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09-13-2020, 12:01 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Sun City West
Posts: 907
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Lack of Grey Matter
I have two grey tanks and 1 Black. Black tank and Grey 1 (shower) drains fine....there is a large rush when the handles are pulled. Grey 2 (kitchen) has started to act up. There is no large rush when I open the valve. Instead, I get only a steady stream that barely creeps up into view on the clear sewer elbow. This has been going on for a couple of weeks. New today is that I also hear a gurgling sound when I close the gate valve after attempting to drain this tank. Also, even if I keep the gate valve until I barely see a trickle flowing through, I can never get the tank gauge to read less than ¼ full on this tank.
In case it matters, setup is as follows:
(3) T-handles – one for each tank
(2} Outlet Connections on the coach
I connect two short sewer hoses to each outlet. I connect these to a
sewer T-fitting. The third connection on the ‘T’ then runs to the sewer. I also want to note that the trailer has been parked since the end of July and is only used on weekends. I do not keep any of the gate valves open.
So, it seems like there is some sort of blockage, even though we are pretty scrupulous in not rinsing grease and food debris down the drain. I’m thinking of running a fish tape up the outlet tube in an attempt to dislodge anything up there. I’ve also seen that pouring some liquid dishwasher liquid into the drain, adding hot water and then driving around to stir things up before dumping may help.
Any other/better suggestions or ideas?
Thanks as always!
__________________
2022 Rockwood Signature 8324SB
2019 F350, SRW, 6.2L, 4.30 gears
Sold: 2020 Keystone Cougar '1/2 ton' TT, 29RLKWE
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09-13-2020, 01:02 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 708
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Uh oh. You may be a victim of the dreaded”divot”. I have read in the forums herethat sometimes when they drill the hole in the tank for the outflow pipe, the divot ends up in the tank instead of coming out with the holesaw. I've never witnessed the process of doing this so I can't be certain it's a thing. But your issue sounds like it could be something like that. I can't imagine anything going into a grey tank that could block a 3” pipe like you describe, other than a divot from the holesaw.
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09-13-2020, 01:11 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,456
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Look up in the island for something that looks like this... un screw it and make sure the flapper isn't stuck shut.. a little silicone won't hurt
__________________
2015 Ford F350 DRW 6.7 Diesel XL
2020 Avalanche 313 RS
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09-13-2020, 05:34 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,846
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I was thinking the same thing as Javi. The air admittance valve, if stuck closed, will create a vacuum on the tank when you pull the handle and prevent air from replacing the gray water, causing it to "gurgle and slowly percolate its way to the sewer hose"....
One way to test it is to pull the galley gray tank valve handle, then go inside and unscrew the admittance valve. If you hear a "rush of air" and the tank starts emptying faster, then the valve is likely stuck shut. You can try to repair it. I've not had even halfway decent luck fixing one. Invariably, I get the valve working, then reinstall it and the next morning, it's no longer stuck shut, it's stuck open and the entire cabinet it's in smells like "rotten sink water"... YMMV.
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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09-13-2020, 05:50 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hemlock
Posts: 816
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Another vote for the air admittance valve.
__________________
R.J. and Ginger
2019 Ram 3500 6.7 HO, Aisin Trans 3:73
Reese Goosebox
2019 Sandpiper 379FLOK
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09-13-2020, 06:25 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,237
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I hope that’s it. I’ve encountered the dreaded disc a few times. Worst part of a gray tank with that is you have to remove the drain pipe from the tank since it’s 3” like the inlet and not 1 1/2” like the drain pipe.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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09-14-2020, 05:14 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Sun City West
Posts: 907
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OK, thanks all. Will fiddle with it when we head back on Friday.
I have a hope that it is a vacuum issue, as I experimented closing the valve and removing/reconnecting the sewer hose. This seemed to give me a modest rush of water when I again opened the gate valve. Perhaps it's meaningless, but I'll be optimistic.
This coach was purchased new in 12/19. I have an appointment in November (see previous post related to blowouts/axle defect) to correct some blowout related cosmetic damage as well as a couple of other items. Is this draining issue something that would be included in my initial warranty period (provided it's not stuck due to user neglect)? I do have an extended warranty, if that matters...which I will be reviewing.
I really don't have a problem swapping out this bad valve on my own (non-warranty), but I'm particularly concerned about this Bullsh** divot issue. Sounds to me that that is the result of lazy and/or untrained labor. Can someone elaborate? Would this be covered under warranty if that is the cause of my draining issue?
__________________
2022 Rockwood Signature 8324SB
2019 F350, SRW, 6.2L, 4.30 gears
Sold: 2020 Keystone Cougar '1/2 ton' TT, 29RLKWE
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09-19-2020, 03:51 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Sun City West
Posts: 907
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I'm back at the camp site and had a chance to mess with the valve. I unscrewed it and examined it. If I shake it, I can hear something rattling around inside. Is that the flapper? I can spin the top portion and rotate it a few turns, but I can't seem to be able to remove it or anything. It is very hard to turn.
Is this supposed to come apart?
Where exactly is the flapper that would get stuck and how do I access (if necessary)?
Where would I apply the silicon?
I've attached a pic of the valve in question. Thanks!
PS: I neglected to review the posts prior to messing with this and did not go in the proper sequence when emptying the tank for testing. I removed the valve completely and then pulled the tank valve. I didn't really observe any change in flow. It's a decent stream for 15-20 seconds and then the trickle. My tank is 'dumpable' again now if it's worth trying to pull the gate valve first and then removing the AAV.
__________________
2022 Rockwood Signature 8324SB
2019 F350, SRW, 6.2L, 4.30 gears
Sold: 2020 Keystone Cougar '1/2 ton' TT, 29RLKWE
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