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InsideOut · 11-13-2005, 08:00 PM

We used Valve Lubricant...it's available at Camping World. It softened the old rubber seals and seeams to make the seal seal better. It's a cheap fix it it works for you like if did us.

You may also want to check if there is any 'debris' caught in the seal's groove...thankfully, a coat hanger works better than your fingernail!

Shari

sarmimi · 11-13-2005, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowellN

I've been using "offbrand" single ply toilet tissue in the RV for years. I figured that I was supposed to be "roughing it" when camping anyway......

Will non-RV brand two ply also work? Or must we use single ply? I like roughing it, but not ROUGHING it, if you know what I mean...

**azflycaster** · 11-13-2005, 10:07 PM

Toilet paper? Are you telling me that's not a hand held bidet?

overlander63 · 11-14-2005, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swanny

A question for the group. How do you fix a sticking/leaking dump valve? As Jack alluded to in his thread, our black water tank has a leak which presents a REAL messy problem when arriving at the dump station. As you can surmise, the cap on our drain keeps the liquids in, but when you remove the cap there is a.....well you know.

Any suggestions on how to fix this?

Mitch

The seals are available as a kit from most RV supply stores. When you get tired of getting blue showers, check out the repair kits...

Swanny · 11-20-2005, 06:49 PM

I'll try both of your 'fixes' to see what works. My hunch is that it might be some debri that's caught in the valve so we'll try the easy fix first and if that doesn't work we'll look at using the valve repair kits. Thanks again

Mitch

GlenCoombe · 11-20-2005, 07:21 PM

Swanny, the valve kit is not a big deal. I managed to do it right the first time not long ago. Often I have to do things a few times to get 'em right. Solved my leaking problem. Lubed the thing good with valve lube and use it each time I dump the tank. Don't be afraid to take on the whole job. Glove up and have fun

Tin Hut · 11-20-2005, 07:30 PM

Couldn't resist "piling on" to this thread. "Bottom" line is if one used this device you wouldn't even have to worry about flushing.

http://www.bumperdumper.com/

McMullen · 11-20-2005, 10:52 PM

Well if you do the sure cure is to pour a cup of apple vinigar, or any kind of vinagar will work, in the head and do not flush for a while . It will keep the whole bath area smelling good, Its good for the system and it dosent hurt the little bugs that eat that kind of stuff.. also a little vegitable oil once a week will keep all the parts working smoothly. Mac

**azflycaster** · 11-20-2005, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slonezy

also a little vegitable oil once a week will keep all the parts working smoothly. Mac

I have a hard time swallowing vegitable oil, do you recomend anything that tastes better?

campcollector · 01-24-2006, 08:29 PM

This thread has gotten way too funny.

I have found that if you have a leaky valve as mentioned before it helps to flush out the waste tank, leave the valve open, put the cap on and open the grey valve. The soap dish oils and such will lube the wast valve gaskets, and leaving the waste valve open for a few days while your not using the trailer will let the gasket rebound a little in the non compressed state. I have had this work for me on two occactions.

bill benton · 01-25-2006, 07:36 PM

I think Tin Huts link to bumper-dumper is the way to go.

But wait! I've always been told not to attach anything to the back of a airstream.

Sorry couldn't resist. I guess vegetable oil would lube the seals ok, But wouldn't that make the seat awfully slippery. I have septic and the rule has always been; [If you didn't eat it first don't flush it ]should apply as much or more to campers than to anyone else. When we dump our tanks, we really don't know where it goes just as long as it goes away.
Kidding asside, I think flushing the black tank throughly, letting it drain completly and lubricating the gasket would prolong the life of a worn seal.

**Action** · 01-26-2006, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill benton

Kidding asside, I think flushing the black tank throughly, letting it drain completly and lubricating the gasket would prolong the life of a worn seal.

Are you sure that is the straight poop?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

bill benton · 01-27-2006, 05:28 PM

I'mm not going to be the expert on this pooporum. But I do know a bit about Plumbing. You all know. Wash your hands before you eat. Shower after work, not before. Payday is on Friday. And the one everyone"s waiting for [Poop don't run uphill]

DreamStreamr · 02-28-2006, 07:41 AM

I'm with CampCollector -- we are still newbies at only twenty months of Airstreaming but we haven't used black tank chemicals and have had zero problems. We'd heard chemical companies say, "oh, it's just a little bit of formaldehyde", and dump stations say "it's too much for us". Oh, and it's another one of those products with RV on the label = expensive.

We always prime black tank with plenty of water, try always to wait and dump black tank when it is at least half-full. Our tank also has the turbo-super-duper whirly tank rinser for after emptying the tank. Something is working right, whatever part of the above it is. Hope it keeps on . . .

Boondocker · 02-28-2006, 08:00 AM

Seems like black tank topics always result in alot of dirty cracks. I wont complain though, I will just turn the other cheek....

ScottW · 12-01-2006, 07:07 PM

I read a post on the comany forum (before it was taken off line for a while) that said he had been using Pine sol (regular flavor) for years and has had no problems. The pine oil is supposed to lubricate the valves/seals. My current copy of RV parts, etc from the local RV dealer has a section on chemicals that says NEVER use pine oil products because they will cause deterioration of the seals. OK...whom do I believe. Pine sol is much cheaper and the smell isn't bad... I trust your comments.
Scott

peegreen · 12-01-2006, 07:27 PM

An article in the Blue Beret about a year ago suggested using a type of oil in the tank to lube the seals - don't recall the exact type, but it wasn't pine, vegetable, corn, olive, peanut, safflower, lemon, mineral, baby, motor....

Roscinante · 12-01-2006, 07:33 PM

All this talk about pooh and tinkle reminded me of a joke....

Seems three AS owners died and went to Hell. Old Satan met them to give them the tour. Each was shown a room and told they would have to spend eternity there. The first room was a huge glass tank filled with boiling water. One AS owner was thrown into the middle of the room. The second room was filled with all kinds wild animals running around biting people. The second AS owner was thrown into that room.

FInally, the terrified third AS owner was shown a room with a group of people drinking coffee, smoking, and walking around. Unfortunately, the room was full of stinking, chunky "black water" pooh. The third AS owner was escorted into the middle of this room. There, the AS owner was placed, hot latte in hand, chatting away with a beautiful Bambi owner.

Wow! This is too cool he thought. I can handle this.

Suddenly, there was a huge crack of a whip, lightening flashed, and an incredibly ugly demon screamed out....

"Coffee break is OVER! Everyone back on your heads!"

peegreen · 12-01-2006, 07:37 PM

The beginning of the story goes, These A/S owners were being punished for impure thoughts, contemplating trading in their rigs for square boxes.

SilverSurfer · 12-01-2006, 07:40 PM

Hi everyone, looks like this might be the right place for this question.....

71 Airstream, no grey tank. black water tank missing. If I want to park it and live in it, do I have to use the blue tank for grey water and sewer? Or can you bypass the grey onto the ground (biodegradable of course) and use the blue tank only for sewer? Any idea about how often the blue tank will need to be emptied for one person? Please help. Thanks!

Jenny