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Gambrinus · 06-04-2007, 04:51 PM

The PO of my Argosy left me with a "present". I think at least the the blackwater valve is leaking based on the color of the "present." Both valves appear completely closed and I can't get either one to budge. I plan to try some soapy water so that I can flush the tanks. I'd like to find out what is leaking.

It does not appear that the valves have been worked on before. The belly pan appears to slide up into the rear bumper and is riveted down either side. No access panel. Since it appears the valves are original, I think a complete replacement is in order. Does anyone know the part numbers for the Theford valves for the grey water and blackwater tanks? I will have to order the parts since no local supplier has them. If I tackle this repair myself, I'd like to keep going once I start.

Gambrinus · 06-11-2007, 10:15 AM

More info. I got the black tank valve open and got the tanks cleaned out.

I cut a whole in the belly pan to get access to the valves. The only info I could see on the valves was:

Thetford 01447 Slide EZ Valve, DMW IAMPO T-1169.

I was looking around on the Inland RV site and did not see this valve listed. I would like to replace these valves since they are the originals. Does anyone know if this part is still available? Is there another thetford valve that can be used in place of the 01447 Slide EZ Valve?

Susan

AYRSTRM2 · 06-11-2007, 10:28 AM

Thetford products are readily available from many RV sources. I prefer Dyers RV supply as my source. Here's their page on sewer valves. They don't have the part number you mention, but a call to the Thetford factory may prove fruitful.

Gambrinus · 06-15-2007, 11:48 AM

What I found out from Thetford is that the part number on the valves changed, probably several times, over time. No one will give an opinion on exactly what was original equipment on my Argosy. The person I talked to at Theford sent me a pdf file containing picutres and current part numbers of the valves they have. The valves need to be removed from the trailer and compared to the pictures.

I have some plumbing skills. The RV places in my area are too busy with units they have sold or too expensive for two trips to get valves out and then put the new ones in. I have decided to tackle this myself.

Now the question. I have seen some threads about how to get the valves apart to rebuild them and other threads mentioning cutting the valves out. Can anyone supply some instructions on the best way, resulting in the most minimal sewer pipe replacment, to remove the black and grey valves from my 76 Argosy?

There is a 2" (?) pipe coming from the grey tank that then has an adaptor to the 3" sewer pipe. Next comes the valve and the sewer pipe out into the bumper to the main outlet. The black tank has the flange in place and it appears to be in good shape. Are the 4 screws the only thing attaching the valves to the flange?

I'll be doing this in the street in front of my house. My neighbor is nice enough to have a fleet of unused cars in the street in front of their house making it almost impossible to back my Argosy into the driveway.

On the up side, most of my neighbors watched me cutting the access hole in the belly pan and making the cover for it. No one ran over my legs that day, so I'm expecting at least as much the next time.

Susan

1Michigander · 09-18-2007, 08:26 PM

Susan,

Did you ever get you valves out and do the comparison? I have a 1975 Arosy 24 with the same issue. I was just going to replace the valves as well, but part numbers from Thetford seem illusive. I sent Thetford an email today hoping for a more difinitive answer. If you have gotten anywere whith this is would be helpful to me. I will be happy to let you know if I find out anything of significance from Thetford.

Thanks,

TJ

Inland RV Center, In · 09-19-2007, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Michigander

Susan,

Did you ever get you valves out and do the comparison? I have a 1975 Arosy 24 with the same issue. I was just going to replace the valves as well, but part numbers from Thetford seem illusive. I sent Thetford an email today hoping for a more difinitive answer. If you have gotten anywere whith this is would be helpful to me. I will be happy to let you know if I find out anything of significance from Thetford.

Thanks,

TJ

The two numbers on the Thetford valves, do not describe what valve you may have.

Those numbers are on all of the different valves, therefore useless.

We have photos on our web site in the parts section, of the different valves that are available from Thetford.

Airstream Parts Sale Inland RV Center, Inc. (951) 734-8130

Andy

1Michigander · 09-19-2007, 07:35 PM

I would not think it would be that difficult for Thetford to keep track of which valves they sold for which trailers on any particular year. I guess they just sold the valves and did not care what they were for. Thanks for the link and the help. I will have to cut the valves off because they are glued on and I will compare photos.

Gambrinus · 11-14-2007, 01:49 PM

I got pictures from Thetford. The person I talked to there told me to match the valves to the pictures to figure out which ones to order. The pictures at Inland will be helpful also.

I just had someone remove the valves. I got wimpy about trying to lay in the street in front of my house with power tools. I decided I would have less aggravation working a little extra at my part time job to earn the money to pay someone to do the work. I also didn't want to break anything.

Good luck. I hope to have my issues solved before we see 2008.

Susan

1Michigander · 11-14-2007, 02:49 PM

I am in the same boat you are. After breaking the dump valve stem about 2 days after purchasing my trailer. I took it in to have the valve removed for the same reasons you did. I am cringing waiting for the bill. I need to tell them about the website and the photos. Let me know what you come up with and I will do the same.

Good luck,

TJ

Gambrinus · 11-17-2007, 02:17 PM

This is what I have come up with so far.

Black valve - 08709
Grey valve - 08671

Next step, order the valves and see if they match. I think if I could have gotten the computer closer to the trailer I would have been able to figure this out with just a little bit of loosening.

It turns out the mechanic working on my trailer is an aquaintance from another activity. I'm now very glad I went somewhere to get the work done. I haven't asked about the bill. I don't have to eat.

Susan

Smokin Camel · 11-22-2007, 10:30 PM

I gave on on communicating with Thetford, they tried a couple of times, then I never heard from them. I assume the information just isn't there. I ended up buying a valve the will fit my new tank. I will just put in new plumbing to fit the tank and valve. It seems the nubers on the valves do no align with any inventory or records.

1Michigander · 11-26-2007, 06:38 PM

Susan,

Thanks for the info. Since hunting season began my trailer has sat at the dealership. I don't blame the mechanic for wanting to hunt but I need to get this thing done before it freezes too many times and some damage is done. I will let you know what happens.

TJ

1Michigander · 11-26-2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokin Camel

I gave on on communicating with Thetford, they tried a couple of times, then I never heard from them. I assume the information just isn't there. I ended up buying a valve the will fit my new tank. I will just put in new plumbing to fit the tank and valve. It seems the nubers on the valves do no align with any inventory or records.

Thetford has not been any help to me either. I have emailed and left phone messages to no avail. I figure they just don't care. The amount of money they make on parts for vintage trailers is probably not worth it for them.

Gambrinus · 11-28-2007, 04:06 PM

I have always called 1-800-543-1219 and have gotten someone on the phone right away. This was one of 4 phone numbers I found and the first one I tried. The folks I have talked to have been very helpful with the valves and replacement parts for the toilet.

I ordered the valves on the Tuesday before thanksgiving. They told me they would ship on the Monday after Thanksgiving. Today it is Wednesday and the valves, as ordered, were sitting on my porch. An exact match to the valves that were in my trailer and are now in a box in my garage.

Susan