Black Water Tank Valve Won't Seat

[tdmaymac]

The title pretty much says it all. Any suggestions on how to remedy the problem? I completely flushed the tank until the water runs clear. The valve handle ends up about 1/2 inch from being able to clip it closed. Any advice would be helpful as we about to embark on a 2-week trip in a few days. It's a 2011 Flying Cloud. Thanks.

Tom

[purman]

We had this problem once with the toilet. There was a peace of toilet paper stuck in the rubber gaskets. Get a flash light and take a look. I used a metal hanger to hook it out.

[techiej]

If you can't see it/snag it, can you try to backflush it?

[Mike Leary]

Try hot water into the tank with the valve closed, fill it up and with the drain hose hooked-up, move the shut-off back and forth as it drains. Try some WD-40 or such on the rod. TP does not get used in our black water tank because of the above problems, we simply have a little sack that gets disposed of daily.

[dbj216]

It is hard to imagine toilet paper jamming a gate valve open. Toilet paper has very little strength when soaked. The "sliding gates" in these valves are quite sharp on the moving end. Kinda like an real thin axe blade. A popcorn kernel from the kitchen sink could jam a valve open if a guy is really unlucky. Or the grand daughter flushing a rubber ducky down the toliet. Cute!

If something is jammed in the drain valve, it probably feels like it won't close all the way. Does your valve appear stuck open when trying to push it shut. Debris in the valve would cause a significant leak. So when your tank is half full of water, valve shut, do you see a significant flow out your sewer drain connection? More flow than a slow drip.

The cause of my leaking valve was a cut seal. Mine was just a slow drip leak, but after 400 miles on the road, I got maybe a cup of water when I took the sewer connection cap off. I agree with trying to pressure spray the valve area through the drain manifold. If repeated spraying does not get it, I am afraid you will have to disassemble the valve and examine the seals. At least the parts are cheap!

David