Lubricating dump valves?

ErickW · 10-13-2019, 08:06 AM

This question has probably been asked and answered many times, but I will ask again, as I can't seem to find any relevant posts. How do I go about lubricating my dump valves on my 2011 Montana 3665RE? It seems as if they are hard to open, and when I do get them open it doesn't seem like they close all the way. After my last trip I went to connect to the sewer and when I pulled the cap I got a lot of liquid pouring out. Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated!

kcmusa · 10-13-2019, 08:29 AM

check out this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GDErKY05-8

he drills a small hole to insert the tube of the lube into the valve area.

ErickW · 10-13-2019, 10:47 AM

Well, that would be perfect, except my valves are underneath behind the weather panels. I suppose I'm going to have to crawl underneath, and do it from there. Not my idea of a fun day. ��

GeekSquadOfUn · 10-13-2019, 11:06 AM

I had the same issue with my valves being hidden from view.

Now is the perfect time to remedy this. Using a utility knife, cut an square opening to make an access door to your valves. Trust me, you will eventually have to look there.

Familiarise yourself with the area, you will be better off.

Lubricate said valves as recommended: a drilled hole, lubricant and a screw to close the hole off.

Close the new door you just made, put some quality black tape on it, a flap with a screw and you'll be proud you did it.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck.

**JRTJH** · 10-13-2019, 12:44 PM

It's a lot easier to cut a "small door to lubricate the valves" than it is to cut a "huge door to replace the valves".... Just sayin'

It's sort of like saying, "I'd change my oil, but what if I stripped out the oil drain plug threads, then I'd have an expensive repair. Think of the "more expensive repair" of replacing the engine if you don't change the oil...

66joej · 10-13-2019, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErickW

This question has probably been asked and answered many times, but I will ask again, as I can't seem to find any relevant posts. How do I go about lubricating my dump valves on my 2011 Montana 3665RE? It seems as if they are hard to open, and when I do get them open it doesn't seem like they close all the way. After my last trip I went to connect to the sewer and when I pulled the cap I got a lot of liquid pouring out. Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated!

I have not tried it personally but some have poured cheap vegetable oil into an empty tank and let it sit a bit, work the valve open/closed then drain. YMMV

ErickW · 10-22-2019, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66joej

I have not tried it personally but some have poured cheap vegetable oil into an empty tank and let it sit a bit, work the valve open/closed then drain. YMMV

Well, I might give that a try, sounds better than laying underneath trying to figure out where the valves are.

rjsurfer · 10-23-2019, 01:58 AM

Another thing to look at might be the cables, sometimes the techs just use an entire loop of cable rather than cutting it to fit.

An extremely long cable will never close or open correctly. Too much slack in the overly long cable.

Ron W.

jsmith948 · 10-23-2019, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66joej

I have not tried it personally but some have poured cheap vegetable oil into an empty tank and let it sit a bit, work the valve open/closed then drain. YMMV

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

**JRTJH** · 10-23-2019, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmith948

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Skip the vinegar and herbs or you'll have to add lettuce and croutons.....

jsmith948 · 10-23-2019, 07:22 AM

Whatever you do, don't use ranch. It will just gum it up worse.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Skip the vinegar and herbs or you'll have to add lettuce and croutons.....

**flybouy** · 10-23-2019, 07:32 AM

Watch the saturated fats. I hear they clog up the "pipes".

wiredgeorge · 10-23-2019, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66joej

I have not tried it personally but some have poured cheap vegetable oil into an empty tank and let it sit a bit, work the valve open/closed then drain. YMMV

Tell you what Joe... You dump a quart of wesson oil into your hold tank and let me know how that goes for you then I might give it a try!

Thought the youtube video make a small hole was a great idea and will get on this soon as my valves are all sticky and far too difficult to change since they are not dead stuck.

**flybouy** · 10-23-2019, 12:59 PM

In all seriousness, dumping anything in the holding tank can only help the seal on the valves. If the cable is the issue then it will not help.

travelin texans · 10-23-2019, 01:19 PM

I've used the vegetable oil & it does help. It didn't help the bath grey valve so I tried lubricating the cable from the convenience center with no luck so I took down the basement wall to access the back & found the cable twisted/turned in weird angles, loosened the retaining nut & twisted some of the kinks out which did help quite a bit. Just use cheapo liquid dish or laundry soap in the black tank.
I also helped a buddy with his & found that they use a universal 6' cable & just wad it up however to connect to the valve. His was pulling the valve at almost a 90 degree angle, straightened it out & worked great

nolamontgomery5738 · 10-27-2019, 07:28 AM

My Hubbie adds about 1/2 C Vegetable Oil every 6 weeks (or so) to both our black water and 2 grey water tanks. Never have any issues with Valves using this method 🙂

CaptnJohn · 10-27-2019, 09:19 AM

I always dump veggie oil when going to sit for a while. Also, graphite once in a while to the handle area while open.

cliff · 10-27-2019, 09:43 AM

If your valves are over seven years old and getting stiff, it's time to replace them. It's better to do them now, rather than wait for a valve stem to pull out and have a really big problem, especially if it's the poop tank. On our 2008 Montana I cut a hole in the chloroplast where I thought the valves were located. Got close and cut out the rest until I could get to all of the valves. There was no easy way to remove the valves so I cut out a 1" section of pipe, then pulled the valves. Took valves and greased them up with silicone grease; not the spray stuff, the grease. Don't spare the grease; channels, seals, stems, excess is good. Now to fix the cut pipe get a rubber sleeve made for that purpose, install one end onto the pipe in the trailer with a hose clamp, and slide the valves' pipe ove that and clamp it after connecting the other ends. To cover up where you cut get a piece of 16 gauge aluminum cut oversize. Don't use petroleum grease, asit will melt the seals.

Jay Pat · 10-27-2019, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcmusa

check out this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GDErKY05-8

he drills a small hole to insert the tube of the lube into the valve area.

Wow! Wished I'd seen this video a couple of weeks ago...
Had a mobile mechanic change out black and grey valves (with me, assisting).
It was a challenge.
We got it done.
Like I said, I wished I'd seen this video first.
Pat

linux3 · 10-27-2019, 10:58 AM

Every spring, after winter storage, first trip, I pour a bottle of veggie oil in the black and grey tanks, let sit a while and flush.
Might do nothing but on the other hand I have no problems.

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