how to lubricate rv holding tank valves and cables

In fact it's easily accomplished by most RV handypersons.if the cable broke while the valve was in the fully opened position, that is! To do this open and close the valves to the black and grey tank a few times. You may want to place a bucket underneath to catch anything that might leak out. Thats all you have to do. Doug Swarts is a 25-year RV industry expert at creating and implementing revolutionary products for all RV waste management systems. Where to Find the Best RV Couch Replacements, Walmart Alternatives for Free Overnight RV Parking, Dog Camping Tents Your Pet Will Actually Love, Dow Corning 111 O-Ring Silicone Lubricant (5.3 oz. Dear Dave, The thickness will allow you to tap the body with enough threads to screw in a plug or grease zerk. But unless the choice of lubricants is one that will go into suspension with water, the lube will simply float on the top of the tank water and hang out there until you finally dump the tank. Ron and Joan2005 Itasca Sunova 34A2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland. You are using an out of date browser. | Page 5 If you add enough of it to the holding tank that has the gate valve stuck closed it might be able to work its way to the bottom of the tank and the gate valve. Maintenance prevents unwanted surprises. One other item to inspect is the proper installation of the cable, if it applies to your vehicle. . Any suggestions for enclosed tanks and valves? I would think that those were two different characteristics to take into consideration. DO NOT USE the old standby, WD-40. 5 Regrets of RV Camping in a National Park. When was the last time you lubricated your RV black tank valve? Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2. Is the Thousand Trails Cabin Pass Worth It? If your valves are installed in the tank piping with the handle lower than the 3 9 oclock position when you open the valve the water inside will seep into the valve body (the root cause of sticky valves). Every Saturday and Sunday morning. Should You Camp at the Thousand Trails Chehalis Resort? Learn how your comment data is processed. Keep both the grey and black dump valve closed until one or both tanks need to be emptied. If you like the hole drilling method make sure you spray lubricant inside the gate valve once or twice every year to keep it working correctly. It works well but its not my favorite method for regular maintenance because it involves drilling a hole in the gate valve housing. Holding the piping/flanges apart, insert the valve between the flanges being sure NOT to move the seals. I would do this as I was waiting for the tanks to dump not sure but I think they are starting to work easier. Thats at least a 40+ year old trick and a great one to suggest to those who havent thought of it. Learn more. NPS calls out YouTube and TikTok users. Around $150.00. Coconut oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil will all help. 2022 RVTravel.com All rights Reserved. If you want to be notified when we post a new video, then click the Bell Icon. One gallon of cheap vegetable oil (fry oil) at GFS is about $4.50. Front gray and both black tank handles are in the water bay. We have heard from a number of our customers that speculate this would be the answer to solve their problems once and for all. Sorry for the late reply. This will not show on your comment but is for us to contact you if necessary. Kitchen galley gray tank drain is up underneath, by the actual drain, about 12-18 inches in front. Its not something you want to deal with as an RVer because of the nature of the beast but its a reality. Once the hold is drilled put the nozzle straw that came with the can of lubricant into the hole and spray lubricant inside the gate valve until its filled with lubricant. the freeze statrs Friday night and it is Wednesday night. Every Saturday and Sunday morning. A quart bottle treats a tank eight or nine times. Then we pull each valve a few times to lubricate the action. 2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3, Mor/Ryde King Pin and I.S., 17.5" Wheels w/ H Rated Tires,Automatic Level Up, 2012 Ford F450 Lariet, 6.7 L, CC, 4WD, DRW w/ Air Bags, Reese Signature 25K Hitch. DO NOT USE the old standby, WD-40. Make sure not to tighten the bolts too much, or you risk cracking the flanges. Click to visit Daves forum. Hopefully, everything was ok over the holiday. Eco-Save Original Formula is a cleaner and odor remover that's said to be safe for all RV holding tanks. Some people recommend that you should never leave the gray valve open either, as it can allow odors from the parks sewer system up into your RV. A plug would work better as you can spray silicon spray into the hole then plug it again. The Valterra gate valve is the most common model used by RV manufacturers. I'm really having a lot of friction when trying to pull the gray and the black water cables. Then, with the gate valves closed pour 1/2 a cup in the toilet and the sink that is the closest to the grey tank. Waste flows through a 3" ABS gate valve with 50:1 gear reduction developing plenty of torque for years of service. How much veg oil do you pour in? We have started a new forum link for Ask Dave. Please follow these rules when commenting on RVtravel.com. A lot of "old-timers" use mineral oil or even cooking oil, like vegetable oil. By continuing to use our site, you consent to accepting cookies. If there is no lube to try, Ill have