how to lubricate rv holding tank valves and cables

Realizing this was a loosing battle, I cut the sewer line that is already exposed and inserted a ball valve with two rubber couplers. Again, its an easy fix, if done properly. A very simple and inexpensive procedure is used that takes about 5 minutes to perform. Enclosed and heated dump valves; Docking station: easy winterization, Hot and cold spray port, black Tank flush, pull valves for tanks; Large tinted windows with 80/20 UV prohibitor; E-Z LUBE Dexter axles; Dexter Nev-R-Adjust brakes; Hickory Springs radius triple steps with 9" riser (no pinched fingers) Dometic "One-Touch" electric awning with . Hope this helps. The Glamping Guys 6.73K subscribers Subscribe 8.7K views 2 years ago #gaycouple #rvlifestyle. If this valve breaks, it will be much more difficult to open your RV black tank valve, so do what you can to prevent this from happening. Last update on 2023-03-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API, Your email address will not be published. To our readers: We NEVER have or will sell reader's data. His sound principles of RV waste management have led to a group of products designed to make the unpleasant task of dumping holding tanks more sanitary, safe and convenient for the end user. Last year in Texas I started to squirt a lubricating/penetrating oil into each one of the cables where they pass through the dock center (if that makes sense). Then you can screw a sheet metal screw into the . Thats what campground bathrooms are for. Make sure not to tighten the bolts too much, or you risk cracking the flanges. You must log in or register to reply here. Keep your tanks flushed out with clear water as often as possible. Should You Camp at the Thousand Trails Chehalis Resort? Replace the screw, then open and close the black or gray tank a few times to get the lubricant all over the valve. Whats the best way to clean an RV waste valve? Any ideas guys and gals? Buy an RV, sell your RV, or both? We use the rig 5-6 times a year, every 2-3 months, but the first several dumps on each trip the valves are always very stiff. Most products need tank openings at the top, 2/3, 1/3, and bottom levels. Eco-Save Original Formula is a cleaner and odor remover that's said to be safe for all RV holding tanks. Did the drill hole only difference used a small self tapping screw very gently so not to strip it out worked like a champ thanks. Find the exact marine boat parts you need online. Menu and widgets First, go to your sewage line where you dump the gray or black tank. Either pull the rod out by hand or grip the broken piece with pliers and slide it out a little. here is the latest on the stuck valves. I removed them and cleaned everything with soap and water. My thought is that products like the Thetford one that is mentioned, are a compound that is actually heavier than the water, and they probably sink to the bottom of the tank and collect at the seal. Its worth a try though, and if you use a ton of dish soap it might be able to work its way down to the valve. One tip I did see is to drill a small hole above the handle and spray silicone into the hole while moving the handle in and out. I do that and it has served us well. By continuing to use our site, you consent to accepting cookies. Some RVers use this next trick on the black and grey tank valves so they can lubricate them from the outside whenever they want. The company specializes in RV waste systems, and its RV drain valve lubricant is the best way to make it easier to open RV black and grey tank valves. With the valve open and actuating rod exposed, wrap a rag around the rod, and grasp the rod firmly through the rag with a pair of pliers. The Valterra gate valve is the most common model used by RV manufacturers. It flows through the waste plumbing system and into the holding tanks. or any other ideas why black Valve seems working in that cable moves but nothing out. Snaked the lines, drilled a hole, baking soda vinegar trick, and everything else under the sun. Like adding water and treatment to the black tank. If damaged, replace. for each tank. Theres a parallel to the old You dont miss your water until your well runs dry tune. Another area that you will want to inspect is the actual lever rod and cable if you have a remote location for the handle. See Also:Best Portable Power Station/Solar Generator For Camping. We have heard from a number of our customers that speculate this would be the answer to solve their problems once and for all. Is the Thousand Trails Cabin Pass Worth It? The handle will either be connected directly to the gate or it will be connected to a long cable that leads to the gate valve thats located further away. Once you detach the valve, clean around the seals and gaskets. A fellow camper suggested mineral oil to lubricate the dump valve. Let sit for a few minutes and then exercise the valve by opening and closing a few times. I full time and in the winter at times. That means you can treat both the black and grey tank valves 3 times per bottle. Read more. No anonymous comments. This cleans and lubricates not only the seals but the plumbing as well. But then, I'm not a chemical engineer either. Tighten the provided hardware to complete installation. IF possible, reposition the valves so the valve body is above the 3 9 oclock