Clogged black tank

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Clogged black tank

April 16, 2020, 10:30:21 pm

I'm trying to help an older camper in my park having GV problems.
It's an 87, i cant identify the model. On a GM Chassis (so title says), tag axle. 36'. Power in on outside wall, far driver's side. Water inlet drivers side. 2/3 way down.
Vented battery compartment passenger side far back. "Wet bay" VERY small compared to mine, almost all the way to the rear with only two dump valves in the bay along with the heater. Dump valves have no ID.

Owner left both dumps open, for months and toilet goes down VERY slow. I'm assuming she has a poo pyramid.
I cant locate a black flush connection anyplace. I hooked up a elbow with garden hose connection to dump line to try to back flush while elevating the sewer line above apparent tank level in an attempt to back flush with no love.
Thinking of trying one of those black tank cleaning wands but would love to use the tank flush connection.
Where/how would I I flush the black tank on this old of a unit? Owner is older and knows almost nothing about it.
Hell, it's hard to positively ID the black tank on this.
She's a sweet older lady and the Boy Scout in me wants to help.
Suggestions?
Only have the one picture.
Can take more in daylight on request.

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #1 – April 16, 2020, 10:50:24 pm

Might try closing both valves hen the old hose through the window and a spray nozzle work from the top down. Run some water 5 gallon or so the open the valves one at time shouldn't be too hard to figure which one is gray.

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #2 – April 16, 2020, 10:55:08 pm

Thanks for your suggestion, bbeane.
That way I'll know grey from black.

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #3 – April 16, 2020, 11:00:41 pm

Is the coach road worthy? If so, fill the tank and have her take it for a 1/2 hour ride, then dump and see what happens.

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #4 – April 16, 2020, 11:17:26 pm

Quote from: Dakota Slim – April 16, 2020, 11:00:41 pm

Is the coach road worthy? If so, fill the tank and have her take it for a 1/2 hour ride, then dump and see what happens.

I think at this point, what we have is a park model.
I gave her some tank cleaner pods (2). Told her to flush them along with some dish or laundry soap. And we'll try in the AM.
Also told her to get one of those thank cleaner wands from Wally World.
Wish I could find the black tank flush connection....

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #5 – April 16, 2020, 11:24:10 pm

Close the blades.
Fabric softener.
Boil the largest water pot you have. Dump it in the toilet, followed by the shower head o.n full hot . Add another 10 gal of water .
Open the valve.

If that won't open it You may have to blow water or air into the exhaust.

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #6 – April 16, 2020, 11:33:38 pm

Look up Geo method for black tank. after adding everything go for a scenic drive for a couple hours.. Then try

Dawn dish soap, Calgon, also have read ice to break up the solid stuff

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #7 – April 16, 2020, 11:46:44 pm

I commend you for tackling this dirty job! Hey, you might want to contact Mike Roe of Dirty Jobs fame! He could make a segment out of this with him doing all the dirty work! An Idea for sure!

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #8 – April 16, 2020, 11:50:25 pm

I put a bag of ice in the black tank after dumping before leaving the CG, never had a pyramid, the ice will bang around and knock down build up then it melts away.

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #9 – April 16, 2020, 11:59:08 pm

Pls. dont forget this unit is not moving. (Not mine and I dont feel comfortable taking responsibility.)
Hot water trick sounds interesting.
Is there a tank flush connection on this model?

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #10 – April 17, 2020, 12:20:53 am

We use 10% vinegar in our vacuum toilets at work. We put several gallons in vacuum line and a gallon in the toilet and leave in place overnight. Engineers say it helps clean and remove deposits. Agitation and dilution seems to be required in her situation. Yes it's dirty job. No good deed goes unpunished. Good karma thou. Good luck.
Scott

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #11 – April 17, 2020, 12:31:45 am

It sounds like this is a stationary unit. Just to clarify, hold the foot pedal down on the toilet and use a flashlight to see what's going on. Holding the foot pedal down use the spray nozzle on the hose to loosen things up. With that said if the clog is in the piping It's likely to get messy working from the bottom up.

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #12 – April 17, 2020, 12:43:05 am

Quote from: bbeane – April 17, 2020, 12:31:45 am

It sounds like this is a stationary unit. Just to clarify, hold the foot pedal down on the toilet and use a flashlight to see what's going on. Holding the foot pedal down use the spray nozzle on the hose to loosen things up. With that said if the clog is in the piping It's likely to get messy working from the bottom up.

Did this already......
With the flush valve open, I saw water a few inches down the drain pipe. The flush water started filling the drain up then into the toilet.
Will try spray nozzle tomorrow.

