how to lubricate rv holding tank valves and cables how to lubricate rv holding tank valves and cables

Some manufacturers brag about lubricants that are added to their holding tank treatments. The RVers are usually referring to the black 3-inch gate valve on their black holding tank. First order of business was to drain the tanks and give the black tank a good flushing before unbolting the valve. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Get exclusive tips and tricks to save your money and time in the RV lifestyle! There are two moving parts on RV gate valves. 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. Open and shut the valve to make sure it works smoothly. 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. 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. Recommended for use in waste holding tanks, black and grey water systems. I had forgotten what a difference this makes, valves work better than new! Because the valve needs to be connected at the base of the holding tanks, these cable gate valves are used so the handle can still be by the waste outlet where you connect the sewer hose. You may want to place a bucket underneath to catch anything that might leak out. Thats all. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wU-a8W44_4), NO MESS: At-home RV body valve repair is mess-free for your convenience, VERSATILE: Bladex valve is compatible with GrenTec, Blade, Valterra, Bristol, and Anonda valves. Tech Tips: Avoiding Sticky Valves - RV LIFE Lubricating dump valves? - Keystone RV Forums The Black Water Holding Tank Valve On Our RV Is Stuck Closed 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. Were asked often about the proper method to lubricate a sticky RV dump valve. Where to Find the Best RV Couch Replacements, Walmart Alternatives for Free Overnight RV Parking, Dog Camping Tents Your Pet Will Actually Love, Dow Corning 111 O-Ring Silicone Lubricant (5.3 oz. This short video will show you how to easily lubricate your RV dump valves without having to disassemble the plumbing pipes and valves. Extend or open the rod and valve and apply the proper lubrication to the rod and run it in and out. 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 . went to drain black water tank and handle came out with the cable nothing drained so i pushed cable back so did the end of the cable come off, the gate ? Thanks, Wayne and Gerald. Try going to a motorcycle dealership/repair shop. Use a product like Dow Corning 111. The RVers are usually referring to the black 3-inch gate valve on their black holding tank. It seems that a shot of lube directly to the valve rod is about the only practical solution, at least from our experience. 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. Waste flows through a 3" ABS gate valve with 50:1 gear reduction developing plenty of torque for years of service. Close the gate and apply a thin coating of grease to both sides. Price: $73.28. This post may contain affiliate links, This post may contain affiliate links or mention our own products, please check out our disclosure policy. All seams are solvent welded and have a 1" mounting flange. Glad to hear it worked for you. How to Fix & Lubricate a Sticky Hard to Pull RV Holding Tank Dump Valve - RV Hacks, Tips & Tricks! But for those who would like to know more, heres how the job has been explained to us: With the valve closed, in the area immediately adjacent to where the stainless-steel actuating rod comes out of the holding tank valve, bore a 3/16-inch hole through the plastic and into the cavity. 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. We occasionally update our terms and privacy policies pages so if you have not read them lately, we encourage you to do so. Does the RV Airflow System Actually Work? 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. 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. Oil that is just dumped into the tank while there is any water also in the tank will just float on the surface of the water, like it does in a jar of oil and water on the counter at home. Drain Master.com The hold should be about as big as the straw on the lube can. Theres a parallel to the old You dont miss your water until your well runs dry tune. It has a door where you gain access to the city water inlet, fresh water tank fill, cable hookup, dump handles, and tank flush. 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. Tube), Valterra-T1003VPM Bladex 3-Inch Waste Valve Body with Metal Handle, Mess-Free Waste Valve for RV's, Campers, Trailers, Black, RV Toilet Paper Alternatives Youll Wish You Used Sooner, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wU-a8W44_4, RV WASTE VALVE REPLACEMENT IT'S EASY !!!!!!!! What do you do when your RV black tank valve gets stuck? Also, make sure you loosen all 4 bolts so its being undone evenly. it worked 2 weeks ago and not freezing yet. . This can get kinked or rusted and make it hard to open and close the valve, as well. I will report back the results. Remove the bolts securing the valve. Should You Camp at the Thousand Trails Chehalis Resort? This is where RV drain valve lubricant comes in handy. Pro Tip: You dont need to use expensive RV toilet paper. It works well but its not my favorite method for regular maintenance because it involves drilling a hole in the gate valve