position so the water that seeps into the valve body will drain back into the bottom of the pipe. See Also:Can Different RVs Use The Same Door Key? What I also do after rinsing the black tank is open and close the black valve while dumping the gray tank, the soap tends to help lube the black valve seals. Double Slide Class A Mirada w/Bunk Beds, Rear Queen Bed w/Nightstands, Wardrobes w/LCD TV Above & Bunk Bed Slideout, Angle Shower, Sink, Toilet & Overhead Cabinet, LCD TV in Living Area, Booth Dinette & Sofa Slide, Euro Chair, Dbl. Thats at least a 40+ year old trick and a great one to suggest to those who havent thought of it. 2022 RVTravel.com All rights Reserved. I had to put new seals in it, and when I did, I used vegetable oil & gave both seals a good coat, plus the blade on the valve, and the valve shaft. Some people recommend that you should never leave the gray valve open either, as it can allow odors from the parks sewer system up into your RV. When you loosen the bolts that are holding the gate valve together only undo them about a 1/4 turn at a time. If there is no lube to try, Ill have to give a shot at tearing into the back of the wet bay. I believe in the spring I'm going to add the valterra dump gate to the outside edge of the dump tube for both the gray tank and the black tank dumps and not use the OEM valves except when it's below freezing (then I'd dump the lower valves that are below . It is the most popular high-quality rubber protectant, so it should function in a similar way to the cooking oil/baby oil. First, keep the rod well lubricated. On ours, it took putting about 1/2 gallon of oil in each tank and running it through twice to get them loosened up real good. If Im going to pull off the valve I would probably replace it unless I am in a location that I must repair. Gonna give it a try thanks for the tip! What to Do If RV Black or Grey Tank Valve Is Stuck Closed? We also stayed almost exclusively in Forest Service / National Park / Corp of Engineers parks and never put any solids in our black water tank. 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout. They recommend using 1/5th of the bottle with 4 gallons of water. Your ice cube tray does a lot more than just make ice, Holy federal film permit, Batman! Just do it right after dumping the tanks so it can get to the valves and not be to diluted. When was the last time you lubricated your RV black tank valve? They have a system for shooting lubricant down motorcycle brake and clutch cables using a spray can and a foam rubber adapter. But what if the valves are stuck closed and you have full holding tanks? Living in Florida we don't put the RV into storage but I'll bet it would help if it sits for a month or so too. my type of pr0blem. What the heck is a ZERT??? The cleaner the tanks discharge the better for me working underneath the trailer. Occasionally, the valves are buried under the motorhome and controlled by a remote cable, which requires removing basement panels for service. Try and open the valve again. called Ven val 4,5 times no responce waiting for Her to respond.I wonder if she overworked wlth It works for a while, then I put more in. The waste tank T handle is in the wet bay. How to Market Your Business with Webinars. Were Jenni and Jesse. Fix the bolts in it and attach data cables with the main DC power supply of the RV. but does require access to the gate valves which are inside the coroplast in most cases. Then every so often I spray wd40 into holes. This trick could get very messy, especially if you are working on the black tank valve. RV Waste Superstore - On Sale Now! An initial plus first or last name is the minimum, we're all friends here. Wait as long as you can before trying to open the stuck black or grey tank valve again. I asked that to the service manager at a SOB dealership, and he told me they use Murphy's oil. The usual cause of what you describe is dry cables allowing corrosion to begin forming. Remove the 6-8 self tapping screws which hold the Coroplast to the frame. Its a relatively easy process that requires few tools. A 7/64ths inch drill bit and a #8x1/2 inch stainless steel screw works best to plug the hole.You don't have to use lithium grease, you can use any lubricant that you think is appropriate and one that will not damage the valves in your particular system, which may be different than mine. Have done this before but had been a little over a year. When RV heat is on, cabinets and counters get hot. We have started a new forum link for Ask Dave. i had the same problem plus mY black tank valve wouldn't shut all the way off. The cables were also fairly level with no sharp bends. After getting so irritated by the difficulty of opening and closing the black tank valve I cut into the sewer pipe and added another gate valve so I now leave the cable operated black valve open and use the gate valve for dumping tank. Long time ago a tech told me to use water pump lubricant in the waster water tanks to keep seals pliable and free. Make sure to hold the flanges tight against the valve during this process. Pro Tip: You dont need to use expensive RV toilet paper. Most RVs with cable pull or rod-actuated valves are positioned in the side or 3 oclock side of the exit pipe, allowing this contaminated water to lay in the bottom of the body and creating this issue