Problems with black and grey tank valves.

[2 Buckeyes]

We recently purchased our XLR Thunderbolt 385. We noticed on our first night that one of our grey tank valves was leaking. ( I should mention we have 2 grey and 1 black tanks ). We checked that our handles were all the way in and we still had a constant trickle of water coming from the dump pipe ( not sure the correct term). I put an external valve on the pipe to remedy this and we have since moved to our permanent summer home. We hooked up our sewer hose and opened both the grey tanks and figured this would hold us until we can take it in in the fall. Well, I was monitoring the black tank to see when we needed to flush and it went from 1/3 full to reading empty. I checked the handle for the black tank and it was all the way in. I then closed the external valve but left the grey tanks open and the black tank closed, Waited a full day and opened the external valve and was greeted with lots of brown toilet water. My thinking is I now have a grey and a black tank that will not close. We have cable valves on this. Any one else had trouble with these valves? We have heated and enclosed tanks and I am not handy enough to tear all that apart.

[northstar1960]

Originally Posted by 2 Buckeyes

We recently purchased our XLR Thunderbolt 385. We noticed on our first night that one of our grey tank valves was leaking. ( I should mention we have 2 grey and 1 black tanks ). We checked that our handles were all the way in and we still had a constant trickle of water coming from the dump pipe ( not sure the correct term). I put an external valve on the pipe to remedy this and we have since moved to our permanent summer home. We hooked up our sewer hose and opened both the grey tanks and figured this would hold us until we can take it in in the fall. Well, I was monitoring the black tank to see when we needed to flush and it went from 1/3 full to reading empty. I checked the handle for the black tank and it was all the way in. I then closed the external valve but left the grey tanks open and the black tank closed, Waited a full day and opened the external valve and was greeted with lots of brown toilet water. My thinking is I now have a grey and a black tank that will not close. We have cable valves on this. Any one else had trouble with these valves? We have heated and enclosed tanks and I am not handy enough to tear all that apart.

All you can do is open the valve and see whats up . 4 7/16 nuts/bolts on the valves . most likely have a rolled seal if so willneed to install new seals in the valve . or you can operate valves several times and see if thaty correct the issues you could have something stuck in there . either way you'll need to take the valve apart .

[TXCPL]

Replacing valves is not A hard job, just a messy one if the valves are easily accessible. Have done it and only takes a few minutes per valve, if you have the right tools and parts. Be sure tanks are empty first. Parts are usually easy to find.

Good luck on your project.

[WolfWhistle]

My black dripped when new. The factory used too much PVC cement and it ran into the seal / blade area. Like N pointed out the seal might be screwed up... It is easy to do. Where's the quality control? Should every one be tested? I added a cable operated valve and fixed the leak and made the handle easy to reach.
WW

[B and B]

I fixed a dripping black tank with inexpensive cooking oil. Empty tank. Pour oil in. Lube gate an seal. Worked valve many times. Ran fine ever since.

[5picker]

There have also been reports of the cable operated valves not working correctly because of binding and/or improper routing of the cable from the handle to the valve.

It may be the blade isn't going shut because of the cable bind.
None the less... a bad seal or a binding cable means you are going to have to take something apart to find/fix.

[WolfWhistle]

I should have thought of this before making my first comment, but it is possible the cable is out of adjustment and isn't closing all the way. If you can get to the valves, you can try grabbing the cable right at the valve and see if you can get some movement towards, if so, you should be able to adjust it.
WW

[NMWildcat]

All the above are good solutions but before I got too serious about it I would use lots of water and work the valves back and forth to see if there is any debris that can be cleared. If not.... then get all western with it

[Taranwanderer]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

All the above are good solutions but before I got too serious about it I would use lots of water and work the valves back and forth to see if there is any debris that can be cleared. If not.... then get all western with it

I second this opinion, plus after you flush the $h*+ out of it, I'd add a commercial valve lubricating product (or the aforementioned cooking oil) to lube your valve and seals. Good luck!