housing. Its also a great way to prevent RV gate valves from getting sticky in the future. Even though its meant to be used on empty RV holding tanks theres a chance RV drain valve lubricant will work anyways. A lot of "old-timers" use mineral oil or even cooking oil, like vegetable oil. Poured a large bottle of Dawn and three pans of hot water, stomped around to make vibration so soap would agitate, and the whole tank drained in 30 mins. Apply a thin coating of grease to the seals and install them on the flanges. I dont know if this will cure your problem but it wont hurt. Then when done with gray valve, removed oil from trap and used it down the toilet for the black tank valve. Some say that the best way to lubricate a sticky black or grey tank valve is to use WD-40 on the handle and inside the box that holds the gate valve when it's open. I use the Valve Lub available at the RV store. Can you fix it yourself, or will you have to spend money hiring a mobile RV tech? Or you can take off the valve and replace it with a new one. (Note: These particular instructions are for our Drain Master electric valves where you can submerge your manual valve completely.). ALTERNATE METHOD oz. If you dump cooking oil, or another oil of that type, you arent accomplishing anything if there is any water in the bottom of the tank. Remove the valve from the flanges. Dump Cable Lubrication - Grand Design Owners Forums Thank you! 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. Each bottle of Thetford RV drain valve lubricant has 24 fl. | Page 5 PHOTOS COMING SOON! And we also ensure that any third parties we contract with either anonymize your data or have strict privacy policies in place that are aligned with ours. For example, internal tank sensors require drilling through the sides of the RV holding tank at precise locations. Are the National Parks in Oregon Worth Visiting? By visiting our site, you agree to our privacy policy regarding cookies, tracking statistics, etc. 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. Try adding more than the recommended dosage to increase the chance of it getting to the valve. Shop Now One gallon of cheap vegetable oil (fry oil) at GFS is about $4.50. Weve never tried it, and do have a couple of concerns. 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. The RVers are usually referring to the black 3-inch gate valve on their black holding tank. Whether youre a newbie or seasoned RVer, with all of the gunk and grime in your RV black tank, you might have to deal with a stuck valve at some point. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Holding the piping/flanges apart, insert the valve between the flanges being sure NOT to move the seals. Then use a 1/4-inch x 28 thread tap to tap threads into this hole. Wait as long as you can before trying to open the stuck black or grey tank valve again. Made with a special biodegradable formula, Thetfords gate valve lubricant is safe to use in RV plumbing and holding tanks. for each tank. Dear Dave, They did work but were very hard to pull out and push in. Is it possible that the application of petroleum-containing grease might cause the rubber seal to deteriorateeventually leading to a mechanical breakdown or possible leakage of holding tank contents? 2022 RVTravel.com All rights Reserved. Mor Ryde Disk Brakes - ALL 4 CALIPER TO AXLE TUBE BOLTS/NUTS WERE MISSING!!! Happy camper. This photo shows the drain pipe bayonet with the lever just to the left and a long rod dangling with little support. 2023 Venture RV SportTrek ST333VIK - Rvusa.com After getting the oil in the tanks, work the valves open an closed several times to work the oil into the gate seals until they slide easily. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. how to lubricate rv holding tank valves and cables Any ideas guys and gals? An initial plus first or last name is the minimum, we're all friends here. Both valves are at the back of the tanks near the end of the dropped frame. For the gray, took the trap loose under the bathroom sink, emptied out the water, reconnected it and poured the vegetable oil down it. I think I saw a post a few weeks ago about something similar & he used canola oil, & dumped it in the tanks. For the black tank, just pour down the toilet. Run the water until you smell the bleach, then let the tank sit for at least 24 hours after you have drained all the bleach water. Once you detach the valve, clean around the seals and gaskets. Thetford makes what they advertise as a valve lubricant. 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. my type of pr0blem. Replacing a BAL Accu-Slide slide-out clip-in style wiper seal, New lube product coming soon for CP4 pumps. Your real email is required. Maintenance prevents unwanted surprises. Try and open the gate valve every time to loosen a bolt a little bit. Dometic | Page 5 After a while, it starts to feel like you wont be able to open them at all. This will get the lube on both sides of the seal and the rod. By continuing to use our site, you consent to accepting cookies. The cable should be secured within 24 and have 6 of straight cable coming out of the valve housing. Enclosed And Heated Underbelly; Heated Holding Tanks; Enclosed Dump Valves; Heated Dump Valves; Zero Degree Extended Season Enjoyment; Touring Edition Package. I thought the