over time. Ive been an auto mechanic for 43 years, and never heard them called anything but ZERKS. RV LED Awning Light Strip: Replace and Do-It-Yourself The team, Matt and Bart, demonstrate the steps for replacing a LED awning light strip on an RV. A quart bottle treats a tank eight or nine times. A plug would work better as you can spray silicon spray into the hole then plug it again. As mentioned above, you can simply spray or rub the lubricant on the valve after youve dumped the black tank contents. RV Lock Replacement. By code it's mandated that the sewer valves be positioned only so far from the tank outlet, so moving all three valves to the side of the coach may not be the best choice. I have occasionally sprayed the cables the same way as you which really helps. Here's a video showing how how to lub your waste valves. This keeps the gate space and pull rod seal lubricated. Buy an RV, sell your RV, or both? This short video will show you how to easily lubricate your RV dump valves without having to disassemble the plumbing pipes and valves. Try and open the gate valve every time to loosen a bolt a little bit. We'll see how long it lasts. To our readers: We NEVER have or will sell reader's data. Try going to a motorcycle dealership/repair shop. . Please follow these rules when commenting on RVtravel.com. When you dump a tank and the handle is pulled to the open position, simply shoot the stainless rod with a good shot of lubricant spray containing silicon or Teflon. Once you insert the new valve, replace the bolts. Screw in a 1/4-inch Zerk fitting until the shoulder of the fitting is snug to the valve bodydont over-tighten. - 89-8282 any ideas be very greatful. Some RVers who have been flummoxed by sticky valve handles have gone a step further than the simple advice to lube it every now and then. It is recommended to occasionally lubricate the rod with a dry lube such as 3-in-1 spray or CRC. If you like the hole drilling method make sure you spray lubricant inside the gate valve once or twice every year to keep it working correctly. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "abc43f8af58a96ad9450bbba6d3f65dc" );document.getElementById("bf0ddd2115").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Welcometo The Camping Nerd. drove the fiver around to lube up the valves, tried for two days to see if it was to work. They work good now. Price: $36,895. Close the gate and apply a thin coating of grease to both sides. The "cable" is a solid core flex rod with a sheath several feet in length winding it's way down to the black tank gate valve. 2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3, Mor/Ryde King Pin and I.S., 17.5" Wheels w/ H Rated Tires,Automatic Level Up, 2012 Ford F450 Lariet, 6.7 L, CC, 4WD, DRW w/ Air Bags, Reese Signature 25K Hitch. Give our video a thumbs up to like, share on your social media, and tell your friends. new 2023 venture rv sporttrek st333vik travel trailer #1538 with 31 photos for sale in blue grass, iowa 52726 . This wrench is designed with grooved pins to hold the camshaft pulley stationary while loosening and tightening the center shaft bolt While useful on most Asian overhead cam engines, it is most needed on transverse mounted V6 engines such as the VG30 used in Nissan Maximas, as well as, the 3VZFE and lMZFE engines used in Toyota Camrys. This is easy and fairly cheap and could be the best option. These are 15 of our favorite songs/themes/scores that Tod has created for our YouTube channel. NPS calls out YouTube and TikTok users. I use Liquid Wrench on all my cable ends once a year. If you use RV holding tank cleaner and dump your tanks regularly, chances are pretty good . You can install cable-operated RV dump valves by connecting them with the flanges. of lubricant. Sorry for the late reply. Holman RV is not responsible for any misprints, typos, or errors found in our website pages. You can do this during the year as well. For the black tank, just pour down the toilet. One of the commercial seal lubricants, or silicone spray is the best way. This can get kinked or rusted and make it hard to open and close the valve, as well. You can now continue with your regular RV waste tank checklist. A lot of "old-timers" use mineral oil or even cooking oil, like vegetable oil. Free shipping on orders over $100! You have 24 hours to edit a comment. See the detail from Valterras Installation Sheet to make sure your cable is installed properly or has not loosened up from a secure area. Likewise, to prevent gunk buildup and maintain pliable seals, you can pour vegetable oil down the drain and allow it to coat the RV waste valve. And no i probably wouldnt make a good mother. ) Now work the valve open and closed a few times. Dave recommends applying silicon to the shaft, rather than WD-40, which will clean the grease and rid of the natural oils that help the valve slide fluidly. Once the hold is drilled put the nozzle straw that came with the can of lubricant into the hole and spray lubricant inside the gate valve until its filled with lubricant. Each bottle of Thetford RV drain valve lubricant has 24 fl. Last year in Texas I started to squirt a lubricating/penetrating oil into each one of the cables where they pass through the dock center (if that makes sense). But unless the choice of lubricants is one that will go into