Cannot open the Black Tank "valve"

[Patrick45]

I have a new Cottage and I find myself unable to open the dank to DUMP. There is resistance when I pull the handle but nothing happens. I have done a hose from top and bottom as well as a snake from both directions to no avail. I am waiting for a repair service to come out but I wait. Forest River will of course cover this but until then. The strange thing is the tank reads 1/3 full. I know they typically don't work when they read FULL when it is empty.

Is there a way from underneath to pull what must be a stuck gate?

[life2short4nofun]

The gauges are not always right. I had one not open I just worked it back in forth fast and it opened. The other day one of my grays said it was 3/4 full. So to make sure I went out closed it ran water then opened it and saw the water run out. The gauge is just not reading right now tomorrow it might be fine.

[jimh]

any possibility it could have ice in it (frozen)?

[TURBS]

The geo-method will greatly increase the accuracy of the sensors.

Many will say switching to horst probes makes sensor accuracy even better.

Geo-method May help sticking valves as well.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ghlight=method

One of many articles on geo method.


Good luck.


Turbs

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by Patrick45

I have a new Cottage and I find myself unable to open the dank to DUMP. There is resistance when I pull the handle but nothing happens. I have done a hose from top and bottom as well as a snake from both directions to no avail. I am waiting for a repair service to come out but I wait. Forest River will of course cover this but until then. The strange thing is the tank reads 1/3 full. I know they typically don't work when they read FULL when it is empty.

Is there a way from underneath to pull what must be a stuck gate?

How bout a bucket below the vave, then loosen the four bolts holding it in only 1/4 turn at a time and gently try the valve. If you spray WD 40 on the disc direct it may help. I wouldn't go more than 1/2 turn total each bolt. It should free up. Might want to insert a 3' stick through the toilet opening and determine how much is in there for sure. Typicall 1" liquid on stick = about 20%..

[Mountainmanbob]

Originally Posted by VinceU

How bout a bucket below the vave, then loosen the four bolts holding it in only 1/4 turn at a time and gently try the valve.

after many years installing and repairing valves

VinceU is right on

truly for starters

it is about all one can do at this point in time

hopefully after this
get it working
then retighten and dump till clean
then remove valve gate and inspect
one does not wish to run into the same problem down the road
valve grease recommended before reassemble

Mountainman

[Patrick45]

It is suppose to be 86 here today so I don't think so.

Originally Posted by jimh

any possibility it could have ice in it (frozen)?

[Patrick45]

The tank is almost full. I will try to gather the courage to try what you say below.

Originally Posted by VinceU

How bout a bucket below the vave, then loosen the four bolts holding it in only 1/4 turn at a time and gently try the valve. If you spray WD 40 on the disc direct it may help. I wouldn't go more than 1/2 turn total each bolt. It should free up. Might want to insert a 3' stick through the toilet opening and determine how much is in there for sure. Typicall 1" liquid on stick = about 20%..

[Petunia]

Patrick, when Oakman and I bought our second fifth-wheel, we found that the gray and black tank handles were mis-labeled. Do you get any results when pulling the handle marked gray?

[SYE]

I use the valve loube in my tank and it has made a big difdference on how the handle pulls out now!

[Patrick45]

What is valve lube? 3rd decent rv and never had an issue before.

Originally Posted by syencer

I use the valve loube in my tank and it has made a big difdference on how the handle pulls out now!

[SYE]

Originally Posted by Patrick45

What is valve lube? 3rd decent rv and never had an issue before.

I bought it at my dealer for like 5 bucks on my older 5er for a problem and have been using it ever since

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by Patrick45

What is valve lube? 3rd decent rv and never had an issue before.

Just another "cure all chemical for the black tank". The no. one cause for sticking is improper installation, overtightning attop of list. No. one cause of valve failure is forcing stem out, destroying plastic gate threads with steel stem, when stuck.
Remember tank can be pumper lower with a utility pump suction lowered from the top.

[Mountainmanbob]

Originally Posted by VinceU

Just another "cure all chemical for the black tank".

I'm also not that sure about these additives ??
they are OK
but
you pay a lot for what you truly get

poo itself is pretty slippery

once again
it is amazing what a little plumbers grease will do
I have gotten many an old valve over the years
some as old as 40 years
working good yet again
once taken apart and applying valve grease
then working up and down a few times
then some more grease applied
work it some more
put back together
nice

Mountainman

[SYE]

By chance Patrick, do you live somewhere cold and mabe it is frozen shut, this happened on my last 5er as well. Just asking!!!

[Patrick45]

86 here in Florida today..no ice

[SYE]

Originally Posted by Patrick45

86 here in Florida today..no ice

Thats why I asked because I did not knpow where you weree at