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Old 06-23-2015, 04:36 PM   #1
Glenn54
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Black tank full and not draining - Help

I'm almost positive my black tank is full and not draining. At first I thought the vent might be plugged up because when I flushed the toilet, water gurgled/spurted back up before it went down. So I go out and open the black tank valve and I could hear and feel some water flowing out but not for long, few seconds. I came back in and held the flush lever down and looked down with a flashlight. At that point I could tell the tank was getting full, water backing up. Thinking the vent might still be the issue, I turned the water off to the trailer and put paper towels in the toilet to hold open the flush valve. Went outside but nothing draining.
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Old 06-23-2015, 04:44 PM   #2
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Sure doesn't sound good. My 2009 Keystone 5th wheel has never been accurate for the blackwater tank gauge so I got a clear attachment for the sewer hose so I can actually see it draining. Or at least hear it draining......
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Old 06-23-2015, 04:51 PM   #3
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I agree. Doesn't sound good. Not sure how to solve the problem. I'm guessing I have a clog at the valve.
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Old 06-23-2015, 04:53 PM   #4
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Go back outside and pull the grey water valve.. make sure the hose is hooked up and in the sewer first...
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Old 06-23-2015, 04:56 PM   #5
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Go back outside and pull the grey water valve.. make sure the hose is hooked up and in the sewer first...
YUP!! If the gray tank is full and you dump it with the black tank valve open, it should provide some suction to "pull" the blockage out of the black tank.
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Old 06-23-2015, 05:04 PM   #6
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YUP!! If the gray tank is full and you dump it with the black tank valve open, it should provide some suction to "pull" the blockage out of the black tank.
That thought crossed my mind but didn't really think it would work. I will need to start adding water to the gray tank because I keep that valve open most of the time. I only close it a day or two prior to flushing black tank so I can have some "clean" water to follow the black tank. But, I will give it a try.
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Old 06-23-2015, 05:12 PM   #7
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That thought crossed my mind but didn't really think it would work. I will need to start adding water to the gray tank because I keep that valve open most of the time. I only close it a day or two prior to flushing black tank so I can have some "clean" water to follow the black tank. But, I will give it a try.
If the vacuum trick doesn't work, any other suggestions? Gray tank is filling.
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Old 06-23-2015, 05:30 PM   #8
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Some thing else to try if your bath gray tank and black tank valves are near each other. Place a turn on valve on the main sewer exit pipe and close it. With the two gray tanks full open them filling the laterals and open the black tank valve and see if you can get some gray water to back flush into the black tank. Then open the turn on valve. Should create additional suction on the black tank. A lot depends on the plumbing on you unit. Sounds like you may have a solid pile in the tank. Have you looked under there to see if the valve is opening?
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Old 06-23-2015, 05:31 PM   #9
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The vacuum trick didn't work the 1st time. Had gray tank at least 3/4 full and could tell lots of water was coming out of it. But black tank doesn't appear to have changed so trying this a 2nd time.
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Old 06-23-2015, 05:34 PM   #10
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Quote:
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If the vacuum trick doesn't work, any other suggestions? Gray tank is filling.
Could you have left the black valve open by mistake, which will likely generate a hardened pile in your tank
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Old 06-23-2015, 05:44 PM   #11
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2nd time didn't work either. Any other suggestions?
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Old 06-23-2015, 05:52 PM   #12
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Other suggestions provided. Tried them?
I assume you are flushing bath gray tank with black open?
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Old 06-23-2015, 06:07 PM   #13
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Some thing else to try if your bath gray tank and black tank valves are near each other. Place a turn on valve on the main sewer exit pipe and close it. With the two gray tanks full open them filling the laterals and open the black tank valve and see if you can get some gray water to back flush into the black tank. Then open the turn on valve. Should create additional suction on the black tank. A lot depends on the plumbing on you unit. Sounds like you may have a solid pile in the tank. Have you looked under there to see if the valve is opening?
I initially missed your post, until I saw your second post. One of my gray tanks is next to the blank tank. The other is at the other end of the trailer and a very short distance to the sewer entry. I think I understand what you're saying. Would it be the same principle as using one of these? Also, I live in the travel trailer and make it a point not to leave the black water valve open.

http://tweetys.com/flush-king-holding-tank-rinser.aspx
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Old 06-23-2015, 06:29 PM   #14
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You want to dump the gray tank that shares the same "exit" that the black tank uses. In theory when you dump the gray, it will create a vacuum and pull the contents of the black tank. The more full the gray, the better.
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Old 06-23-2015, 06:35 PM   #15
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You want to dump the gray tank that shares the same "exit" that the black tank uses. In theory when you dump the gray, it will create a vacuum and pull the contents of the black tank. The more full the gray, the better.
yes sir. That's what I tried. Did you look at this device? Have you ever used one? Thoughts?

http://tweetys.com/flush-king-holding-tank-rinser.aspx
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Old 06-23-2015, 06:37 PM   #16
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yes, trying to get same effect as that piece, of course not the pressure of a garden hose. However even with that piece if it is not a straight shot into your tank will only get some minimum back flow.

With what I was suggesting wanted to try and get some back flow into the tank hoping to dislodge something. and hopefully also increase the suction when you open that twist on valve with all laterals full.

Would be nice to know the valve is actually opening
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Old 06-23-2015, 06:43 PM   #17
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yes sir. That's what I tried. Did you look at this device? Have you ever used one? Thoughts?

http://tweetys.com/flush-king-holding-tank-rinser.aspx
We sell them, I don't use one as it is useless IMO if there is any turns in the drain piping.

It may be time for drastic measures. With the valve CLOSED, run a garden hose up from the exit to the valve. Then with the hose turned OFF, open the valve and push the hose. If it does go in then the issue is probably in the plumbing between the toilet and the tank. If it doesn't go in, then you have figured it out.
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Old 06-23-2015, 06:47 PM   #18
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You definitely want to pickup one of these. It will save you many head aches with valves.

http://www.amazon.com/Valterra-T58-T...ra+waste+valve

If we want to back flush water into that black tank by whatever means it would be nice to know that valve is open
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Old 06-23-2015, 08:12 PM   #19
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Are you also sure your valve is working? Can you fell the valve opening and closing with the T handle, or is the T handle moving too easily?
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Old 06-23-2015, 08:33 PM   #20
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It sure sounds you have a pile/stack in the black tank under the inlet.
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