Waste water gushing out

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Waste water gushing out

August 12, 2020, 07:00:31 pm

Attaching pictures of 2 valves that have to do with the black & grey tanks but which one is which? More importantly it's leaking In the front and in the rear and when I screw the cap off, it gushes like Niagara Falls but much less appealing. Both levers appear to be in all the way. Not sure what to do & could really use some advice. The other pic with M&M Hose Co. doesn't seem to do anything but house a hose. But the hose will only extend out so far. So is this just hose storage & it's stuck or does it have another purpose? I really need to get this emptied. It's a 1982 FTX Ored. Thanks in advance.

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #1 – August 12, 2020, 07:17:04 pm

If the tanks are stacked, the upper one is black and lower one gray. The black tank will be flush with the bottom of the floor. The hose should come out of the storage pipe. I looks like the mount is broken for it. It also seems your valves have failed unless the liquid is only between the valve and the cap. If the valve has been opened while the cap was on then maybe just a few gallons there. You need to get to a dump station with a hose coupling that matches your discharge pipe and work fast. Not going to be pleasant.

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #2 – August 12, 2020, 07:36:23 pm

So the valve system probably needs to be replaced? Ugh! Tried the dump station yesterday but couldn't get the hose on because of the pressure. Guess I'll need a bucket.

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #3 – August 12, 2020, 09:09:52 pm

Find a field and let her rip. Just kidding!

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #4 – August 12, 2020, 09:15:45 pm

Seems you have a real crappy job ahead of you.

And like it is said--Better you than me. (altho I must admit I have already had my "turn".)

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #5 – August 12, 2020, 11:13:19 pm

Had that happen to me also. We had just spent a week at FOT getting work done on our 2002 U320. Pulled up to the FOT dump station and removed the discharge pipe cap to install the sewer hose. The black valve lever linkage had failed with the valve wide open even though the rod was pushed all the way in. Stuff came out with such force that all I could do was jump aside and let'er go.

Can you imagine having to go in and confess such a deed? FOT was very gracious about the incident. We stayed the night in a hotel. The next morning, FOT replaced the failed valve. Also had them install a third valve at the end of the discharge pipe so that can NEVER happen again.

Talk about mortified! How horrible. The LORD was good to me, though, and sent a 8" rain that night and the mess was all cleaned up by morning.

Larry

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #6 – August 12, 2020, 11:40:50 pm

I had a 1981 Foretravel and had to redo the drain pipes after a rock cracked part of the original. I put in 2 new valves and, like Larry, added a 3rd valve, just before the end, to prevent surprises.

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #7 – August 13, 2020, 12:17:12 am

Quote from: Dakota Slim – August 12, 2020, 11:40:50 pm

added a 3rd valve, just before the end, to prevent surprises.

They call it "belt and suspenders". A very comforting, easy upgrade.

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #8 – August 13, 2020, 01:23:20 am

And that's why our plumbing has a clear cap on it...... no surprises. Along with the third valve.

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #9 – August 13, 2020, 01:41:32 am

Quote from: Bob & Sue – August 13, 2020, 01:23:20 am

And that's why our plumbing has a clear cap on it...... no surprises.

I also have a third valve but would be interested in a clear cap. Where did you come by yours?

Richard

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #10 – August 13, 2020, 02:35:55 am

We've had it a few years but my guess is C World. Sorry, CRS creeps in often these days.

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #11 – August 13, 2020, 09:39:11 am

Quote from: dans96u295ft – August 12, 2020, 09:09:52 pm

Find a field and let her rip. Just kidding!

He is just kidding, but in a similar situation that is exactly what I would do. Find a deserted country road with zero traffic, far from any houses. Pull off the pavement where there is a bar ditch with lots of grass and weeds. Open the caps and dump the tanks.

OH THE HORROR!

Really? - it's just human poop and pee. No different than what every other animal randomly deposits on the ground every day. Yes, there might be a bit more volume...but otherwise just the same. It will biodegrade pretty quickly and cause no lasting environmental damage.

Just don't get caught. And silently vow to NEVER ever do it again. For penance, make a $$ donation to your favorite "tree hugger" charity.

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #12 – August 13, 2020, 09:45:25 am

Might check with local wastewater treatment facility and see if they could allow you to dump.

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #13 – August 13, 2020, 09:48:10 am

The problem is he can't get a dump hose connected without a causing a major "spill".

IMHO, would be preferable to cause the "spill" where nobody will notice or care. But that's just me....

