The thickness will allow you to tap the body with enough threads to screw in a plug or grease zerk. Wait for 10 minutes to allow the lubricant to flow down the plumbing lines, into the grey and black tanks, and settle on the gate valves. went to drain black water tank and handle came out with the cable nothing drained so i pushed cable back so did the end of the cable come off, the gate ? If all else fails you can try loosening the bolts that are holding the gate valve together to release whatever is keeping it closed. Sometimes a simpler solution is all thats necessary. Attach a photo or two if it might help Dave with his response. Hows the lubrication to work there? DO NOT USE the old standby, WD-40. The process of lubricating the valve is simple. Work the valve a few times in the water to ensure all of the residue gets cleaned out. Where to Find the Best RV Couch Replacements, Walmart Alternatives for Free Overnight RV Parking, Dog Camping Tents Your Pet Will Actually Love, Dow Corning 111 O-Ring Silicone Lubricant (5.3 oz. Usually, a 3/4 full black tank wont freeze from a few days of low temperatures. The sloshing around of the liquid will not only clean the inside of your tank, but it can get down into the valve and loosen whatever residue is there. It not only gets lubricant all over the gate valve but on the walls of the holding tank as well which helps stop waste from sticking to it. 29 plumtrees road newtown, ct; popular subdivision names; how to cite the implicit association test I had forgotten what a difference this makes, valves work better than new! Should You Camp at the Thousand Trails Chehalis Resort? I drilled the hole and spray silicone in it a few times a year and also on the metal rod. WATCH VIDEO Its also a great way to prevent RV gate valves from getting sticky in the future. This spray is sticky and could cause issues with your seals down the road. Sorry for the late reply. The veggie oil is a gallon jug the cheapest (~$5) stuff from Walmart or similar store. I'd replace all three valves and mount the switches in the wet bay or close to the termination outlets. Thanks for your interest. If this trick doesnt work it may be time to head to an RV repair shop. Diverter Valves; Holding Tanks; Sewer Accessories; Water Pressure Regulator; Waste Valves; . Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "abc43f8af58a96ad9450bbba6d3f65dc" );document.getElementById("bf0ddd2115").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Welcometo The Camping Nerd. Some say that the best way to lubricate a sticky black or grey tank valve is to use WD-40 on the handle and inside the box that holds the gate valve when its open. Some people recommend that you should never leave the gray valve open either, as it can allow odors from the parks sewer system up into your RV. This method is kind of a long shot, especially if youre trying to unstick the black tank valve. We full-timed in our Sunnybrook for 7 years and on the rare occasions we had a full hook-up site, we flushed those tanks within an inch of their life. Vegetable oil will NOT harm those neoprene valve seals. DO NOT USE the old standby, WD-40. Only lubricated 2 times but started sticking after all these years. Every so often, when you dump your black tank, spray lubricant containing silicon on the rod while its open. It is especially hard to spray lubricate into the gate valve if your RV uses a handle connected to a cable with the gate valve located somewhere further underneath the RV. A quart bottle treats a tank eight or nine times. Why? Stocking thousands of OEM & aftermarket marine parts by top suppliers. For example, internal tank sensors require drilling through the sides of the RV holding tank at precise locations. A plug would work better as you can spray silicon spray into the hole then plug it again. As weve said, were not recommending this procedure, only commenting on it. But if nothing else has been effective this could work as a last resort. Did the drill hole only difference used a small self tapping screw very gently so not to strip it out worked like a champ thanks. i tried lubing the cable, pull the valves and installed new seals, tried cooking oil in my tanks before i used them, to lube the actual valve, none of this worked. Another help would be if the cables that are in the crawl space were run with as straight a shot as possible, or at least with large radius turns or bends. Simply install the valve between your RV's sewer pipes and mount the handle on the end of the cable in a convenient, easy-to-access place. My rod is getting really hard to pull out or to seat the valve fully