same about the cables being run better, but after having to take down the coroplast, I see that they are actually run very well. The cable style RV gate valve is usually found on large RVs that have the black and grey tank on the passenger side. so jack the fiver up, put down cardboard on the gravel and go to town upside down removing the belly coraply and disasembly of the BRISTOL valves. Did the gray first and then reused it for the black tank and then used fresh oil the second time through for the black. Let sit for a few minutes and then exercise the valve by opening and closing a few times. Last update on 2023-03-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API, Your email address will not be published. RV Plumbing | Valterra Valve Body | 89-8282 | by PPL Repeating this 6 or 8 times for the black dump valve and the grey dump valve solves the problem. Valterra Cable RV Holding Tank Dump Valve - 1-1/2 inch, Valterra TC172. We sold our home in April 2018 to downsize into a Grand Design 344GK-R 38ft Fifth Wheel. Conclusion. Topic: Lubricate Holding Tank Valves - RV Vegetable oil will NOT harm those neoprene valve seals. What to Do If RV Black or Grey Tank Valve Is Stuck Closed? Either pull the rod out by hand or grip the broken piece with pliers and slide it out a little. Periodically agitate the valve with the open or hole end down in the water the idea is to remove the debris that collects in the body of the valve over time as the gate is opened to dump your tanks. Use this lubricant at the start, middle, and end of the camping season to maintain the gate valves so they open and close easily all season long. However, there is a nice seal that prevents holding tank contents from actually getting onto the rod. If Im going to pull off the valve I would probably replace it unless I am in a location that I must repair. Lubrications of black/grey tank valves - WinnieOwners When I recover from surgery getting the MH ready for use is top of my list. In some cases the 1.5-inch gray valve gets sticky over time especially if the RVer is not using his RV full time. I removed them and cleaned everything with soap and water. but does require access to the gate valves which are inside the coroplast in most cases. See Also:Best RV Sewer Hose Kits Reviewed & Rated. How to Replace an RV Black Tank Valve The first thing you need to do is make sure your black tank is empty and clean. Driving around with the lubricant in the tank will help it sink to the bottom faster. 2) spray lube on the valve plungers. Im afraid Id be very tempted to simply buy a new valve and lubricate it during installation. Rating Easy fix by: Anonymous Tap on inner gate with a 2x2 and hammer. How long should a dryer heating element last? Thats what campground bathrooms are for. Work the valve a few times in the water to ensure all of the residue gets cleaned out. When your RV black tank valve gets harder to open, you dont want to wait until it breaks. Who Owns Loki Expedition (Formerly Basecamp)? Lubricating your RV black tank valve should be part of your regular maintenance checklist. After getting the oil in the tanks, work the valves open an closed several times to work the oil into the gate seals until they slide easily. Terry and Jo2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB32008 Ford F450 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout Our photos on Smugmug, Bill Joyce, 40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape HybridJournal at http://www.sacnoth.comFull-timing since July 2003. Another great thing about it is you probably already have everything you need to do it on hand. 714-703-8200; rvparts@rvpartscenter.com; Search. This will not show on your comment but is for us to contact you if necessary. RV Lock Replacement. DO NOT USE the old standby, WD-40. If you prefer, you can replace the entire valve. DO NOT USE the old standby, WD-40. Try and open the valve again. The thickness will allow you to tap the body with enough threads to screw in a plug or grease zerk. Uflex Replacement Cables; Hydraulic Oil/Power Steering Fluid; Trim Controls; Uflex Rack Steering; This will then lube the valve seals. I think will go out right now and spray and work the hell out of it and see if it loosens up. no go! Screw in a 1/4-inch Zerk fitting until the shoulder of the fitting is snug to the valve bodydont over-tighten. _____ John 2015 F250 6.7l 4x4 2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS 05-28-2020, 01:47 PM . An understanding of how dump valves work helps us take better care of them. Its also safe for sewers and ok to dump at RV dump stations. 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. IN CONCLUSION ; ; The gray #2 is a long run on our unit since the valve is on the door side. Simply remove the valves after the tanks have been emptied and flushed, remove the seals and thoroughly clean the valve. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. As weve said, were not recommending this procedure, only commenting on it. What to do about sticky valve handles in RV? Maybe others will chime in soon. Replace the screw, then open and close the black or gray tank a few times to get the lubricant all over the valve. If the RV has three holding tanks, you need a Two Valve Kit plus the Single Valve Kit. 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.