to give a shot at tearing into the back of the wet bay. Run the water until you smell the bleach, then let the tank sit for at least 24 hours after you have drained all the bleach water. If all else fails you can try loosening the bolts that are holding the gate valve together to release whatever is keeping it closed. new 2023 venture rv sporttrek st333vik travel trailer #1538 with 31 photos for sale in blue grass, iowa 52726 . This keeps the gate space and pull rod seal lubricated. I do think it is a good idea to occasionally dump some recommended conditioner down both the black and gray water tanks to lubricate and condition the rubber seal that the spade valve slides in and out of. Kitchen Sink, 3 Burner Range, Refrigerator, Pantry and More! This works well . See Also:Best Septic Safe RV Toilet Paper Brands Reviewed. Fulltimer Class ofLate2015, with my beautiful bride, Lori. Tighten the provided hardware to complete installation. What are your likely plans for 2023? Status: Offline. Its also a great way to prevent RV gate valves from getting sticky in the future. Valve easily adapts to existing bolt on flanged valve connections. The veggie oil is a gallon jug the cheapest (~$5) stuff from Walmart or similar store. went to drain black water tank and handle came out with the cable nothing drained so i pushed cable back so did the end of the cable come off, the gate ? Happy camper. We full-timed in our Sunnybrook for 7 years and on the rare occasions we had a full hook-up site, we flushed those tanks within an inch of their life. It works for a while, then I put more in. Buy an RV, sell your RV, or both? This method is kind of a long shot, especially if youre trying to unstick the black tank valve. I thought the same about the cables being run better, but after having to take down the coroplast, I see that they are actually run very well. U got silicone greases too. Ive got a sticky gray valve but cant get to it as its enclosed. Proper maintenance is the best way to keep the gate valves to the RV holding tanks from getting sticky, hard to open and close, or stuck. american ninja warrior tryouts 2022 locations. Buy an RV, sell your RV, or both? Most RVs with cable pull or rod-actuated valves are positioned in the side or 3 oclock side of the exit pipe, allowing this contaminated water to lay in the bottom of the body and creating this issue over time. Stock #008828C. Remove the seals from the flanges and inspect both of the seals and the flanges for cracks or abrasion. The gate is pulled aside, or open, by an attached stainless steel rod. Were asked often about the proper method to lubricate a sticky RV dump valve. Then remove the screw and fill the valve with lubricant while the gate valve is open. There is no way to get lubrication to this seal. Product information Technical Details Additional Information Feedback Be careful not to ding or in any way damage that steel rod, as a rough rod can create problemslike tearing up the shaft seal. As part of our winterizing process, I decided to pour vegetable oil into the gray and black water tanks and work the dump valves to lubricate them. My RVs waste tank valves are starting to stick. TC372 Valterra Motorhome Black Water Holding Tank Waste Valve Body with 72" Flexible Cable - 3" Valve Value - This item Its a simple concept, but a couple of things can get in the way of a simple operation. Did the drill hole only difference used a small self tapping screw very gently so not to strip it out worked like a champ thanks. Drain Tanks and Unbolt Waste Valves. Wait for 10 minutes to allow the lubricant to flow down the plumbing lines, into the grey and black tanks, and settle on the gate valves. Diane. Hope it helps. By adding a Zerk fitting (grease fitting) to the dump valve assembly, they pump grease into the cavity around the steel rod. IF possible, reposition the valves so the valve body is above the 3 9 oclock position so the water that seeps into the valve body will drain back into the bottom of the pipe. When your RV black tank valve gets harder to open, you dont want to wait until it breaks. 1450 East Vienna Street, Anna, IL 62906. We're so happy that you found us out there in the Youtube world!\rIf you like our channel, then give us some sub love and please subscribe. Just make sure the tanks are empty! Periodically agitate the valve with the open or hole end down in the water the idea is to remove the debris that collects in the body of the valve over time as the gate is opened to dump your tanks. But if nothing else has been effective this could work as a last resort. The veggie oil is a gallon jug the cheapest (~$5) stuff from Walmart or similar store. You can also try tapping on your RV black tank valve with a hammer. Thetford has a great product we have used for several years called the Drain Valve Lubricant. Pull the T handle all the way out, spray the metal rod, slide it in, pull it out again, spray the metal rod, slide it in, etc., etc. Now "work" the valve open and closed a few times. I have heard both ways over the years, might depend on where you are from. I think will go out right now and spray and work the hell out of it and see if it loosens up. Now work the valve open and closed a few times. If the upstream side of the valve is glued to the pipe, Id disassemble the valve then determine if its feasible to replace with most of a new valve. Living in Florida we don't put the RV into storage but I'll bet it would help if it sits for a month or so