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Cispook · 02-20-2019, 03:21 PM

Out of the blue my black tank dump valve will not open. The handle pulls out but the valve is closed. We’re on the road. Looking I don’t see a way to access easily or to get the valve open for dump. Suggestions - 2017 FC FB
No longer under warranty

AirMiles · 02-20-2019, 03:29 PM

I think the handle and shaft screw into the valve. Did you try turning the handle to screw it into the valve? I think it would be righty-tighty (clockwise).

Cispook · 02-20-2019, 04:01 PM

Didn’t work.

Pete B55 · 02-20-2019, 04:30 PM

Are u sure it’s not just clogged? Drive the trailer a few miles and try dumping again

Cispook · 02-20-2019, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete B55

Are u sure it’s not just clogged? Drive the trailer a few miles and try dumping again

I was going to try that tomorrow with the ice trick. It feels like the gate is opening with minor resistance and then no flow.
Now I notice the rod isn’t setting back entirely in the slot - I have about 3/8” of rod not setting if that makes sense.
Anyone know what model valve they were using in the 2017 models?

thewarden · 02-21-2019, 09:17 AM

It sounds like the drain at the valve is plugged. If it is not already near full, I would fill the tank and take it for a drive to try and loosen things up then try pulling the valve again.

russingr · 02-21-2019, 09:37 AM

We had a similar issue when our Airstream was fairly new. The handle would pull out, but the black tank would not dump. We called an RV repair service that came to our campsite, and all he did was grasp where the hose connects to the trailer, and wiggled it slightly. The tank dumped, problem solved. It has never happened since.

DaveP · 02-21-2019, 09:47 AM

Are you sure the rod is attached to the valve? My black valve rod had two bends in it to align it with the valve. When I first got the trailer, I had to reach back and grab the rod between the two bends to get it to operate. I later found that the valve housing was cracked from someone over tightening it. I replaced the valve and now it operates easily.

Good luck!

Cispook · 02-21-2019, 12:28 PM

We are sure it isn’t clogged. Did the tour and no change. Have tried wiggling etc with no success.
Have an appointment this coming week to have the offender replaced.

TBRich · 02-21-2019, 01:15 PM

If the pipe is not plugged and the problem lies with the valve itself ... don't bother trying to fix it ... just replace it. But tell the techs that the tank is not empty ... to save them form a nasty surprise.

Something to share: We were recently having issues with the black tank valve not sealing properly which allowed liquid to seep into the lower part of the dump plumbing behind the outer cap (which delivered about a half cup of ick when we took off the cap to dump). We had the valve replaced. The tech said the edge of the valve that closes off the pipe looked like it had been chewed by a rodent...and asked us if we used chemicals. He said if we do, we should not put chemicals in the tank when it is empty sitting in storage. The chemicals settle in the lowest part (behind the gate valve) and can eat at the valve. I had never heard that before but it makes sense, depending on the type of chemicals one uses. So now we do not put chemicals into the tank until we are actually using it.

Cispook · 02-21-2019, 01:58 PM

That’s where we are as far as repair. Interesting take on the chemicals.

MarkFinATX · 02-21-2019, 03:13 PM

Let us know the outcome of your appointment.
I had a nasty experience early on as a real “newbie”. Maybe the 2nd or 3rd time I ever hooked up to dump and didn’t have the bayonet twisted on completely. Got on my knees and bent down to twist it, leaned forward just as it popped off... you know the rest... YUK!!!’

OTRA15 · 02-21-2019, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveP

Are you sure the rod is attached to the valve? . . .
. . .

Same thought here FWIW.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cispook

. . .
Now I notice the rod isn’t setting back entirely in the slot - I have about 3/8” of rod not setting if that makes sense.
. . .

It may be, when you tried to re-seat the rod into the gate valve, that you were not pushing firmly enough to get the rod's male threads into the gate valve's female threads IMO.

I would try it again.

. . . carefully . . .

Peter

tjdonahoe · 02-21-2019, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cispook

Out of the blue my black tank dump valve will not open. The handle pulls out but the valve is closed. We’re on the road. Looking I don’t see a way to access easily or to get the valve open for dump. Suggestions - 2017 FC FB
No longer under warranty

On our 13 classic the handle and rod is attached to the main rod with a rivet..I did drop my belly pan down about 10 inches...I inserted one rod into the other and used a cotter key..put it back together and done...

Cispook · 02-22-2019, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Same thought here FWIW.

It may be, when you tried to re-seat the rod into the gate valve, that you were not pushing firmly enough to get the rod's male threads into the gate valve's female threads IMO.

I would try it again.

. . . carefully . . .

Peter

I’m sure that’s what happened. I’ve spent several hours on and off to get it seated w/o a good result.
I don’t want to force anything and cause additional damage.
Have an appointment on Tuesday to have the valves replaced/repaired.
Life on the road [emoji41]

Cispook · 02-27-2019, 09:38 AM

Follow up - went to the appointment yesterday with the belief I was going to drop major $$$ for new valves.
Senior tech comes out and chats with me ... long story short I pull to dump pit and he pulls valve handle and nothing. Then he “slams” the handle a few times with his hand — pulls valve and it dumps.
His analysis was our combo of being in multiple freezing temps days and crud around the seal.
Bottom line he saved us a ton of money and left us with more hints on black tank maintenance in cold climates. Total cost was .25 hrs labor rate.

DaveP · 02-28-2019, 07:02 AM

I have to ask... What secrets did he share with you??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cispook

Bottom line he saved us a ton of money and left us with more hints on black tank maintenance in cold climates.

TBRich · 02-28-2019, 12:13 PM

Cool! Congratulations Best labor cost you ever spent!

(Some places would charge you a 1-hour minimum and promptly loose a customer forever.)

Cispook · 03-04-2019, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveP

I have to ask... What secrets did he share with you??

Such items or task as:

Use more water when flushing
Keep AS at 50 degrees minimum
Limit or better eliminate any paper in the tank and if using paper in tank ensure it’s quality RV toilet paper
Use a good waste breakdown product to ensure a constant good slurry of waste
Back flush the tank clean after every dump

Most were common sense to those more experienced. No pushy sales and on products he threw out the common names. I believe our failure with the freezing was primarily temp issue. When not in AS and at night we set the furnace at 40.