suspension with water, the lube will simply float on the top of the tank water and hang out there until you finally dump the tank. I don't know where I'm going but I'm on my way. The hold should be about as big as the straw on the lube can. Cable & Satellite Hook-ups; Black Tank Flush; Battery Disconnect Switch; Spray Port With Hot & Cold Water; . I do think it is a good idea to occasionally dump some recommended conditioner down both the black and gray water tanks to lubricate and condition the rubber seal that the spade valve slides in and out of. RV Daily Tips. You are using an out of date browser. I undid the black tank valve bolts and . Repeating this 6 or 8 times for the black dump valve and the grey dump valve solves the problem. For use on Nissans, Toyotas and other OHC engines. I will report back the results. Stock #008828C. Travel Trailer. | Page 5 Carol & Jeff Savournin Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40' Charlie. Dear Charlie, The veggie oil is a gallon jug the cheapest (~$5) stuff from Walmart or similar store. If the bolts get removed all of the ways the gate valve will fall open and the contents of the holding tank will come spilling out uncontrollably. See Also:Best RV Sewer Hose Kits Reviewed & Rated. (877) 652-0399 Get Directions. My RVs waste tank valves are starting to stick. To use, dump the RV like normal. Happy camper. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Any price listed excludes sales tax, registration tags, and delivery fees. As weve said, were not recommending this procedure, only commenting on it. I did not use much and I only worked the rod a little, being unsure if I was performing a useful process. Thetford has a great product we have used for several years called the Drain Valve Lubricant. Attach a photo or two if it might help Dave with his response. 2 Pro-Series S2VT valves with dual port modules, waterproof IP66 rated; 1 Double Switch Panels; 2 Single switches, sealed IP66, Carlingtech; 4 Interface Cables, IP 66, 20 Ft; Seals, Lube and Hardware for 2 valves; If the RV has three holding tanks, you need a Two Valve Kit plus the Single Valve Kit. My valves are due for a little lube too. Use a product like Dow Corning 111. You can revoke your consent any time using the Revoke consent button. i tried lubing the cable, pull the valves and installed new seals, tried cooking oil in my tanks before i used them, to lube the actual valve, none of this worked. How to Fix Your RV Water Pump Check Valve. He said that usually the issue isn't the cable, but the gate valve & rubber seals. If you add enough of it to the holding tank that has the gate valve stuck closed it might be able to work its way to the bottom of the tank and the gate valve. If you are going to use grease a on this valve I suggest a food safe grease. This method is kind of a long shot, especially if youre trying to unstick the black tank valve. Pull the T handle all the way out, spray the metal rod, slide it in, pull it out again, spray the metal rod, slide it in, etc., etc. Thank you! Pretty hard to pull upwards when the compartment ceiling is in the way! TRIONIC offers an extensive line of Marine and RV water and holding tanks to meet most size and durability requirements. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. ALTERNATE METHOD Dear Dave, Mine are getting sticky, I am going to find that sprayer and foam adapter SOON. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Valve easily adapts to existing bolt on flanged valve connections. An initial plus first or last name is the minimum, we're all friends here. Why Do People Put Pool Noodles on Their RV Slideouts? Clintoons: Ever wonder how these directions make sense? See Also:How To Maintain RV Holding Tanks To Prevent Clogs & Odors. Another great thing about it is you probably already have everything you need to do it on hand. When you feel the inner body of the valve is clean, remove and blow the inner valve body to remove any excess particulate that air pressure may loosen. Refill the tank, then run the water again, until the smell of bleach is gone. Drain Tanks and Unbolt Waste Valves. For the gray, took the trap loose under the bathroom sink, emptied out the water, reconnected it and poured the vegetable oil down it. Probably cheaper than Murphy's oil. Take care of all of the different parts of your RV. You can also try tapping on your RV black tank valve with a hammer. Soak the valves in hot water with some detergent, making sure to leave the gates open. How to conquer the fear of breaking down in remote areas, Lawsuit could upend operations of Recreation.gov, Montana moves to save some campsites from filling up with out-of-staters, Fact-checking, ethics & corrections policy. I would think that those were two different characteristics to take into consideration. In fact it's easily accomplished by most RV handypersons.if the cable broke while the valve was in the fully opened position, that is! I agree with Gerald. I would do this as I was waiting for the tanks to dump not sure but I think they are starting to work easier. What Do I Need To Use Hookups At An RV Park Or Campground? Home Fix For Hard To Open & Close RV Black Or Grey Tank Valves. Lets take a closer look at how you can prevent and fix this issue while saving money by doing it yourself. This spray is sticky and could