Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-27-2006, 10:51 AM   #1
3 Rivet Member
 
1975 24' Argosy 24
Burlington , Ontario
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 109
toilet and dump valves

I have had numeros leaks in both the thedford toilet and dump valves.
I have found that it is best not to let them dry out the debrise from the waters and the waste get into the seals and they leak. I have replaced the valves and it is a job.
I did look at the valves and they are plastic, no metal. I put a pail under the dump valve outlet to check for leaking.
I then put 3 liters(quarts) of water into the toilet , applied two cups of pool (muriatic) acid to the water and dumped it into the holding tank.
I then did the same to the toilet.

I left it over night and in the morning there was no water in the test pail at the dump outlet. the toilet still held the same volume of water acid and I was most pleased.
I also appleid some white grease to the dump valve stems with a spray and all seems well ....for now

Rae
raebaker06 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2006, 07:23 PM   #2
Round on both ends
 
SafeHarbor's Avatar
 
1979 31' Excella 500
1975 28' Argosy 28
Rutledge , Georgia
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 783
Images: 39
Hi, Rae,

Well, it's hard to argue with success. Sometimes a bit of "matter" can get stuck in the valve, and just a little ride will cure it.

Let's hope this HOLDS for you.

Lamar

PS - Fill in your sig or your other stuff under the "User CP" link above so others will know what Airstream you have. (Unless it's a SECRET.)
__________________
1975 Argosy 28 "Argosy"
1979 Excella 500 31 "Betsy"
1992 Lincoln Mk 7 LSC
2003 Dodge 2500 Cummins "TowHog"
"Lucy Loosehair" the cat - Airstream mascot
Klaatu barada nikto
SafeHarbor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-04-2006, 08:09 AM   #3
FT RVing
 
lebolewis's Avatar
 
1976 31' Sovereign
Always searching for a place w/low Humidity , FT RVing, N & S, E & W, & in between
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 271
Leaking Black Water Gate valve.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rae
I have had numeros leaks in both the thedford toilet and dump valves.
I have found that it is best not to let them dry out the debrise from the waters and the waste get into the seals and they leak. I have replaced the valves and it is a job.
I did look at the valves and they are plastic, no metal. I put a pail under the dump valve outlet to check for leaking.
I then put 3 liters(quarts) of water into the toilet , applied two cups of pool (muriatic) acid to the water and dumped it into the holding tank.
I then did the same to the toilet.

I left it over night and in the morning there was no water in the test pail at the dump outlet. the toilet still held the same volume of water acid and I was most pleased.
I also appleid some white grease to the dump valve stems with a spray and all seems well ....for now

Rae
Hi Rae, interesting post. I'm checking out all systems on my 76 31ft Sovereign and after "sweating" getting the gate valves to open (dry tanks), I finally got them open and discovered that my main tank gate valve leaks a steady little stream. The gray water tank valve is good to go. I noticed that the gate on the main tank does not completely seat when closed, judging by the clips that fasten the rod handle. It looks like its about an 1/8 to 1/4 from being completely closed. I suspect there is a bit of dried sludge lodged in the bottom of the gate slot. I have seen some references on this site to having a piece of the gasket get in there. I sure hope that is not the problem, that cannot be dissolved! I tried soaking with a few gallons of soapy water....no help. My latest attempt is to seal off the end of the dump outlet tube, close the grey water valve and open the Maint tank valve and pour in lots of soapy water. That floods both sides of the main gate valve and hopefully will float the blockage out of the grove. I have let it soak overnight and I haven't check on the results, yet. Fingers crossed!

Your use of Muriatic Acid intrigues me. Does that disolve the gunk? Since you had no water in the bucket, that means you did not have a valve leak, but did the valve leak BEFORE you put the acid/water in the tank?

Any other tips from anyone? I've looked at the valves from the top side and I sure do not want to replace one if I don't have to! Thanks, Bill
lebolewis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-04-2006, 09:24 AM   #4
3 Rivet Member
 
1975 24' Argosy 24
Burlington , Ontario
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 109
Valve leaks

In answer to the fellow who quiried my post.
The bucket that was mentioned was at the sewer outlet outside the trailer.
It was used to see if any product seaaped through the valaves.

My valves where closed and it seemed that the valves leaked fluid. and I could not clean the residual crap (pardon the expression) sufficiently to seal the toilet and or the holding tank.

The water and the acid disolved the CRAP and the valves sealed the units so that no fluid appeared in the bucket outside.
This probably would not work well if you could not get the valve to completely close. (unless you flilled the entire tanks up so that the acid would touch the valves.)

REMEMBER PUT THE ACID INTO THE WATER..NEVER THE WATER INTO THE ACID.
You did not indicate which valve was troublesome. the toilet or the dump valve.

