1985 Argosy Black Water Tank Dump Valve Repair

[squareboat]

I do a fair amount of dry camping, and I am finding my 32 year old dump valves are dripping when closed. Both the Grey water and black water tanks have a rod with a handle, when pulled open the dump valves. The tanks and valves are enclosed with a sheet metal enclosure underneath which is riveted in place and I will have to drill out. Are these valves easy to replace and are replacement parts readily available? I just want an idea of what I am getting into before I get the tools out. 1985 32' Argosy.

[CRH]

My Airstream manual says right in it the way they replace the dump valves is to cut a hole in the belly pan, do the repair, and cover with a replacement panel....That is just what I did the summer before last.

I ordered the valves and tank adapters from Vintage Trailer Supply. I got the necessary plumbing pipe at Lowes. The whole job took me a day, mainly because I kept dragging this tool and that tool out to do the job. I made a cover panel from a street sign from the recyclers. Now, with an access panel and knowledge, I think I could do the job in a couple of hours or less.

[squareboat]

Alas, I had more pressing projects to do and so had to put the Argosy squarestream back in storage. There is some sort of enclosure that is pop riveted in place. Did the regular Airstreams have a flat belly where all the tanks were built into the floor area? This one protrudes underneath, and the pan seems to be removable. I have included a photo here.

[CRH]

Regular airstream have a belly pan that is removable. Most choose not to remove it and instead cut a hole and put in an access panel.

[Sweeney153]

I have a 1988 argosy squarestream and I need some help. i have two water inlets one for city water and one for the black water flush. they both have seen better days so I decided to replace them.When I took them off the black water flush was not connected to anything. I can't find the hose and don't know where it should connect to. any body have any ideas.

[squareboat]

Well I finally did my grey and Black water tank valves. In stead of a belly pan, there is a pan that covers the valve area and sewer hose connection, about 18" x 12" or so. The hardest part was to drill out the rivets about 18 or so, I had to get a 90 degree drill adapter because the trailer sets so low to the ground. with the pan off I was able to remove the 2 valves and discovered that by loosening two hose clamps the entire assembly can be removed in a unit from the tank fittings. I discovered that my leaking was due to the bolts on the valve flanges were loose. i decided to change the valves anyway. Current Valterra valves were an exact match but the t handles had to be removed in order to connect the handle extensions from the original Argosy valves to the new Valterra valves. I took pictures of the process, but since it was 2 years ago now, I will need to hunt for them in order to post. No leaks now!

[squareboat]

Grey and Black water tank repair

Below, original valve on left next to replacement valterra valve on right. handle extension was fitted to Valterra valve.

Removing the Valterra T handle so that Argosy handle extension can be fitted.
Bottom: entire assembly can be removed as a unit by loosening 2 hose clamps at grey water and black water tanks.