34A2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland. Doug is the founder of Drain Master.com Inc., Hollister, CA, which sells as well as installs Drain Master, Waste Master, 360 Siphon, HepvO and other RV waste-related products. Fix For Hard To Open & Close RV Black Or Grey Tank Valves. I use Liquid Wrench on all my cable ends once a year. Some manufacturers brag about lubricants that are added to their holding tank treatments. If the RV has three holding tanks, you need a Two Valve Kit plus the Single Valve Kit. Home Fix For Hard To Open & Close RV Black Or Grey Tank Valves. I don't know where I'm going but I'm on my way. Work the valve a few times in the water to ensure all of the residue gets cleaned out. I use a couple bottles of vegetable oil in the black water tank,after flushing well,then open and shut the valve quickly.Never had a problem with sticky valves since. -- Edited by Lucky Mike on Monday 17th of June 2013 03:50:42 PM, My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"Klee Kia Miniature Husky.(she Runs the ship!!). Now "work" the valve open and closed a few times. Manufacturer pictures, specifications, and features may be used in place of actual units on our lot. It is the most popular high-quality rubber protectant, so it should function in a similar way to the cooking oil/baby oil. I think will go out right now and spray and work the hell out of it and see if it loosens up. It is recommended to occasionally lubricate the rod with a dry lube such as 3-in-1 spray or CRC. If you break the valve, youll have more work to do and more money to spend replacing it. Buy an RV, sell your RV, or both? Travel Trailer. The handle that pulls or pushes the gate, and the gate that holds or releases the contents of the holding tank. There are two moving parts on RV gate valves. Remove the bolts securing the valve. If you dont have Thetford RV drain valve lubricant on hand another thing you can try to lubricate the RV gate valve thats stuck closed is dish soap and water. oz. Please be as brief as possible. Learn how your comment data is processed. We sold our home in April 2018 to downsize into a Grand Design 344GK-R 38ft Fifth Wheel. The system I am familiar with uses molydinum in suspension. In order to be effective, the lubricant needs to be in contact with the rubber in the valve. Serving RVers for more than 20 years. We travel full time in our RV and write about what we learn and share our experiences. Some do it 3-4 times a year when the rig is in service as well. See Also:Best RV Sewer Hose Kits Reviewed & Rated. Its called, Youve got no place to go if your holding tank valves wont open.. (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. 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!