waste valve problem

[OutandAbout]

My niece has a 2006 Pleasure Way van. Yesterday, we planned on emptying the tanks, so we loaded up the puppies and planned to get some lunch while out and make an afternoon out of it. I know, I don't get out much. Anyway, we get to the dealers, the dump is free there, and get all hooked up. After hooking up, I usually pull the black valve open slowly. This way I can catch it if all is not properly hooked up. Well, I kept pulling the valve handle until the handle and rod came out the the van. The end of the rod was clean and the rod was straight. It didn't look like it was bent, nor did it look as though it broke off something. There was no sound of water running through the hose either. OK now what? I tried the grey tank and it emptied properly. My niece went inside and looked down the toilet and it was empty. EEEEWWWWW factor, the tank was 3/4 full. Where it went is anybody's guess, although not in my driveway.

Questions: Has anyone replaced the valve in their RVs? Cost? Can it be a DIY project? Since the rod came out, should I be concerned about part(s) in the tank with working their way out and possibly cause a future problem with the seal?

What do you all think? Linda

[Bethers]

I would have gone right into the dealers and seen what they would do and the cost. I had to replace my handle once. Purchased a new one and a friend put it on for me.

Since you must have had the cap over the entire system before going there, and nothing drained when you removed it, right?, then I think it must have drained when you pulled the valve - especially if the whole thing came out. Just guessing though.

It's not something I would tackle, but that's just me.

[Forestgal]

Unless you know for a fact that there was "stuff" in the black tank it might be that your tank sensors are covered up with toilet paper, giving you a false read. Happens all the time. After replacing the rod you might want to take a garden hose & run it through the toilet with a pressure nozzle on it to see if you can dislodge whatever's on the sides of the tank. There are other ways of cleaning them, using laundry soap and ice cubes, and then using fabric softener to keep the sides slick, but I wouldn't do anything until you get the rod fixed.

Have fun!

Laura

[avalen]

is it possible that the rod came unscrewed and therefore just came out?

[OutandAbout]

is it possible that the rod came unscrewed and therefore just came out?

That's what I was thinking. I have to take another look at the rod to see if there are threads on it. Otherwise, I might just replace the the whole assembly. I watched a video from Valterra yesterday and think we might be able to handle it. Valterra makes the valve parts.

According to my niece, the tank should have been at least 3/4 full. Nothing came out when the valve was pulled open. I had my foot on the hose and felt nothing moving inside. It is a mystery.

Linda

[sharon]

I've had a lot of things disappear (money, jewelry, boyfriends, etc.), but never poop. Good luck finding it.

[Bethers]

I've had a lot of things disappear (money, jewelry, boyfriends, etc.), but never poop. Good luck finding it.

I, for one, hope you don't have to find it.

[Ladyhawk]

I've had a lot of things disappear (money, jewelry, boyfriends, etc.), but never poop. Good luck finding it.

Ohhhh dear. Coffee went all over the place.

[Excel]

Sharon...you really should think about warning people....

[OutandAbout]

I've had a lot of things disappear (money, jewelry, boyfriends, etc.), but never poop. Good luck finding it.

Girlfriend, that is something I will not be looking for. It shall forever remain a mystery. Should of had a spew alert. Linda

[Getupngo]

I had a black tank valve with a slow leak ... all the liquid leached out and I had a tank of sludge.

Although I had it fixed (on my rig not a cheap proposition) I bought a Flush King. I leave it on all the time.



As you can see, it has a see-through elbow, and a separate valve, as a fail-safe in case an internal valve leaks. AND it has the added pleasure of being able to see what is running down my hose. Plus, I can hook a garden hose to it, close the valve and force water up and into the black tank to rinse it out (& see when the rinse water begins to come out clean).

Such a poopy topic. Good luck.

[sharon]

Now Janice, you KNOW we love to talk about poop!! I'm thinking one time we had about a 3 or 4 page post on the subject. By the way, love your new avatar!

[Bethers]

I can't leave my flush king on all the time - would be damaged driving. And because it's only a 45 degree angle, can't always use it (like this summer). I keep trying to purchase a 90 degree elbow to use before it, but now everyone is trying to sell me one with the water attached, etc. Guess I might buy one and replace the flush king - as I like rinsing the tank with it and it needs to be done.

[Getupngo]

Beth, my MH has a utility bay with just one drain pipe (into which both tanks flow) so I can leave the Flush King in place all the time. I know others have external connections for their tank valves. This certainly works for me, though.

But I think it's funny that discussions of black tank maintenance, the comparative utility of various kinds of TP, smart totes and all that is polite conversation among RV'ers.

On edit: This could be a serious solution for someone who has a leaky black tank.

[Birdie]

I use a Hydroflush with a 90 degree angle with a back flow connection. It really works well for me. It looks like the flush king but doesn't have the black handle part, just the clear part with the hose connection. Wasn't very expensive to buy and I have had it for over a year. It sprays water into the black holding tank and then starts draining back out. I usually run it thru about 4 of 5 cycles. About every 4th dump, I will fill the tank nearly full after the 4th cycle. About every 6 months I do the ice trick. Probably about time I need to do that again. Lots of ways to get that stuff out of there.