closed. Are the National Parks in Oregon Worth Visiting? If that T character breaks, opening the valve is tough. Your ice cube tray does a lot more than just make ice, Holy federal film permit, Batman! By Doug Swarts I've had to clean the black tank valve once before and it's a pain to have to drop the underbelly cover for this simple procedure. If you add enough of it to the holding tank that has the gate valve stuck closed it might be able to work its way to the bottom of the tank and the gate valve. A sticky holding tank valve is a pain in the neck. The black and grey tank valves should no longer be sticky. - Carl Segan, Our "Rolling Rest Home" 2013 Trilogy 3650RL dragged by a 2005 GMC Sierra 4x4 Diesel Dually -SOLD. Once you detach the valve, clean around the seals and gaskets. Buy an RV, sell your RV, or both? If would be great if there were some sort of a way to add grease or some other such lubricating stuff under pressure to make the cables work easier. See Also:Best RV Sewer Hose Kits Reviewed & Rated. Last year in Texas I started to squirt a lubricating/penetrating oil into each one of the cables where they pass through the dock center (if that makes sense). Great Prices on holding tank dump valves, holding tanks and components. Takes less than half a second to open and close. Its completely normal for this to happen. I assume you prefer the pull to be in the 12 oclock position which would be straight up. When your RV black tank valve gets harder to open, you dont want to wait until it breaks. Charlie. Serving RVers for more than 20 years. oz. Remove the seals from the flanges and inspect both of the seals and the flanges for cracks or abrasion. Rockport TX. I'm really having a lot of friction when trying to pull the gray and the black water cables. Just wanted to share this tip again in case some have not tried this. What to do about sticky valve handles in RV? Some say that the best way to lubricate a sticky black or grey tank valve is to use WD-40 on the handle and inside the box that holds the gate valve when it's open. Learn more. Thermal Package Plus. They recommend using 1/5th of the bottle with 4 gallons of water. Pull the T handle all the way out, spray the metal rod, slide it in, pull it out again, spray the metal rod, slide it in, etc., etc. Maybe others will chime in soon. | Page 5 Provides an easy way to open and close the remotely installed valve. Mix it up by driving around some, then open and close the valve a few times keeping as much mixture in the tank as possible, then let it sit overnight. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Read more. Decided to leave just a little in the tanks to sit against the valves through the winter to keep them from drying out instead of antifreeze. It is the most popular high-quality rubber protectant, so it should function in a similar way to the cooking oil/baby oil. Have done this before but had been a little over a year. It is not really magic, but it is cheap, eco-friendly and it helps. My thought is that products like the Thetford one that is mentioned, are a compound that is actually heavier than the water, and they probably sink to the bottom of the tank and collect at the seal. They work good now. Refill the tank, then run the water again, until the smell of bleach is gone. Current Projects. I suggest using water resistant WD-40 Specialist (click to view on Amazon) on the handles, but it won't work as well on the inner gate part. There is a rubber seal on each side, which should be conditioned at least at the time of storage and a few times during the camping season. Save my name and email in browser cookies for the next time I comment so I won't have to enter that information again. Whats the best way to lubricate a sticky dump valve? We have started a new forum link for Ask Dave. Where Can I Have Packages Delivered While On The Road. but does require access to the gate valves which are inside the coroplast in most cases. The Valterra gate valve is the most common model used by RV manufacturers. Once you detach the valve, clean around the seals and gaskets. Can you fix it yourself, or will you have to spend money hiring a mobile RV tech? On ours, it took putting about 1/2 gallon of oil in each tank and running it through twice to get them loosened up real good. IN CONCLUSION Long time ago a tech told me to use water pump lubricant in the waster water tanks to keep seals pliable and free. tried 2# new 3 #blk valves last mo, both are sticking (hear rubber dragging on pull leaver shaft. If the holding tank is full, however, it presents a greater challenge. Remove the bolts securing the valve. This