Black Tank Valve = easy - LOL

[TryingToLearn]

I keep reading how easy it is to replace the seals or valve on the black tank but no one actually posts pictures or gives DETAILED step by step.
I've posted 2 pics of my Sunseeker waste system from 2 different angles looking up (at least they are exposed). In trying to replace the valve I have followed these steps:
1. cut cable because the set screw holding it in is stripped and the cable is much too long anyhow.
2. remove 4 bolts after breaking away foam in the way
3. Attempt to spread apart pipes to create sufficient room to remove valve.
4. Realize that the grey and black tanks are piped together in such a way that I don't have enough room to move anything.

Do I really have to remove the band clamps around the tank joints and take the whole assembly apart?

I don't know if the seals prevent the valve from sliding out and if they do, how you replace the seals on the new assembly?

Thanks for any thoughts on how to make this easy like everyone says...

[A32Deuce]

On mine, once the bolts came out, only needed maybe a 1/4 inch to remove the valve. O ring on each side of the valve, so you need that amount of space. I had the driver side higher then the pass side ensuring nothing would come out. May have to get all 8 screws out to remove the gate valve if that tight.

[TryingToLearn]

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

On mine, once the bolts came out, only needed maybe a 1/4 inch to remove the valve.

Thanks for the response.

And was your grey & black piped together like mine? Do I just need some force to pry it apart? I was reluctant to apply force for fear I'd break one of the corner tabs off thus making more work.

[A32Deuce]

Yes , both drained into one. Like I said, you may need to loosen the other 4 to get a little wiggle room.

[TryingToLearn]

by "the other 4" would I be correct in assuming you mean on the grey valve? Since there is no play on the black, my logic (faulty as it may be) says there would be just as much on the grey valve! Would be so much easier if I didn't have to crawl under each time...

[cfo111]

They are most likely just stuck together, The person that assemble it most likely never put any lube on the o ring. Are both tanks empty ? If so you should do both, clean and lube the slide and if that has cables check them also and try to get some lube on them.

[TryingToLearn]

Originally Posted by cfo111

They are most likely just stuck together,

The valve body can rotate 360 degrees in place but I'm going to have to get back under there to see if I can pry it apart with a tool. Have only used hand strength so far. I had replaced the cable on the grey some time ago and it works just fine - better than ever now that the cable is the right length.

[dannyabear]

The rubber gaskets/seats are just stuck to the fitting

[A32Deuce]

The 4 screws on the gray, just loosen to give a little wiggle room. I had to do that with mine.

[Scrapper]

Can you move the gate valve at all? It looks as though it's tight up to the part on the tank. If that's the case and you can't move it, it may have gotten glue on it when they glued it to the fitting that's clamped to the tank.

[TryingToLearn]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

Can you move the gate valve at all? It looks as though it's tight up to the part on the tank. If that's the case and you can't move it, it may have gotten glue on it when they glued it to the fitting that's clamped to the tank.

The valve itself will move once the 4 bolts are out and the 1 bracket that the bolts hold on will move off the valve but there doesn't seem to be any room to move the fittings enough to get the valve or gaskets out. It's as though they put the fittings in, assembled the valves then clamped & glued the entire thing to the 2 tanks.


A32Deuce suggestion to loosen the grey valve bolts gave no joy either.
I've replaced the cable but the valve still won't close all the way.

Still looking for suggestions before I try to find a dealer.