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #13 – April 17, 2020, 01:11:14 am

May require dawn dishwashing in the tank and a drive.

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #14 – April 17, 2020, 02:11:25 am

Quote from: Caflashbob – April 17, 2020, 01:11:14 am

May require dawn dishwashing in the tank and a drive.

Provided friend with some dawn and two pods of tank cleaner this evening with instructions.
I am not taking responsibility for driving the rig and the owner is afraid to drive it.

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #15 – April 17, 2020, 05:20:08 am

Broom Handel down the toilet, stir...

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #16 – April 17, 2020, 06:55:31 am

I had a plug in mine shortly after getting the coach. I got a 6' length of 1/2" PVC to act as a dislodging device. It was flexible enough to go thru toilet and the elbow under it to remove the culprit. Threw the PVC away and bought another which I carry just in case.

Larry

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #17 – April 17, 2020, 07:28:28 am

Quote from: Moby – April 16, 2020, 11:59:08 pm

Is there a tank flush connection on this model?

Not from the factory.

Mike

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #18 – April 17, 2020, 08:15:33 am

And NEVER leave the black tank valve open again.
There is no flush connection on that model.
Broom handle, Dawn, maybe a jackhammer.

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #19 – April 17, 2020, 08:41:53 am

If you can see/access the side of the black tank, go to an RV dealer and buy the flush spinner kit. It will have an instruction sheet telling how to mount it and use it.
Anybody ever think of using some Drano and letting it set o'nite? The materials of the holding system aren't any different than our sticks 'n bricks systems.
Does the commode sit directly above the black tank? I made a "flush wand" out of pvc pipe, an end cap, and a female hose coupling. I used long enough pvc pipe that I didn't have to bend over the commode and risk a backsplash in the face. I drilled one (1) 1/4" diameter hole at 45 degrees thru the pvc pipe right above the glued on end cap. I also included a hose shutoff on the other end so I could turn the water on and off. Turn the water on at the tap, then when you have pushed the pvc wand down into the pile--turn it on and "mix" the pile with the wand and pressured water.

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #20 – April 17, 2020, 09:16:59 am

Quote from: Moby – April 16, 2020, 10:30:21 pm

I'm trying to help an older camper in my park having GV problems.

Owner left both dumps open, for months and toilet goes down VERY slow.

She's a sweet older lady and the Boy Scout in me wants to help.
Suggestions?
Only have the one picture.
Can take more in daylight on request.

Check the stinky slinky for patency, "stuff" may have settled partially clogging the line.

When all is said and done, teach her how to dump the tanks. The closest we've ever come to a poo pyramid was a poo iceberg.

If that GV has become a park model, she could have a plumber install a household toilet and hard plumb the drains.

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #21 – April 17, 2020, 09:35:40 am

Yep. A stiff piece of hose 4-5 foot long and go to town thru the toilet. Just keep working it. My Bounder had a 90 before the tank and this would clear it. If yours is straight down, Use a metal coat hanger to cut up the poo

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #22 – April 17, 2020, 09:46:42 am

I suggested to a lady last summer with a similar issue trying three days of Happy Camper "Extreme" with almost full tank for three days and she had success. The park's office store sold the product.

Currently out of stock, maybe available locally:
Amazon.com: EXTREME CLEANER by Happy Campers - RV & Marine Extreme Tank &...

At bottom of this link is locator link by zip code.
Extreme Cleaner RV & Marine Extreme Tank & Sensor Cleaner - HAPPY CAMPERS RV...

Good info on using their product.
Tips For Tanks | HAPPY CAMPERS RV

Why I strongly recommend their products.
1) I've used for over 10 years and could tell many positive stories of it's use.
2) Once my dog (10lb Yorki) got in where it was stored, and ate we estimate a couple ounces of it. Bye the time we got his face away from it his face was all white with the powder. I panicked, it was Sunday night about 7PM. I found the companies phone number, called, a man answered the phone, he assured me all would be ok. I asked what his position with the company was. He said "I am the founder and owner, It may take me 10 minutes, but I'll find and email you the original toxicology study and report we had to do to start selling this product." This was for their regular product, not the "Extreme" product.

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Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #23 – April 17, 2020, 10:49:26 am

As I said could get ugly.

Re: Clogged black tank

Reply #24 – April 17, 2020, 10:57:10 am

Face mask, face shield, nose plugs smeared with Vicks, rubber gloves, hip boots, Shower wash station standing by.
Maybe even Government Toxic waste spill cleanup team on site?

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