too. Then dump in as much water as you can. Charlie. Its especially worth doing if youre consistently having problems. so jack the fiver up, put down cardboard on the gravel and go to town upside down removing the belly coraply and disasembly of the BRISTOL valves. I'm concerned that they spoke of UV protection, but not lubrication. All tanks are available with a 3" spigot fitting and 4 level sensors installed. Usually, a 3/4 full black tank wont freeze from a few days of low temperatures. The odds of this working are greater in the grey tank but it could still work in the black tank as well. Remove the bolts securing the valve. I followed the suggestions on the forum and added a gate valve at the end of the sewer pipe. I removed them and cleaned everything with soap and water. ABS Polymer adhesive and fittings are also available. i finally went and bought new valves, they were cheep. I would do this as I was waiting for the tanks to dump not sure but I think they are starting to work easier. You want the dish soap to reach the gate valve at the bottom of the tank. Either pull the rod out by hand or grip the broken piece with pliers and slide it out a little. Thetford makes a lot of RV products, including toilets and portable holding tanks. Who Owns Loki Expedition (Formerly Basecamp)? Its worth a try though, and if you use a ton of dish soap it might be able to work its way down to the valve. Why Do People Put Pool Noodles on Their RV Slideouts? I am quite sure that they tell you not to use WD-40 on them. Take care of all of the different parts of your RV. or any other ideas why black Valve seems working in that cable moves but nothing out. oz. For the black tank, just pour down the toilet. And no i probably wouldnt make a good mother. ) The "cable" is a solid core flex rod with a sheath several feet in length winding it's way down to the black tank gate valve. A plumber friend of mine told me to use it on my clean outs when I plumbed my house. The front gray drains out of the same outlet as the 2 black tanks. Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Your ice cube tray does a lot more than just make ice, Holy federal film permit, Batman! Refill the tank, then run the water again, until the smell of bleach is gone. no go! Molycoat is what I use too and it works really well. Plug the hole with a small screw. I have put vegetables oil in gray tank. Empty and clean your tanks by filling the tanks 2/3 full of water then dumping, repeat until the clear view fitting at the sewer ground inlet runs clear and free of particulate. In some cases the 1.5-inch gray valve gets sticky over time especially if the RVer is not using his RV full time. it worked 2 weeks ago and not freezing yet. This post may contain affiliate links, This post may contain affiliate links or mention our own products, please check out our disclosure policy. Required fields are marked *. This wrench is designed with grooved pins to hold the camshaft pulley stationary while loosening and tightening the center shaft bolt While useful on most Asian overhead cam engines, it is most needed on transverse mounted V6 engines such as the VG30 used in Nissan Maximas, as well as, the 3VZFE and lMZFE engines used in Toyota Camrys. RV Lock Replacement. It seems that a shot of lube directly to the valve rod is about the only practical solution, at least from our experience. Gone are the days of having to use a manual valve to dump your tanks. Again, its an easy fix, if done properly. for each tank. If the tank is almost full you might not be able to add any extra water, but thats ok. Leave a little space in the tank so the liquid and waste inside can slosh around and mix up the dish soap. Now work the valve open and closed a few times. When you dump a tank and the handle is pulled to the open position, simply shoot the stainless rod with a good shot of lubricant spray containing silicon or Teflon. IN CONCLUSION Make sure your tanks are empty and clean. Attach a photo or two if it might help Dave with his response. Please be as brief as possible. After getting the oil in the tanks, work the valves open an closed several times to work the oil into the gate seals until they slide easily. Works great. What are your thoughts on lubricating waste tank valves? On ours, it took putting about 1/2 gallon of oil in each tank and running it through twice to get them loosened up real good. tried the dump the soap lube down the toilet and the shower. I've had to clean the black tank valve once before and it's a pain to have to drop the underbelly cover for this simple procedure. - Carl Segan, Our "Rolling Rest Home" 2013 Trilogy 3650RL dragged by a 2005 GMC Sierra 4x4 Diesel Dually -SOLD. Your ice cube tray does a lot more than just make ice, Holy federal film permit, Batman! The 19th Hole: Featured RV-Golf Resort Eagle Nest Resort/Polson Bay GC, Get Free Weekly RV LIFE Updates in your Email Inbox, Decluttering Your RV: Make The Most Of Your Small Space, Passport America Discount Camping Club Is Still Going Strong, The BestCounty Park CampgroundsFor RVers. First, keep the rod well lubricated. It might still be pretty hard to open but hopefully, enough of the lubricant was able to get inside the valve to loosen it. The handle will either be connected directly to the gate or it will be connected to a long cable that leads to the gate valve thats located further away. (I guess Im not a big fan of working with _____. There may be others I don't know. As you can see in