Gray water dump extender pulled out

[Torpedo Family]

When I pulled my gray valve to dump today it cam out. Looks like the bolt that holds the extension to the valve broke. Will I have to cut the belly pan to get to the valve to put in a new bolt? It is a 2014 Classic 30 foot. The valve has been hard to open and close for a while. The black valve is same. It is like it needs lubrication. I am on the road for another week. Gray valve is open.

[kscherzi]

Here's how to stop that from happening again.
https://youtu.be/TGv9THpOdmw

[Torpedo Family]

Thanks but I can not see my valves they are behind the belly pan.

[kscherzi]

Mine too but the black valve was reachable, just barely, with the cordless drill. Its just behind the belly pan if you look through the slot where the pull handle shaft goes.

[CRH]

If ai recall correctly, my valve extensions were secured to the valve with a pop rivet. I do know that is how I put the old extensions on my new dump valves...I had to cut a access hole to do the work. I cut the holes then made a cover plate from an old street sign.

[Torpedo Family]

Thanks, that is what I am feeling about cutting out an access hole. And yes the pop rivet broke. I did not know how the extension was attached.

[PatLee]

Note to all: use a lubricant like 303 Aerospace Protectant (that you might already use on your window seals) on the sliding parts of grey/black tank valves. The valves slide out and in much more smoothly after lubricating.

[Rockhound100]

My black dump valve handle did the same thing a few weeks ago. i was able to pull out the valve with a pair of vice grips and found a short bolt the right size to reattach the extension handle. I double nutted the bolt and added some red locktite on the nuts.

[Torpedo Family]

I thank everyone for your advice, I hope I can get to the valve where the extension connects to replace the bolt without cutting out the belly pan. Will post after I have repaired it with my procedures.

[jrwayne]

Hello all,

When my gray tank valve got difficult to open I finally reached someone who actually had a solution.

Empty the gray tank completely, close valve, pour about 16 ounces of coconut oil into shower drain and let it drain into tank. Let it sit there about 15 minutes to give it a chance to collect at the valve gate. Go out to the valve and open and shut it rapidly a whole bunch of times. This will lubricate the blade and rubber seals. I have done this two or three times on my 2018 and all is well. The person I spoke with said the soaps from the shower and sink dry out the seals and make it hard to slide. The coconut oil is a safe lubricant. No worries about it being in the tank as normal use the soap will wash it all out.

Happy Camping

[CRH]

I would think that only 16 ounces would at best just reach the very bottom of the seal.

[lemley]

Originally Posted by jrwayne

Hello all,

When my gray tank valve got difficult to open I finally reached someone who actually had a solution.

Empty the gray tank completely, close valve, pour about 16 ounces of coconut oil into shower drain and let it drain into tank. Let it sit there about 15 minutes to give it a chance to collect at the valve gate. Go out to the valve and open and shut it rapidly a whole bunch of times. This will lubricate the blade and rubber seals. I have done this two or three times on my 2018 and all is well. The person I spoke with said the soaps from the shower and sink dry out the seals and make it hard to slide. The coconut oil is a safe lubricant. No worries about it being in the tank as normal use the soap will wash it all out.

Happy Camping

My rig is an '88. Officially "vintage" for 8 years.

When my gray valve started getting hard to operate and I started getting worried someone on a podcast suggested "Thetford RV Drain Valve Lubricant". It worked immediately and I've used it regularly on the gray tank ever since.

The podcast happened to be by one of the guys that developed "Valterra Pure Power Blue". Along with being all natural and acting as a waste digester and odor eliminator, Pure Power Blue also lubricates the black tank valve.

I use both regularly.