T-Handle on Black Water Tank won't lock in place

[RichP21]

For some reason the T-Handle won't push-in far enough to allow locking clamps to secure. I'm baffled - T-Handle on grey water locks in place fine and visually, there's no difference. Suggestions on what I'm missing? Many thanks.

[07007]

Ya, I'm having the same problem! The black water is leaking into the 3" pipe and dripping on the ground (at home lucky I'm not in a park ) looking forward to someone who knows what's wrong to come to our aid. Wishing us luck. In my case the BW tank has been empty for almost a year while I refurbished the interior. Wondering if the gasket dried out and warped? Now I have to drain the pipe into a bucket so I can dump the rest of the tank into septic system. Yuck. Then I'll move the AS so I can climb under and see if the T and shaft can be removed.
Bob

[AnnArborBob]

It's either a bad gasket or something is stuck in the opening and preventing the blade valve from closing completely. Try shooting some water up the dump tube and see if you can clear the opening so the valve can close completely. Be prepared for a bit of a mess.

[SteveSueMac]

You can adjust them by turning them clockwise or counter clockwise. There's also a nut on the thread that you can back up or move forward to align the T handle to connect with the wing clips. Give that a shot. Works for me 😄

Good luck!!

[polarlyse]

The adjustment suggestion is only good if the valve is fully closed and not leaking. Then you can adjust the pull handle to fit the wire straps. If it's leaking you gotta find out why. If you use a flush king valve that fits on the discharge end you can close the valve and back fill your tanks ( both of them if necessary ) with water to get a high volume flush. Doing is several times will help if things have sat for awhile. If that won't cure it I would look further into the valve blade gasket bing the culprit. Not sure how to do that short of going through the process of removal and if doing that may as well replace it with a new one. But multiple high volume flushes is easy and may just work.

[07007]

Bunches of good ideas guys thanks for trying to help us. i'll give feedback once the 100+ days pass and I don't have drown in my own sweat working under the AS!
Bob

[RichP21]

Thanks for all the ideas and potential solutions. Will give it shot.

[07007]

Nothing tried works now I can't open the valve at all. Spoke with AS Service tech here in Fl who said that shaft that attaches to the gate is not a screw in but a pin. In all likelihood it has snapped. Anyway I'm scheduled for a fix on July 20. Have to leave it for two weeks in hopes of getting squeezed in. gotta be back on road by Aug 6.

[polarlyse]

The pin is likely just a small cotter pin. If you can open the access to look it's probably a simple fix. If you can't get easy access that could be a game changer. Good luck with it