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Old 10-20-2016, 07:01 PM   #1
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Grey Valve won't close completely

Our grey waste water tank valve won't close all the way. It is the grey valve for the shower area. We are on the road and will want to do any repairs ourselves. Are there any schematics for opening up the underbelly on our 2013 Cardinal? Any help would be welcoming.
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Old 10-21-2016, 06:25 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by NewBirds View Post
Our grey waste water tank valve won't close all the way. It is the grey valve for the shower area. We are on the road and will want to do any repairs ourselves. Are there any schematics for opening up the underbelly on our 2013 Cardinal? Any help would be welcoming.
I cant answer your question directly. But in a pinch, you can put one of these on the sewer connection. I had leaky ones too, straight from the factory. It was going to be a few weeks before I could get the unit to the dealer(warranty), so I bought one of these:

Twist-on Valve - Valterra T58 - Sewer Fittings & Adapters - Camping World
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Old 10-21-2016, 06:46 AM   #3
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That valve is a great idea!

Also wonder if your valve might have debris in it?
My current trailer gray water valve suddenly wouldn't shut all the way
once also. I found a potato chip looking piece of plastic caught in the valve.
At first I thought it was the waste cut from the hole saw when they
drilled the opening in the top of the tank but I think mine was actually a
big splash of some sort of glue that got dripped into the tank and managed
to lodge in the valve.
Either way can you see/feel/poke with a clothes hanger in there and try
to dislodge what ever is keeping it from shutting?

Good luck!
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Old 10-21-2016, 08:54 AM   #4
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Thanks to both of you. Luckily we were camping next door to an RV parts and sales shop. Got the part to fix it and special tape to patch the underside if we need it. Will try the coat hanger first.
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Old 10-21-2016, 12:48 PM   #5
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Been there. Still there actually. Mine has done this several times. Each time it was construction trash caught in the valve. I just dumped the gray tank, reached in and pulled it out. I have used an inspection camera with a hook on the end to grab some bigger pieces. It still happens from time to time. Just don't try to force it closed or you may damage the valve. I sure hope the black tank never does it.
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Old 10-21-2016, 12:48 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by NewBirds View Post
Our grey waste water tank valve won't close all the way. It is the grey valve for the shower area. We are on the road and will want to do any repairs ourselves. Are there any schematics for opening up the underbelly on our 2013 Cardinal? Any help would be welcoming.
Same issue with kitchen grey when unit was new out of factory. Dealer said debris cause the problem you've been given some good suggestions here; a friend bought one of the attachment valves and likes it. Also heard using a garden hose (not drinking water hose) and putting it up the pipe to blow back or dislodge the blockage
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Old 10-21-2016, 02:28 PM   #7
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Even without leakage I use the extra valve. Never a surprise.
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Old 10-21-2016, 02:37 PM   #8
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Even without leakage I use the extra valve. Never a surprise.
X2!

Extra insurance.
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Old 10-21-2016, 02:50 PM   #9
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In Chattanooga a neighbor took the cover off the drain pipe to attach his sewer hose and got a huge black surprise. Went and bought the valve for him as a gift while he was cleaning the mess and bought one for my 5er at the same time. I think he was in the CG shower for an hour and still no one got close to him. His clothes went into the fire pit. Less than $30 and how much misery it can save.
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Old 10-21-2016, 09:45 PM   #10
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After emptying tank I put a toilet bowl brush up to the valve and give it a few turns. The bristles will reach into the valve slots and clean out the debris.
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Old 10-21-2016, 09:53 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NewBirds View Post
Our grey waste water tank valve won't close all the way. It is the grey valve for the shower area. We are on the road and will want to do any repairs ourselves. Are there any schematics for opening up the underbelly on our 2013 Cardinal? Any help would be welcoming.
I had the same problem with my Wildcat. The dealership's service guys said there was construction debris in my valve and that they had removed it. Oops..... problem not solved, not even altered. I crawled under the trailer and investigated the problem myself (where have I heard that advice?). I didn't have enough of the dump valve cable (center) slide wire sticking out of the cable sheath to allow enough slide wire travel to close the valve completely. I peeled off another 3/4" to 1" of outer sheath to expose more slide wire and reinstalled. All is well.
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Old 10-21-2016, 09:56 PM   #12
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X2!

Extra insurance.
X3
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Old 10-22-2016, 04:03 PM   #13
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Grey Valve Repair

Today we did our valve repair. It took us 3 hours and we were both under the rig on cement (thank goodness). We had to cut the underbelly and take out the valve. We had to wiggle out a 4 inch long piece of curved wood 1-1/5 inches thick out of the opening. A nice big chunk of wood from the construction. We used Gorilla Tape to seal the cut area. Also, inserted some bounce sheets to deter mice. Thanks again for everyone's help.


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Old 10-22-2016, 08:12 PM   #14
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Wow!! If you knew it was wood, could have shoved a beaver down the hole.
Seriously; that is amazing !! How in heck did they mess up and leave that
hunk of wood in there!!
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Old 10-22-2016, 09:11 PM   #15
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Wow!! If you knew it was wood, could have shoved a beaver down the hole.
Seriously; that is amazing !! How in heck did they mess up and leave that
hunk of wood in there!!
"mess up and leave that
hunk of wood in there!" ~~ mess up or think it funny or just too lazy to do the job correctly? Too big a hurry or just zero pride in self and job?
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Old 10-23-2016, 07:54 AM   #16
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The pride and workmanship in this country is gone. Many say what's in it for me. Or I'm not getting paid enough to do it perfect. "Oh, well". I can't stand hearing that anymore. We will still have pride in our lives and proud if it.
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Old 01-02-2017, 07:06 PM   #17
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Just a note. There are underbelly ""patches"" available that have zippers and heavy duty tape so if need be in the future one can just unzip for inspection. I replaced my crappy cable valves with 12v electric valves by Valterra.
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Old 01-09-2017, 10:19 PM   #18
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Here did you find this patches with zippers?
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Old 01-09-2017, 10:49 PM   #19
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Here is one...
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Old 01-09-2017, 11:08 PM   #20
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Thanks for the info
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