Grey tank lever is stuck open

[grateful_travelers]

2020 GT5 31L5 - I drained the grey tank today and when it was finished I tried to close the lever and it won't close anymore. What can I do to close it? We are going on a boondocking trip next weekend!

[eye95]

As a temporary fix, put one of those caps designed for the end of a hose on the opening to the gray tank.

[grateful_travelers]

Originally Posted by eye95

As a temporary fix, put one of those caps designed for the end of a hose on the opening to the gray tank.

That's a great idea, thanks! After we get back from our trip we can bring it back to the dealer to look at, but we need it for this coming weekend, so a temporary fix will be great.

[eye95]

Originally Posted by grateful_travelers

That's a great idea, thanks! After we get back from our trip we can bring it back to the dealer to look at, but we need it for this coming weekend, so a temporary fix will be great.

You are most welcome.

Bear in mind that emptying that tank after use will be an issue.

[Qwkynuf]

Originally Posted by eye95

As a temporary fix, put one of those caps designed for the end of a hose on the opening to the gray tank.

If that's a combined drain, won't that allow black water to back up into the gray tank when dumping?

[Reverse_snowbird]

One of these might help. https://www.campingworld.com/twist-o...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
We have one on our rig just in case one of the valves starts leaking. It also prevents surprises when you go to dump. The valves can leak and put waste water into the pipe so that when you take off the cap, waste water will gush out before you can put the sewer hose on. (Don't ask me how I know.)
This valve will solve your problem temporarily.

[eye95]

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

One of these might help. https://www.campingworld.com/twist-o...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
We have one on our rig just in case one of the valves starts leaking. It also prevents surprises when you go to dump. The valves can leak and put waste water into the pipe so that when you take off the cap, waste water will gush out before you can put the sewer hose on. (Don't ask me how I know.)
This valve will solve your problem temporarily.

If I understand this product correctly, it has both the fitting to connect to the gray outlet pipe and has the fitting to accept the sewer hose. (I can’t tell for sure since the picture shows only one side.)

If so, this has the benefit of capping off the outlet pipe and allowing for dumping (unlike my suggestion of using one of the hose caps).

This is a great emergency item that will be added to my regular RV supplies! Thanks.

[NXR]

Both of my valves were beginning to bind up noticeably and the guy next to us suggested pouring a cup of vegetable oil into the empty tanks. I did and wow, I almost ripped the handle out because the valve moved so freely now.

Your problem is a bit different because the vegetable oil cannot sit against the entire valve seal (the travel path for the gate) but perhaps give it a try. It may lube part of the seal as the oil drains past so you can work the valve a bit.

I do have to add vegetable oil when the valves get a bit tight because this is not a permanent fix. For the black tank I can just pour it in. The gray tank is a bit different due to the P-traps in the sinks. I carefully pour two cups of vegetable oil into the closest sink drain, put the plug in, fill the sink with water, and pull the drain plug. The BAWHOOSH pushes the oil out of the P-trap and into the tank.

For both I let it sit for several minutes so the oil can travel to the drains.

Good luck,

Ray

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by eye95

If I understand this product correctly, it has both the fitting to connect to the gray outlet pipe and has the fitting to accept the sewer hose. (I can’t tell for sure since the picture shows only one side.)
.

It fits between the outlet pipe and the cap you normally put on the end of the pipe. Basically, it twists on and you put the normal end cap on the other side. Comes with good directions that you probably won't need.
All you need is one 'leak' from bouncing down the road to decide this is a good idea. It should work for the OPs problem til he can get it fixed and afterwards.

[LittleBill]

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

It fits between the outlet pipe and the cap you normally put on the end of the pipe. Basically, it twists on and you put the normal end cap on the other side. Comes with good directions that you probably won't need.
All you need is one 'leak' from bouncing down the road to decide this is a good idea. It should work for the OPs problem til he can get it fixed and afterwards.

X2^^^

Works well, recommend you get one. Available from numerous places - on-line and dealers.

[hankpac]

If you have a “brake cable” between the valve and the handle it is probably getting rusted. Spray WD40 on the entire length, to loosen the rust. Work it back and forth a few times, then spray heavily with silicone. May have to replace the entire thing.

[Adrian Gordon]

Originally Posted by grateful_travelers

2020 GT5 31L5 - I drained the grey tank today and when it was finished I tried to close the lever and it won't close anymore. What can I do to close it? We are going on a boondocking trip next weekend!