the photo, it has a plastic gate or spade that slides in and out of the dump hole. Another help would be if the cables that are in the crawl space were run with as straight a shot as possible, or at least with large radius turns or bends. A 7/64ths inch drill bit and a #8x1/2 inch stainless steel screw works best to plug the hole.You don't have to use lithium grease, you can use any lubricant that you think is appropriate and one that will not damage the valves in your particular system, which may be different than mine. Some say that the best way to lubricate a sticky black or grey tank valve is to use WD-40 on the handle and inside the box that holds the gate valve when its open. how to record directors salary in quickbooks Accept X (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wU-a8W44_4), NO MESS: At-home RV body valve repair is mess-free for your convenience, VERSATILE: Bladex valve is compatible with GrenTec, Blade, Valterra, Bristol, and Anonda valves. If you can get it open, dump your RV. They have 4 tanks, 5 if you include fresh water. Home Fix For Hard To Open & Close RV Black Or Grey Tank Valves. What I also do after rinsing the black tank is open and close the black valve while dumping the gray tank, the soap tends to help lube the black valve seals. Please do your due diligence when deciding which lubricant to use. You can absolutely feel the difference when the oil begins to cover the surfaces of the valve itself. You can revoke your consent any time using the Revoke consent button. I have occasionally sprayed the cables the same way as you which really helps. Coconut oil is added to prevent sticking valves, making equipment last longer. If the bolts get removed all of the ways the gate valve will fall open and the contents of the holding tank will come spilling out uncontrollably. Now work the valve open and closed a few times. Ive been an auto mechanic for 43 years, and never heard them called anything but ZERKS. Access to the valves is actually easy without cutting the Coroplast. See Also:What Do I Need To Use Hookups At An RV Park Or Campground? But the goal is just to keep the valve and gasket lubricated a bit. any ideas be very greatful. RV LED Awning Light Strip: Replace and Do-It-Yourself The team, Matt and Bart, demonstrate the steps for replacing a LED awning light strip on an RV. Little did I know theres actually a simple fix to this issue that will also help keep the valves opening easily in the future. tried 2# new 3 #blk valves last mo, both are sticking (hear rubber dragging on pull leaver shaft. WATCH VIDEO Easily replaces manual or cable pull valves. We sold our home in April 2018 to downsize into a Grand Design 344GK-R 38ft Fifth Wheel. Or send your inquiries to him using the form below. It doesnt harm O rings so it should be fine for these valves. Your email address will not be published. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. now its a pleasure too open and close the valves they work nice and easy. However, there are products made specifically for this purpose. Provides an easy way to open and close the remotely installed valve. Try going to a motorcycle dealership/repair shop. Another area that you will want to inspect is the actual lever rod and cable if you have a remote location for the handle. Thanks for your interest. A little plastic gate rides between two rubber seals (one on the outside of the gate and one on the inside), preventing the stuff from rolling out. We occasionally update our terms and privacy policies pages so if you have not read them lately, we encourage you to do so. Snaked the lines, drilled a hole, baking soda vinegar trick, and everything else under the sun. This short video will show you how to easily lubricate your RV dump valves without having to disassemble the plumbing pipes and valves. Wish I could find something that is good durning cold weather. Your real email is required. Like adding water and treatment to the black tank. Save my name and email in browser cookies for the next time I comment so I won't have to enter that information again. RV Waste Superstore - On Sale Now! Now finger-tighten the four bolts/nuts then use a wrench and tighten them to 20-inch pounds of torque OR no more than 1 1/2 full turns. I dont know if this will cure your problem but it wont hurt. Holding the piping/flanges apart, insert the valve between the flanges being sure NOT to move the seals. vinessa vidotto parents. Are The National Parks in Tennessee Worth Visiting? . Rockport TX. Your email address will not be published. RV Holding Tank Dump Valves. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its effective and safe for RV waste systems and holding tanks. Rating Easy fix by: Anonymous Tap on inner gate with a 2x2 and hammer. For use on Nissans, Toyotas and other OHC engines. Then every so often I spray wd40 into holes. oz. RV Sanitation. They are universal, so dont worry about getting the wrong one. Open and shut the valve to make sure it works smoothly. Can you fix it yourself, or will you have to spend money hiring a mobile RV tech? Only downside is that the 303 is more expensive than either of the others. I will do this with only about 2-3 gallons of water for sloshing and just before a trip. 2014 Ford F450 King Ranch CC PSD LB DRW 4.30 Moonroof 6.7 auto Navigation Sirius/XM sony radio Air bag suspension with tank and monitor Transfer Flow 75 Gallon tank with Monitor Reese 25K hitch/goose hitch 2009 Elite Suite 36RSSB3/4 #5008