black tank valve

[curlyfungirl]

After dumping the grey and black tanks this morning, I was not able to push the black tank all the way closed. It starts to close fairly easily but it has about two inches left to go. What can I do to get it to close all the way. Thanks

[Roller4Tan]

Run more water thru the toilet... there may be something blocking the valve.

[curlyfungirl]

I was thinking more lubricant wise.....what is a good lubricant to use?

[hankaye]

curlyfungirl, Howdy;

Do a search for Olive Oil.
Once you get it un stuck, you may have to do it manualy,
dump a full scoop of sodium carbonite (oxyclean),
into the tank after each dump, along with 3 bowles of clean water.
If you think it may have some freezing going on there, put a healthy
(I used to used a 32 oz. slurpy cup), of rock salt into the tank in the
Winter to help prevent ice-ups.
Only suggestions, your option ...

hankaye

[Keeper]

Another valve lubricant you can use is made by Camco - it's advertised to stop sticking valves. It's called Drain Valve lube with CO-CO Oil. You can get it CW or any other RV supply store. The way it works is by adding some to empty tanks then add a few gallons of water and drive around so that it mixes in the tanks. Then you open and close the valves several times and rapidly to lubricate the valves.

[SteveC7010]

If the valve is on a remote cable, there may also be an issue with the cable itself. Lubing them is a bit more difficult but there some gadgets available to help force lubricant into the cable. Motorcycle repair parts shops carry this one:


There are special cable lubricants available as well, but I'm not convinced on the need for the extra expense. If there is any chance of corrosion, then I'd use WD-40 to loosen things up and get the cable working smoothly. But remember that WD-40 is not a permanent lubricant. It's more of a solvent with temporary lubricating properties. Once it dries, lube up with silicone or some other lube that doesn't play well with water.

White lithium grease sprays are also good for this application as they are water repellent and can also be used elsewhere in the trailer. Conventional TT owners like it for ball lube. It is also great for car and truck door hinge lube.

Some of the graphite lubes are also good, again due to water repellant and longevity. Harder to force up into a cable unless you buy it in a spray can, but great in the colder weather because it won't freeze up. Those of us who live in the northern part of the hemisphere know well the uses of graphite lube on frozen car door locks.

[chuck&gail]

Sounds like something is stuck in the pipe. Camping World and the like sell a clear sewer pipe piece with a valve on the outlet and a molded hose attachment to spray water back up the pipe output. It works well on pipe clogs. Personally I'd try that first.

[curlyfungirl]

Awsome. I appreciate all of the input. The newest problem. The water from the kitchen sink will not drain. Everything else drains. I can open and close the grey tank plunger that is farthest from the hook up station but the other grey tank and the blank tank will not budge. Is this part of the problem? Getting frustrated as we wait for our skirting. Also. where do I pour the rock salt. Down the commode?

[Htfiremedic]

You may have two gray tanks, as do I.

[hankaye]

curlyfungirl, Howdy;

Originally Posted by curlyfungirl

Awsome. I appreciate all of the input. The newest problem. The water from the kitchen sink will not drain. Everything else drains. I can open and close the grey tank plunger that is farthest from the hook up station but the other grey tank and the blank tank will not budge. Is this part of the problem? Getting frustrated as we wait for our skirting. Also. where do I pour the rock salt. Down the commode?

Pouring the Rock Salt down the commode IS the most direct route
You can also dump som down the kitchen drain and the shower drain.
Whatever gets it into the system.
From the sound of what you are mentioning ("as we wait for our skirting"),
your drainsystem may be frozen.
You may need to thaw-out the undercarriage of your trailer. You need to get
some HEAT into that area. Thinking something like this may help to solve the
immeadiate problem. then you'll need to get something done about the skirting issue...
http://www.ehow.com/about_5407659_sa...r-heater_.html

You can rent these. Just block off the far end and part of the sides, loosen-up
the coloroplast along the edges so that good heat can get up in there to
work.
Just how I'd go about it. Some ideas to help get the creative jucies flowing...
Hope you get things flowing in short order... please let us know the hows and whats...
more info for others that may encounter the same problem...


hankaye

[curlyfungirl]

It is only the kitchen sink that wont drain. Everything else is draining fine. have heat tapes gallore all over the pipes.