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #14 – August 13, 2020, 10:01:40 am

Ok, when I bought my coach I had a similar problem. I had no idea the cable was broken. Luckily I stopped at a flying J . When I pulled the cap, what a surprise. I was very close to the dump and it is slanted, so I just had to rinse with a hose.
I recommend getting close to it and you shouldn't have a problem. Then you can get a adapter and another valve that will twist on to get you by until you can make a correct repair. The reason for the adapter is the Thetford that comes on FT is larger than what is commonly used today.
Good luck.

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #15 – August 13, 2020, 10:34:19 am

Ah the joys of dumping the tanks. What fun. Yeah I think we've all been there done that. This year I was kind to myself and put in 2 electric dump valves while changing out a new manual 3rd valve plus have the 4th valve at the end of my wastemaster hose. Also wired it with a on off circuit breaker so valves won't be energized unless I want them to be. And took away the lower cover so I can see behind. It was a real mess there let me tell you. All clean now. And storage for hose to.

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #16 – August 13, 2020, 10:40:52 am

I got a surprise when we brought our coach to a dump station on the way home from our first outing.
Seems the black valve hadn't closed fully and there was leakage present behind the end cap. Being new I didn't realize something like that could happen.
After cleaning up (me), the dump site, and my shorts, we proceeded home.
At home I checked the gate valve again. It appeared that the handle wasn't all the way closed.
So, off to the RV dealer and I bought a new valve. I dismantled the black valve piping and was confounded by what I found! There was a small splinter of bone stuck in the groove/seal area that prevented closing completely the gate valve.
I imagine the PO must have been puzzled by the leakage.

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #17 – August 13, 2020, 11:00:06 am

Quote from: Green99 – August 13, 2020, 10:01:40 am

...the Thetford that comes on FT is larger than what is commonly used today.

Yes, as noted, the white capped fitting and the white malfunctioning dump valves are Thetford brand. These are usually replaced with the more commonly available Valterra brand components. Once you (somehow) get your tanks emptied, this modification should be a high priority.

You will need two "in-line" dump valves. The valve bodies are all the same, but the flange type is selected to match your existing pipes.

3" Valve Assemblies Archives - Valterra.com

We recommend installing a third dump valve (with termination cap) at the end of your dump pipe. This provides a safety "backup" valve, and also provides a means (when emptying tanks) to flush out the black tank with the contents of the gray tank.

3" Valve Assemblies With Caps Archives - Valterra.com

You can find these Valterra products online or at most RV supply stores. Shop around for the best price. See the link below to a post showing the 3rd valve on my coach. Different dump pipe setups may require different pipe & valve arrangements, but the basic concept remains the same.

Third Waste Gate Valve

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #18 – August 13, 2020, 01:16:06 pm

If you're home, calling your Municipal Waste facility isn't that far fetched an idea. Where do you think the septic tank pump out guys go to empty their tanks? I know because I used to use it, the Waste Water treatment facility on Brown Avenue in Manchester, NH is free for city residents to use. The RV facility consists of a 4" hole in a steel plate over a manhole. And a rinse hose with non-potable water.

After that it's back home for tarps and towels, 14 trips to Lowe's or Home Depot plus a visit from the UPS pan with your 3 Valterra valves and the oh so important connector for a standard RV hose.

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #19 – August 13, 2020, 03:38:59 pm

When I lived in Tucson, we lived on a culdesac with a sewer manhole; a fabulous dump station with a big hole. I carry a crowbar.

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #20 – August 13, 2020, 03:42:58 pm

There are a few RV dumps where a hose is not needed, provided the discharge clears all parts of your coach.
The Cosgrave, NV rest area on I80 just west of Winnemucca has a free RV dump which is my all time favorite. It has a long trough that you can dump into with or without a hose. Just position your outlet so it dumps into the trough and let it rip. Then there is a lever which jets water into the trough, making the trough nice and clean for the next user.
Their fresh (well) water is good as well.

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #21 – August 13, 2020, 03:46:15 pm

Quote from: TGordon – August 13, 2020, 03:38:59 pm

When I lived in Tucson, we lived on a culdesac with a sewer manhole; a fabulous dump station with a big hole.

Sounds just like Cousin Eddie.

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #22 – August 13, 2020, 04:26:36 pm

Oh, just another thought. When working on dump valves raise that side of the coach with the valves, or lower the other side. Helps keep things dry while working.

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #23 – August 13, 2020, 04:53:08 pm

Quote from: Green99 – August 13, 2020, 04:26:36 pm

When working on dump valves raise that side of the coach with the valves, or lower the other side.

OP has a 1982 Oshkosh FTX ORED. Don't know if it had that leveling system capability, or if it even had adjustable air bag suspension. (?)

Re: Waste water gushing out

Reply #24 – August 13, 2020, 05:22:42 pm

It has a leveling system but not sure I can get it positioned enough. What's a 3rd valve & is it expensive?

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