Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 09, 2025 ...

1996 black tank valve

March 19, 2018, 11:11:09 am

Hi everyone. First time foretravel owner of 1 year.
Pulled black tank valve,and rod seems to have broke or came loose. Guess i remove 6 wet bay panel screws,and cut back caulk and take,a look? Thanks

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Re: 1996 black tank valve

Reply #1 – March 19, 2018, 11:19:31 am

You will find it behind there. If the end has threads maybe try to stab it a few times and hope to hit the target. No threads take it apart.

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Re: 1996 black tank valve

Reply #2 – March 19, 2018, 01:27:29 pm

Thanks craneman, removed panel,and amazon ordered 3in valterra valve. Jyst wondering how to drain tank to replace valve?

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Re: 1996 black tank valve

Reply #3 – March 19, 2018, 02:01:09 pm

Can you get some vice grips on whatever is left? If not use a saw near where the handle was until you can pull the shaft.

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Re: 1996 black tank valve

Reply #4 – March 19, 2018, 02:32:12 pm

Hopefully my pulled out handle picture shows up. It has grooved slot like an automobile valve stem. Maybe held by clip? Valve handle goes thru bottom fiberglass panel, dump valve body is outward next to panel. Gray water valve is farther in. Might need dremel to cut and find something to grab.

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Re: 1996 black tank valve

Reply #5 – March 19, 2018, 03:57:48 pm

The clip might have been in the gate valve itself. Could be a real problem. Maybe someone has been there and will chime in. Measure the diameter of the shaft and get a long bolt and try to thread enough to pull the valve open. Be sure to have the hose hooked up!!

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Re: 1996 black tank valve

Reply #6 – March 19, 2018, 05:07:14 pm

Tom,  since the rod looks like it came out of the gate valve, you may be able to destroy the narrow top of your broken valve to manually access the sliding gate.  There are searchable Foreforum posts on how others were able to open a broken valve to empty tank. 

BTW, we permanently left off the top access cover as it is nice to see problems and leaks, and it also is an extra storage space.

Also next time so you don't need to pull so hard, loosen valve with vegetable oil or other ideas when it gets tight. 

Change both gray & black valves at the same time.  Clean all surfaces that touch valve, we use some plumbers grease on rubber seals when installing.

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Re: 1996 black tank valve

Reply #7 – March 19, 2018, 08:00:25 pm

Good time to install a third valve. It's the best mod we've done to our coach.

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Re: 1996 black tank valve

Reply #8 – March 19, 2018, 08:25:01 pm

Thanks for the ideas. I called valterra, they said remove t hsndle and lightly tap threaded end into valve, no go.
Looks like possible dremel to cut valvebody, then carefully grab blade valve and pull slow.
To be continued.

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Re: 1996 black tank valve

Reply #9 – March 20, 2018, 09:13:16 pm

Had the same happen to me. Had to cut away part of the valve till I could grab the blade with needle nose pliers. Had everything hooked up to dump. Had rags wrapped around the valve. Had some leakage, not a huge amount. Cut the existing line with a reciprocating saw and used a rubber hose splice from the hardware store. Easy job. Took a little more than an hour start finish. Cleaned out the bay with bleach.

Larry

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Re: 1996 black tank valve

Reply #10 – March 20, 2018, 09:13:48 pm

Had the same happen to me. Had to cut away part of the valve till I could grab the blade with needle nose pliers. Had everything hooked up to dump. Had rags wrapped around the valve. Had some leakage, not a huge amount. Cut the existing line with a reciprocating saw and used a rubber hose splice from the hardware store. Easy job. Took a little more than an hour start finish. Cleaned out the bay with bleach.

Larry

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Re: 1996 black tank valve

Reply #11 – March 20, 2018, 09:24:42 pm

I apologize for the double post. Old age I guess.

Tom if you do a search,  I have pictures posted.

Larry

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Re: 1996 black tank valve

Reply #12 – March 23, 2018, 10:09:24 pm

Well kids got black tank drained with pulled out grab rod. Dw might be missing cup hanger. But ah I digress.

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