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Old 08-26-2020, 12:19 PM   #1
hguilford
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Black/Grey tank handles frozen

After RVing for 30 years this is a first. When I was preparing to leave the campground this weekend in my two year old Avalanche I could not get the black water tank and one of the grey water tank "T" handles to move. They were both frozen solid. I found this odd since I camped two weeks prior with no issues with the handles, which are contained inside the control panel and not exposed to the weather and elements. The black tank handle is on the far left and the grey tank is the one beside it in the attached photo. After working on it for about 30 minutes I was able to free up the black tank handle with WD-40, ending up smashing my left arm into the opening of the control panel in the process. I never could get the grey tank handle to move so I will continue to saturate as much of the the handle rod as I can with WD-40 until it's free.
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Old 08-26-2020, 01:33 PM   #2
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WD-40 is a water displacement product and not the best lube; try some dry silicon spray. You may have to get to the tank and lube the actual rod on the valve (take down coroplast, etc).
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Old 08-26-2020, 01:49 PM   #3
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Thanks wiredgeorge, I have silicone spray. Just using the WD-40 to help free it.
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Old 08-26-2020, 02:34 PM   #4
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To George's point, there are a lot of products out there that are far better "penetrants" than WD40. WD40 also sells a product called specialist penetrant.
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Old 08-26-2020, 03:06 PM   #5
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Another thing that can be done is drill a 1/8" hole in the valve body and squirt silicon lube in there. Then screw in a small sheet metal screw. Best done at top part of the valve assembly if possible. There are penetrating oils such as PB Blaster but I have never found the stuff all that useful and it doesn't hold up as a lube.
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Old 08-27-2020, 05:50 AM   #6
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Thanks flybouy, I'll see what my local hardware store carries and try to get a good penetrant.
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Old 08-27-2020, 05:54 AM   #7
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I don't think I have to go that route just yet, wiredgeorge. It appears the problem is confined to the rod where it passes through the outer guide casing.
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Old 08-27-2020, 06:10 AM   #8
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If you drop/cut the coroplast take a look at how the cables are routed. If the cables have been "pinched" or "crimped" at a sharp angle then it will make the operation very difficult.
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Old 08-27-2020, 06:26 AM   #9
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I'm hoping to avoid doing that, flybouy. Fingers crossed for the penetrating oil.
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Old 08-27-2020, 06:34 AM   #10
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They sell a tool to lube the cable as well. Typically used on motorcycle cables. You can google "Cable lube tool" or maybe George or John will send you a recommendation on them.
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Old 08-27-2020, 09:21 AM   #11
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Cable Lube Tool

Great idea for cable maintenance. Of course I'll have to remove the coroplast but certainly worth it to keep this from happening again. Thanks for all the input.
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Old 08-27-2020, 01:52 PM   #12
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PB Blaster will most likely unstick those pull handle cables if you spray it at the top where the handle and sheath are and let it work it’s way down inside the cable sheath...

I spray mine twice a year and only need two fingers to pull the 3 handles out...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Blaster-...B-DS/310486628

I’d spray them and let sit for at least an hour then try to pull out a handle a little bit and spray more and let it seep down inside the sheath. Give it time to do its job...

It not only will free up those cables but lubricate and prevent future issues
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Old 09-12-2020, 10:29 AM   #13
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Black/Grey tank handles frozen

I wrapped the handle shafts in clear plastic, filled it with penetrating oil and let it sit for two weeks. No joy! The penetrating oil had little to no affect on the handles since they are positioned horizontally. I really didn't want to take the coroplast off and knew if I could get the handles vertical the penetrating oil would have a better chance of working its way into the casing. I removed the basement panel to gain access to the cables and tie-wrapped them to my water lines in a vertical position, applied heat to the casing with a propane torch and put penetrating oil on the handle shaft repeatedly over the course of about an hour. VOILA!
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