I'm assuming the pull handle on a standard holding tank drain valve? If so, order one from Amazon for overnight delivery or two day delivery and replace it. The job takes about 20 minutes.

[Royston]

Originally Posted by grateful_travelers

2020 GT5 31L5 - I drained the grey tank today and when it was finished I tried to close the lever and it won't close anymore. What can I do to close it? We are going on a boondocking trip next weekend!

Google Lubricating RV sewer valves, there is a short video showing how to do this

[stepdad]

If it’s the cable, I use Petrogel. It is a food safe lube, that will not wash off and doesn’t make a mess! End of problem! Works with hot water also!

[JWood422]

Another possible fix, even if only temporary, is to slightly loosen the 4 nuts that hold the valve in place. It helped me tremendously. The housing was too tight against the slidey “trap door.”

[grateful_travelers]

I ordered a new value unit from Amazon yesterday and it arrived today. I spent the last 30 mins or so taking out the old one and putting in the new one. It was easy. The tricky part was getting it back together because the weight of one side pulls down and you have to lift it and insert the bolt at the same time.

I tested it after I was done...no leaks, and it opened and closed perfectly. I saved the old one in case we need another one because it's brand new and I know what was clogging it.

I don't know how to post pictures on here to show you, but when I took the old one out, two big pieces of water-logged wood came out. That is what was blocking it from opening! I have no idea where the wood came from. The motorhome is a 2020, we bought it new and have only been on 3 trips, and obviously neither one of us put wood down the drain.

I also bought one of those caps that some people were talking about and put it on just to have.

Allison

[rracer5]

Originally Posted by grateful_travelers

I ordered a new value unit from Amazon yesterday and it arrived today. I spent the last 30 mins or so taking out the old one and putting in the new one. It was easy. The tricky part was getting it back together because the weight of one side pulls down and you have to lift it and insert the bolt at the same time.

I tested it after I was done...no leaks, and it opened and closed perfectly. I saved the old one in case we need another one because it's brand new and I know what was clogging it.

I don't know how to post pictures on here to show you, but when I took the old one out, two big pieces of water-logged wood came out. That is what was blocking it from opening! I have no idea where the wood came from. The motorhome is a 2020, we bought it new and have only been on 3 trips, and obviously neither one of us put wood down the drain.

I also bought one of those caps that some people were talking about and put it on just to have.

Allison

Debris falls into the tanks during drilling for the drain pipes and other assembly processes. They don't care! Just this past spring, after over 6 years, of use, a broken piece of PVC pipe plastic "O" ring got caught in the valves blade track keeping it from closing completely. Tell me where that came from since the nearest P-trap where these "O" ring seals are is under the bathroom sink & above the floor!

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by grateful_travelers

I ordered a new value unit from Amazon yesterday and it arrived today. I spent the last 30 mins or so taking out the old one and putting in the new one. It was easy. The tricky part was getting it back together because the weight of one side pulls down and you have to lift it and insert the bolt at the same time.

I tested it after I was done...no leaks, and it opened and closed perfectly. I saved the old one in case we need another one because it's brand new and I know what was clogging it.

I don't know how to post pictures on here to show you, but when I took the old one out, two big pieces of water-logged wood came out. That is what was blocking it from opening! I have no idea where the wood came from. The motorhome is a 2020, we bought it new and have only been on 3 trips, and obviously neither one of us put wood down the drain.

I also bought one of those caps that some people were talking about and put it on just to have.

Allison

Open your recently received Welcome PM, click on the link to Forum 101 and follow instructions in post #7.

[LittleBill]

Originally Posted by grateful_travelers

I ordered a new value unit from Amazon yesterday and it arrived today. I spent the last 30 mins or so taking out the old one and putting in the new one. It was easy. The tricky part was getting it back together because the weight of one side pulls down and you have to lift it and insert the bolt at the same time.

I tested it after I was done...no leaks, and it opened and closed perfectly. I saved the old one in case we need another one because it's brand new and I know what was clogging it.

I don't know how to post pictures on here to show you, but when I took the old one out, two big pieces of water-logged wood came out. That is what was blocking it from opening! I have no idea where the wood came from. The motorhome is a 2020, we bought it new and have only been on 3 trips, and obviously neither one of us put wood down the drain.

I also bought one of those caps that some people were talking about and put it on just to have.

Allison

Didn't realize this was a NEW unit. Curious - was there a reason you didn't take it back to the dealer (assuming it's still under warranty being it is a 2020 and you have only made 3 trips)?