Visit our Popular Forums

Capt Quirk · 07-13-2011, 05:14 PM

The stuff is starting to get deep!I've been trying to drain the auxiliary tank, but nothing was coming out. Today, the shower was full to the top with black water. Opening the main tank, the shower drained. But now it refuses to go down any further, and it does smell... and I need a shower... Help? Plunging hasn't cut it.

InsideOut · 07-13-2011, 05:22 PM

What year/model trailer are you dealing with here?

Shari

Capt Quirk · 07-13-2011, 05:46 PM

Duh... Yeah, that would help. It's a 77 Airstream 32'(?) Landyacht.

TG Twinkie · 07-13-2011, 06:11 PM

I think your trailer has 2 dump valves. One for the grey tank and one for the black tank. Are you saying that when you open the black tank valve it backs into the shower? Does either tanks contents empty thru the hose connection?

Capt Quirk · 07-13-2011, 06:17 PM

I open the grey water valve, nothing comes out. The shower filled up with black water, and would not drain until I opened the black water tank.

overlander63 · 07-13-2011, 06:40 PM

Next question: Do you know if it's ever worked correctly?

Capt Quirk · 07-13-2011, 06:55 PM

It did, more or less, until recently. Then I couldn't get anything out of the grey water tank.

Splitrock · 07-13-2011, 06:56 PM

My owner's manual says to empty tanks, put on drain hose, open valves, when tanks are empty close valves.

I wonder if a valve is broken. . .

Capt Quirk · 07-13-2011, 07:09 PM

I hope not. I don't even want to think about fixing that.

Splitrock · 07-13-2011, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Quirk

I hope not. I don't even want to think about fixing that.

I'd much rather fix a valve than have a shower full of black water. Just saying . . .

Capt Quirk · 07-13-2011, 07:20 PM

I'll just keep the blackwater open, and shower outside... it is still summer

jdalrymple · 07-13-2011, 07:32 PM

Open the gray water dump and turn on some faucets. Does water come out the dump port? Are you sure you don't have the valves mixed up? It seems that on my early 80s unit had the black tank was labeled main, and the gray as aux.

Capt Quirk · 07-13-2011, 07:41 PM

The tanks are labled the same as when I got the trailer. I'll try turning on some faucets tomorrow, when there is light.

wasagachris · 07-13-2011, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Quirk

I'll just keep the blackwater open, and shower outside... it is still summer

If you keep the black tank valve open the liquids will drain away and you'll end up with a poop pyramid at the bottom of the tank right below the toilet.

Splitrock · 07-13-2011, 07:57 PM

My owner's manual says to empty the black tank when it's full, then do a partial fill and dump as a rinse. If the gray valve is stuck closed, the black water wouldn't be able to find a way to the shower. If the gray valve is stuck open, the black water would be able to back flow into the gray tank with the cap on the drain, and the black valve open, but to what level?

If both valves are open, the cap's off, the hose is on, and there's water in the shower pan, something's broke or clogged . . .

Capt Quirk · 07-20-2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdalrymple

Open the gray water dump and turn on some faucets. Does water come out the dump port?

Negative. There is water leaking out all over the underside, but nothing from the dump pipe. I am about ready to just punch a hole through the bottom of the pipes.

Gringo · 07-20-2011, 07:49 PM

Been any non-marine toilet users who might have flushed a cloth diaper or anything like that visiting lately?

Any wild eyed dope fiends dash in, lock themselves in the head, flush a few times and then run out looking thinner?

Capt Quirk · 07-20-2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gringo

Been any non-marine toilet users who might have flushed a cloth diaper or anything like that visiting lately?

Any wild eyed dope fiends dash in, lock themselves in the head, flush a few times and then run out looking thinner?

Nope and nope.

Becky B. · 07-20-2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Quirk

Negative. There is water leaking out all over the underside, but nothing from the dump pipe. I am about ready to just punch a hole through the bottom of the pipes.

Oooooh....that's bad.....that's very, very baddddd...... You're gonna have to rip into things to find out what's going on. Maybe a junction came loose or something.....stinks to be you (sorry, couldn't help myself)