cleans and lubricates not only the seals but the plumbing as well. Our waste holding tanks are constructed of tough ABS plastic for long service life. it is going to the teens for 5 days and I cant empty black tank!!! See Also:What Do I Need To Use Hookups At An RV Park Or Campground? DO NOT USE the old standby, WD-40. You can go ahead and add a lubricant. What are your thoughts on lubricating waste tank valves? The Official Site of Philip T. Rivera. Open the valve and soak it in hot, soapy water. In some cases the 1.5-inch gray valve gets sticky over time especially if the RVer is not using his RV full time. Buy an RV, sell your RV, or both? Enclosed and heated dump valves; Docking station: easy winterization, Hot and cold spray port, black Tank flush, pull valves for tanks; Large tinted windows with 80/20 UV prohibitor; E-Z LUBE Dexter axles; Dexter Nev-R-Adjust brakes; Hickory Springs radius triple steps with 9" riser (no pinched fingers) Dometic "One-Touch" electric awning with . it worked 2 weeks ago and not freezing yet. Please follow these rules when commenting on RVtravel.com. I wish there was some way to lube those cables up in there and maybe the gate valve itself. If the rod gets stuck, or the handle breaks, you have a decidedly difficult issue. They have a system for shooting lubricant down motorcycle brake and clutch cables using a spray can and a foam rubber adapter. Home Fix For Hard To Open & Close RV Black Or Grey Tank Valves. And no i probably wouldnt make a good mother. ) Likewise, to prevent gunk buildup and maintain pliable seals, you can pour vegetable oil down the drain and allow it to coat the RV waste valve. Product information Technical Details Additional Information Feedback I keep the cables lubed the best i can with silicone lube. Clintoons: Ever wonder how these directions make sense? Leaving your RVs gray valve open when fully hooked up allows you to take long showers without worrying about dumping or filling up the gray tank. there's no adjustment for the RV sewer dump valve cables. Now turn the handle counter-clockwise by hand to remove it, and screw a new one on firmly. Holding Tank Dump Valves. Dave recommends applying silicon to the shaft, rather than WD-40, which will clean the grease and rid of the natural oils that help the valve slide fluidly. The odds of this working are greater in the grey tank but it could still work in the black tank as well. Here's a video showing how how to lub your waste valves. Login; Register; Home; Shop by Categories. Thetford has a great product we have used for several years called the Drain Valve Lubricant. drove the fiver around to lube up the valves, tried for two days to see if it was to work. Now work the valve open and closed a few times. Add Thetford RV Drain Valve Lubricant Anyways, Drill an Access Hole in the Stuck Gate Valve, Conclusion About Fixing Sticky RV Grey and Black Tank Valves, Valterra Electric RV Gate Valves (click to view on Amazon), What To Do When An RV Waste Tank (Black/Grey) Wont Drain, WD-40 Specialist (click to view on Amazon). When RV heat is on, cabinets and counters get hot. Your real email is required. Keep your tanks flushed out with clear water as often as possible. Valve easily adapts to existing bolt on flanged valve connections. If you use a grease zerk be sure you do not apply too much grease or the valve will be hard to pull and push open or close. 1 How do you lubricate RV holding tank valves and cables? A very simple and inexpensive procedure is used that. Pump the cavity full of grease and the theory says youll keep the actuating rod freely operational. Fahrverkauf Ingolstadt; Preise One of the commercial seal lubricants, or silicone spray is the best way. This will not show on your comment but is for us to contact you if necessary. Ive been an auto mechanic for 43 years, and never heard them called anything but ZERKS. What to Do If RV Black or Grey Tank Valve Is Stuck Closed? Fulltimer Class ofLate2015, with my beautiful bride, Lori. Squeeze the flanges together and insert the four bolts and nuts. Thank you for stopping by. Any price listed excludes sales tax, registration tags, and delivery fees. Connect your sewage hose to the dump fitting on your camper. I would think that those were two different characteristics to take into consideration. It doesnt harm O rings so it should be fine for these valves. I did not use much and I only worked the rod a little, being unsure if I was performing a useful process. You can revoke your consent any time using the Revoke consent button. Did the gray first and then reused it for the black tank and then used fresh oil the second time through for the black. . Be careful not to ding or in any way damage that steel rod, as a rough rod can create problemslike tearing up the shaft seal. how to pronounce canadian cities. Holding Tank Treatments; Water Hoses; Sanitation Hoses & Accessories; Toilet Paper; . You can do this during the year as well. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. or any other ideas why black Valve seems working in that cable moves but nothing out. Let the lubricant sit for a few minutes so it has time to work on the gate inside the valve. Once a year I dump some vegetable oil down each waste water tank as well as use the usual supplied straw that comes with every can of spray lube and force some lube by the handle end of the cable. Tighten the provided hardware to complete installation. Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2. here is the latest on the stuck valves. That doesnt mean things wont break or crack, but do what you can to prevent such issues from happening. Empty and clean your tanks by filling the tanks 2/3 full of water then dumping, repeat until the clear view fitting at the sewer ground inlet runs clear and free of particulate. Some do it 3-4 times a year when the rig is in service as well. This will get the lube on both sides of the seal and the rod. Menu and widgets Now "work" the valve open and closed a few times. I thought the same about the cables being run better, but after having to take down the coroplast, I see that they are actually run very well. Ive got a sticky gray valve but cant get to it as its enclosed. One way to unstick your RV black tank valve is to put Dawn dish soap and water in your black tank and then drive around. RV Mirrors; RV Window Parts . If the tank is almost full you might not be able to add any extra water, but thats ok. Leave a little space in the tank so the liquid and waste inside can slosh around and mix up the dish soap. How do you lubricate RV holding tank valves and cables? If the RV has three holding tanks, you need a Two Valve Kit plus the Single Valve Kit. Glad to hear it worked for you. First, dump a bunch of dish soap into the holding tank that has a stuck valve. To use, dump the RV like normal. Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the RV Handbook as well as the Managing Editor of the RV Repair Club. RV drain valve lubricant is to be used when the RV holding tanks are empty. Thank you! Dont wait until it gets stuck. Please follow these rules when commenting on RVtravel.com. You may want to place a bucket underneath to catch anything that might leak out. What are your likely plans for 2023? Poured a large bottle of Dawn and three pans of hot water, stomped around to make vibration so soap would agitate, and the whole tank drained in 30 mins. Like adding water and treatment to the black tank. See Also:What To Do When An RV Waste Tank (Black/Grey) Wont Drain. Likewise, to prevent gunk buildup and maintain pliable seals, you can pour vegetable oil down the drain and allow it to coat the RV waste valve. As a side note, the cable can get messed up sometimes. . Replace it if it cracks, or if any part of it breaks off. You are using an out of date browser. Screw in a 1/4-inch Zerk fitting until the shoulder of the fitting is snug to the valve bodydont over-tighten. Regardless of this potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers. Make sure to lubricate the valve blade and put a leak-free gasket around it. Tuesday, February 28, 2023. The cable is very difficult to push/pull and due to it's position, directly under the water hose connection, gets some corrosion. If you want to be notified when we post a new video, then click the Bell Icon. There are other methods of lubricating things. Before you insert the new black tank valve, you can lubricate the seal for preventative maintenance. We travel full time in our RV and write about what we learn and share our experiences. Around the Campfire: Who advocates for RVers? Works great. 2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3, Mor/Ryde King Pin and I.S., 17.5" Wheels w/ H Rated Tires,Automatic Level Up, 2012 Ford F450 Lariet, 6.7 L, CC, 4WD, DRW w/ Air Bags, Reese Signature 25K Hitch. Try adding more than the recommended dosage to increase the chance of it getting to the valve. Camco TST Drain Valve Lube is designed to lubricate plumbing lines while you drive. We scratch our heads on that theory. The first thing you need to do is make sure your black tank is empty and clean. How to Market Your Business with Webinars. The veggie oil is a gallon jug the cheapest (~$5) stuff from Walmart or similar store.