cause issues with your seals down the road. If you break the valve, youll have more work to do and more money to spend replacing it. Hopefully, everything was ok over the holiday. The sloshing around of the liquid will not only clean the inside of your tank, but it can get down into the valve and loosen whatever residue is there. I think will go out right now and spray and work the hell out of it and see if it loosens up. ABS Polymer adhesive and fittings are also available. Doug is the founder of Drain Master.com Inc., Hollister, CA, which sells as well as installs Drain Master, Waste Master, 360 Siphon, HepvO and other RV waste-related products. If would be great if there were some sort of a way to add grease or some other such lubricating stuff under pressure to make the cables work easier. The BestCounty Park CampgroundsFor RVe Where Can I Have Packages Delivered While On The R Don't Miss Carolina Pines RV Resort In South Carol Know How To Prevent A Space Heater Fire In Your RV, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GDErKY05-8&t=1s, Traveling with a person on kidney dialysis, Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1. The lubricant is heavier than water which means it can sink to the bottom. If that T character breaks, opening the valve is tough. Im very handy, but the valves are not visible at all from underneath the rig, and Im not sure how easily I can get at them from the wet bay (I admit, I havent tried yet). Simply remove the valves after the tanks have been emptied and flushed, remove the seals and thoroughly clean the valve. We are not lost in the Woods..Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!! On ours, it took putting about 1/2 gallon of oil in each tank and running it through twice to get them loosened up real good. We occasionally update our terms and privacy policies pages so if you have not read them lately, we encourage you to do so. They have 4 tanks, 5 if you include fresh water. I am quite sure that they tell you not to use WD-40 on them. The cable should be secured within 24 and have 6 of straight cable coming out of the valve housing. It sounds like there is or was a build up in your black tank causing it to not drain. If you want to edit a comment click the gear icon to the right of your comment and choose edit, or delete. Russ and Tia De Maris are authors of RV Boondocking Basics, a how-to guide for RVing off the grid. Visit www.icanrv.com for more information. Oh, for goodness sakes we have a 2000 Sunnybrook travel trailer and when our grey/black tank dump valves become harder to pull, we simply spray the metal rod connected to the T handle with silicone spray (NOT WD 40). Do not use WD-40. What are your likely plans for 2023? The cable style RV gate valve is usually found on large RVs that have the black and grey tank on the passenger side. All tanks are rotationally molded of a seamless one piece, non-corrosive linear polyethylene that meets FDA acceptance and complies with Coast Guard regulations. The gate valves that open the black and grey tanks start to get difficult to open and close. These Are the Best Vans for Vanlife in 2023, The Vintage Spartan Trailer is Still a Hot Commodity, These Manufacturers Let You Create a Custom RV, The Grooviest Vintage Motorhomes You Have to See. Its effective and safe for RV waste systems and holding tanks. I think I saw a post a few weeks ago about something similar & he used canola oil, & dumped it in the tanks. Remove the bolts securing the valve. tried the dump the soap lube down the toilet and the shower. so should I leave alone and hope there is enough room for freezing expansion or should I use up room and put a gallon or so in my tank! A little plastic gate rides between two rubber seals (one on the outside of the gate and one on the inside), preventing the stuff from rolling out. If you can get it open, dump your RV. Dont wait until it gets stuck. Russ. Kitchen Sink, 3 Burner Range, Refrigerator, Pantry and More! \rWe're living the RV Full-time life, documenting our travels, and together with our Badass Pomeranian Ziggy, were setting out on the road for some RV Glamping \u0026 Camping getaways. This website utilizes some advertising services. Conclusion. In some cases the 1.5-inch gray valve gets sticky over time especially if the RVer is not using his RV full time. Pump the cavity full of grease and the theory says youll keep the actuating rod freely operational. This will not show on your comment but is for us to contact you if necessary. RV waste tanks have valves that hold the liquids inside the tank until you are ready to dump. Regardless of your choice of lubrication approaches, you need to keep an eye on the valve handle. shot in dark but maybe you have answer. Thats all you have to do. maybe a zit, but thats another problem for my teen years, Its been corrected. TC372 Valterra Motorhome Black Water Holding Tank Waste Valve Body with 72" Flexible Cable - 3" Valve Value - This item The thickness will allow you to tap the body with enough threads to screw in a plug or grease zerk. Your Guide to Understanding Encore RV Resorts, The Best Good Sam Club Campgrounds in the US. If you use a grease zerk be sure you do not apply too much grease or the valve will be hard to pull and push open or close.

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