I would suggest that every one do this once per season or year. When dumping the acid solution just be sure to dilute the acid with lots of water.

Rae Baker Burlington Ont.
raebaker06 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-04-2006, 09:58 AM   #5
Silver Mist
 
LI Pets's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Riverhead , New York
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,011
Images: 28
On my new '77 the valves are open and dry, don't know how many years.

I tried to close them but they are tight.

Is it ok to hit them with a soft wood block to try and close?

How hard are they to remove, I see two riveted access panels in the belly.
__________________
Bob


LI Pets is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-04-2006, 11:46 AM   #6
Rivet Master
 
Road Ruler's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
St. Catharines , South Western Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,367
Images: 38
As always thnxs for your good information and expertise. Will give your suggestion a try soon.

The guy up the street from you!
__________________
Airstreams..... The best towing trailers on the planet!
Road Ruler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-04-2006, 12:20 PM   #7
FT RVing
 
lebolewis's Avatar
 
1976 31' Sovereign
Always searching for a place w/low Humidity , FT RVing, N & S, E & W, & in between
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 271
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lipets
On my new '77 the valves are open and dry, don't know how many years.

I tried to close them but they are tight.

Is it ok to hit them with a soft wood block to try and close?

How hard are they to remove, I see two riveted access panels in the belly.
Bob, I'm no expert on this, but I'm learning.

Since your gate valves are DRY, OPEN.....and FROZEN or nearly so, what you need, for starters, is lots of slick detergent liquid. I suggest you plug your outside dump outlet and then pour 10 gallons, or more, of soapy (use lots of liquid dish soap) water down your toilet. Since BOTH of your gate valves are now OPEN, this will partially flood both your Gray water tank and your Black water tank. If you don't like the idea of having water from the Black tank getting into the Gray tank, then pour the 10 gallons into the sink. You will now have soapy liquid on both sides of both valves. Let that soak overnight or even longer. Then see if you can close and open your valves. You may have to fill both tanks completely full to get enough liquid lubricant to make them function. And hopefully there will be no dried sludge stuck in the botton of either gate valve track! Good luck, Bill
lebolewis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-04-2006, 03:05 PM   #8
Rivet Master
 
GlenCoombe's Avatar
 
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Belleview , Florida
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,635
Images: 27
There are also rebuild kits for the gate valves that are not hard to put together. Once you lubricate the seal and blade be sure to work it a few times to distribute the lube.
A visual inspection of the seal will tell you if it's time for a rebuild...that or if it still dosen't move after lubing it up... don't forget the blade shaft too.
__________________
Glen Coombe AIR #8416
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Former Rolling Showroom & PuttLab (now party bus)
"I'm not an expert. But I did sleep in an Airstream last night."
GlenCoombe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-04-2006, 05:06 PM   #9
FT RVing
 
lebolewis's Avatar
 
1976 31' Sovereign
Always searching for a place w/low Humidity , FT RVing, N & S, E & W, & in between
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 271
Leaky gate valve.

Quote:
Originally Posted by GlenCoombe
There are also rebuild kits for the gate valves that are not hard to put together. Once you lubricate the seal and blade be sure to work it a few times to distribute the lube.
A visual inspection of the seal will tell you if it's time for a rebuild...that or if it still dosen't move after lubing it up... don't forget the blade shaft too.
Glen, putting the gate valve together is not the problem, that will be easy.......it's getting access to it and getting it out of there is THE problem....and it's no small task!

What do you use to lubricant the seals and rod?

I just checked my Main tank gate valve and all that "soaking in soapy water" was for naught! It still leaks a steady little stream. and the gate does not completely seat. It probably has the dreaded "seal in the track" desease. I'm now thinking of using Muriatic Acid as mentioned above by Rae Baker, just in case it's hard sludge in the track that is causing the leak. All you Muriatic Acid experts chime in here and tell me all the "cautions" about this approach. There must be some.

Using a bent coat hanger wire to clean out the track has been mentioned....how do you get at the valve seat? Do you remove the toilet and go in from that direction? That seems to be the shortest route to the valve seat. Is it a big job to remove the toilet and put it back? Any special tools or special stuff needed? Like special seals, etc.?

Help and advice welcomed. Bill
lebolewis is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
63 Globetrotter toilet questions 63air Sinks, Showers & Toilets 6 08-19-2010 09:52 PM
What's a '73 waste tank and toilet worth? vishwa Sinks, Showers & Toilets 1 08-07-2006 10:05 PM
Black water Dump valve Cautions r.baker43 LP Gas, Piping, Tanks & Regulators 4 01-23-2006 07:25 PM
below toilet tod47d Sinks, Showers & Toilets 10 05-05-2003 09:45 PM
toilet doesn't hold water.... Chuck Sinks, Showers & Toilets 12 10-08-2002 10:03 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:06 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.