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Topic: Changing of the Waste Valves (Read 2686 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Changing of the Waste Valves

Reply #25 –
Well, it's my turn. I was able to dump my black tank this morning but not the gray tank. The handle on the Valtera (inside) valve pulled out like it should but the valve stayed closed. Any help will be greatly appreciated. What part(s) do I need, and what is the procedure?
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Changing of the Waste Valves

Reply #26 –
You just buy this whole cassette looking thing at your local RV store and swap it in. Easy job when you have that kind of access. If you're smarter than the average bear, you'll find a way to dump your gray tank first  :))
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Changing of the Waste Valves

Reply #27 –
Quote from: Elliott –
You just buy this whole cassette looking thing at your local RV store and swap it in. Easy job when you have that kind of access. If you're smarter than the average bear, you'll find a way to dump your gray tank first  :))
That's what I was hoping for, as far as the 4 bolts and swap. I'm in a remote part of NV but Amazon is my friend now they they will deliver to General Delivery at some (but not all) post offices . I see they have 1.5 and 3" valves available. I have to believe mine is 3".
How would a smart bear empty his gray water tank?
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Changing of the Waste Valves

Reply #28 –
Quote from: Dakota Slim –
How would a smart bear empty his gray water tank?
Welp, if it were me I'd probably wait until I had the new valve in hand and then go to town on the old one with a wonder saw until I was able to get some needle-nose pliers on enough of the valve to open it slightly. I will keep my fingers crossed that there's a smarter bear in here with a better idea than that.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Changing of the Waste Valves

Reply #29 –
Quote from: Elliott –
Welp, if it were me I'd probably wait until I had the new valve in hand and then go to town on the old one with a wonder saw until I was able to get some needle-nose pliers on enough of the valve to open it slightly. I will keep my fingers crossed that there's a smarter bear in here with a better idea than that.
Thanks Elliott. This might be a good time to change out the 35 year old black tank valve before I put anything in that tank.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Changing of the Waste Valves

Reply #30 –
Quote from: Dakota Slim –
Thanks Elliott. This might be a good time to change out the 35 year old black tank valve before I put anything in that tank.
Definitely a good idea to swap out the old Black Tank valve while you are "in" there.  I just went through this exercise myself.  Fortunately my black tank valve failed in the OPEN position, so I dodge a bullet there.  The valves on my '90 GV are a little harder to get to than your setup, so I swapped in a new Grey Tank valve while I was at it.  Great insurance...
Jeff & Lisa
"Optimus"
1990 GV - #3605
U300 Unihome
6V92 Detroit

Re: Changing of the Waste Valves

Reply #31 –
Aren't the valve handles on a threaded rod? 

If you're going to replace the valve, you might try a long screw and a pair of pliers to try and gently pull the existing valve open.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Changing of the Waste Valves

Reply #32 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Aren't the valve handles on a threaded rod? 

If you're going to replace the valve, you might try a long screw and a pair of pliers to try and gently pull the existing valve open.
The valve handles are on a rod. I don't know whether it's threaded at either end. All I know is when I pull out the handle for the gray valve, the rod pulls out but the valve does not open like it should. The handle will rotate. I just tried that, and rotating it clockwise doesn't tighten it.
I ordered 2 new valves. Maybe when they arrive and I get them installed I'll do an autopsy. 
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Changing of the Waste Valves

Reply #33 –
First recommendation: Wear OLD, crappy clothes.
Second recommendation: Have a pressurized fresh water hose handy.
Third recommendation: A washtub or be in an area where the water coming out won't offend.
Fourth recommendation: Nice pine aerosol spray can handy.
Fifth recommendation: Use a brush or a tool to remove whatever might still be lurking in the upstream pipe.
Sixth recommendation: you might want to drill a 1/8" diameter hole thru the end cap, 3/4" away from under the new handle, and shoot some white lithium or plumber's grease in the hole.
Seventh recommendation: Pray for zero leakage after your rebuild.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Changing of the Waste Valves

Reply #34 –
Does the handle pull completely out? You might be able to get the slide to come up by prying it
1999 36 ft U270
Build 5465

Re: Changing of the Waste Valves

Reply #35 –
Quote from: fatheeler –
Does the handle pull completely out? You might be able to get the slide to come up by prying it
No. The handle pulls out to a point, just like as if it was opening the valve. Either the valve is not opening or it is opening and there is an obstruction. I should note that very little goes into my grey tank. Maybe 8 ounces of water a day and it was about 60 days since I last dumped the tanks so there's probably about 4 gallons in there. It could be that, as Nitehawk suggested, there is sludge in the upstream pipe because my grey tank usage has been the same for the 9 years that I've owned this coach.
I have ordered new valves and will kick this job down the road to my next dump. Maybe I won't need them. Considering the possibility of a sludge blockage, does anyone have a suggestion for something that will break it up and liquify it?
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird