Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

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Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

October 12, 2015, 08:59:03 am

Yahoo Message Number: 156314

... without paying someone else!

Hello all
The Pearl's gray water dump valve drips so I got the valve and started the research on replacing it. When I gave it a go, I couldn't spread the pipes far enough to pull the old valve out, which was the part I figured I'd have trouble with.
I read about making modifications to make this easier, and was considering cutting the solid pipe that goes from the tank to the valve and replacing part of it with something more flexible.
I was wondering if anyone has an easier solution or if my plan is the way to go.

Any advice would be appreciated...

Pat The Pearl 2000 31" IB

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #1 – October 12, 2015, 09:47:36 am

Yahoo Message Number: 156315

I'm not familiar with the specific dump valve set-up in a 30', but isn't the gate valve assembly on your 2000 the same as this (aluminum or plastic handles)?

http://www.valterra.com/product/bladex-waste-valve-body-2-metal-handle-bulk/?pcat_id=1444

If so, the whole gate valve assembly is attached by 4 bolts; there should be no need to cut or spread any pipes to remove or install it.

It's likely that I'm missing some critical point about replacing this part; not for the first time, definitely! ;-) Owners of 30' rigs will probably provide guidance, but more explanation and photos might be helpful.

Joan

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #2 – October 12, 2015, 10:46:51 am

Yahoo Message Number: 156318

Hi Joan
Yep, that's the valve and having stood on my head for a bit, I did manage to get all the bolts out. However, there appears to be enough of a "lip" on the pipes that the valve doesn't just slide out. The instructions I read said that would be the case to a lesser or greater extent, but in this case it was greater.
I've uploaded a photo to the album "The Pearl", but this is the first time I've done this so if it isn't available let me know.
I'm thinking of cutting the elbow section to the right of the photo, and replacing it with a rubber section so it moves a enough to get the valve out.

Pat

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #3 – October 12, 2015, 11:43:32 am

Yahoo Message Number: 156319

Pat, I have a 31' so am watching your dilemma carefully. Have you tried using some sort of a reverse action or spreading tool that would spread the pipes just enough to get the valve out? I suspect there is some give in them. Please let us know what you figure out. Seems like putting a flexible section in that confined area would be quite the job.

Chris

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #4 – October 12, 2015, 12:17:32 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 156320

Maybe call the factory. I'm sure Vince could be of great help.

Glen

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #5 – October 12, 2015, 12:37:31 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 156321

Since you have gotten this far and it was my coach. And I have done a double valve on a previous SOB. I would replace both valves. If you pull both sides. The entire unit comes out. With the dump exhaust in between. An entire assembly can be bought ready made this way. When both are pulled at once it was easy.
Now having not done this on my 30 foot. But planning to soon. I am curios what others gav to say. I do know someone who has done an emergency repair in a driveway. So perhaps they will chime in.
Lydia

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #6 – October 12, 2015, 02:02:03 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 156322

The photo shows fine. (Very different configuration from my TK!) If you don't receive a specific solution from a 30' owner - there are a lot of them, but maybe they haven't done this operation? - on how to get the valve over the lip with out using a real big hammer, the suggestion to call the factory might be helpful. JMHO, but I wouldn't go cutting pipes unless I'd exhausted all the other possibilities. And, as Lydia suggests, once you do figure it out, replacing both valves would probably be a good idea. ;-)

Good luck; please post the solution!

Joan

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #7 – October 12, 2015, 02:07:48 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 156323

Pat, I have no idea if this video from Valterra might be helpful, but maybe it's worth a look:

http://www.doityourselfrv.com/repair-bad-rv-waste-dump-gate-valve/

The "replace the valve" part start a bit after 5 minutes into the video.

Could the "lip" be a stuck-in-place flange seal? Just speculating....

Joan

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #8 – October 12, 2015, 02:10:45 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 156324

When you replace the valves get the ones with the metal pull handles, not plastic. I have seen the plastic handles break off before the valve wore out.

After dumping and flushing the tanks leave valve open for a day or so before replacing. This will let everything dry out and the task of replacement will be more pleasant. It doesn't hurt to apply some marine grease to the slide valve occasionally. Of coarse if you full time this is harder. I stayed in a cheap hotel for a night to do this maintenance. A pig blanket and 12VDC trouble light placed underneath made repacement easy.

bobmoore14

Crystal Nevada for a few...

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #9 – October 12, 2015, 03:04:24 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 156325

If you are anywhere near the factory, have Vince replace the valves.

A few years ago, I attempted to change the valves myself to no avail. I did not want to cut or modify anything to make it work. Calling Vince for advice didn't help.

Talking to Vince about it after he changed the valve, I felt that even though he had changed valves many times, it was a difficult process for him.

Kevin Lindsay 2000 Lazy Daze 30 IB

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #10 – October 12, 2015, 03:12:51 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 156326

This looks like what's on the 30'. I just looked at mine and it's a Valterra. RV Rotating Gate Valve Sewer Waste Assembly 3" and 1.5" When installed on mine, the 2 valve handle assemblies are rotated on the pipes to about 45* and rest on the edge of the frame thus making the handles a little easier to pull since one pulls more to the front rather than straight down.

Chris

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #11 – October 12, 2015, 03:24:04 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 156328

Lydia, this is an excellent tip. I'm going to buy an assembly to have on hand - just in case. As the LD ages, it makes sense to replace both at once.

Chris

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #12 – October 12, 2015, 05:48:57 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 156331

Lydia
Yes it does sound like the better solution. Is there a link to a unit that will work? I found this in a quick search:
Waste Valve Assembly, Double Ell Valve - S058-898412

but someone with more experience might have a better suggestion.

Pat

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #13 – October 12, 2015, 07:52:51 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 156334

Pat, go back to my message 156326 in which there is a link to the valve for the 30' although the one below looks like the same thing.

Chris

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #14 – October 12, 2015, 08:10:07 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 156336

A bit late to the party. Took a look at the underside of our 2014 21 IB, looks a bit different but not that much. Have not done this kind of a job this millenium, but in the last one, our 18 ft travel trailer tire shredded and the repair facility missed that the sewer connection failed. Quiet job in a park along the Green River.

I believe if you remove both valves you will have enough room to get them out. I agree with another poster on doing them both at the same time and to use metal pulls.

Joel & Mary Charlie & Dora

Orwan 2013 31 IB 2011 CRV towd.

From: "pgray58@... [lifewithalazydazerv]" To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, October 12, 2015 5:59 AM Subject: [LD] Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

... without paying someone else!

Hello all
The Pearl's gray water dump valve drips so I got the valve and started the research on replacing it. When I gave it a go, I couldn't spread the pipes far enough to pull the old valve out, which was the part I figured I'd have trouble with.
I read about making modifications to make this easier, and was considering cutting the solid pipe that goes from the tank to the valve and replacing part of it with something more flexible.
I was wondering if anyone has an easier solution or if my plan is the way to go.

Any advice would be appreciated...

Pat The Pearl 2000 31" IB

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #15 – October 13, 2015, 01:44:25 am

Yahoo Message Number: 156340

Yep that looks like the ticket.

Black is larger than grey in size.
Can't say whether those are metal handles but agree having is a nice upgrade
What you sacrifice here is the parts assembled to the tank side. This are glued in. But if you pull all eight bolts it should all slip lol we and let the new ones back in. Be careful with the o rings. Use Vaseline to make them slip rather than stick as you put new ones back in. If they are not in grooves they will leak.

Best Lydia

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #16 – October 13, 2015, 01:41:34 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 156346

Just saw picture.

Didn't realize this was an "in compartment" model.

However, it shouldn't change anything said earlier.

Best

Lydia.

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #17 – October 14, 2015, 06:59:21 am

Yahoo Message Number: 156367

Thank you all so much for your help and support!
Chris, I missed the picture the first time, but that does look like the right setup. I found a Valterra on Amazon for a bit less and I can get it tomorrow - the model number is T80 so I'm hoping someone can confirm that this is the same as I have OR give me an idea where the number might be (probably on the back of the unit LOL),
Lydia - The whole compartmentalization of the thing puzzles me - it seems like it would be better to have the outflow pointing down out the little trap door, rather than all the angles need to get the hose hooked up and and out. But as you say, it shouldn't change the installation...

Thank you all again...

Pat

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #18 – October 14, 2015, 09:08:05 am

Yahoo Message Number: 156369

Pat-
I'm probably telling you something you already know; if so, I apologize.
The outlet pipe in these setups may rotate up and down, so it can point downward to a hatch located beneath the pipe. I had someone demonstrate this to me on his 30IB, as it was the first time I'd run across this piping arrangement.
Other manufacturers use this same setup, and apparently rotating the outlet pipe each time you dump the tanks does not seem to cause problems (e.g., leakage) over the expected lifespan of the valves/assembly. (This is where I say :"Your mileage may vary")
Once you bolt in your new assembly, see if you can rotate the outlet pipe. It takes a little extra effort to start the rotation, then a steady force.
In closing, a salutation: "May all your tanks be clean and leak-free."

Mark

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #19 – October 14, 2015, 09:37:58 am

Yahoo Message Number: 156370

Mark - Thanks for the confirmation - it's good to know it's a feature and not a failure! I accidentally rotated it BEFORE I dumped the tanks and I had a second of sheer terror thinking I was just about to be drenched in unspeakable fluids. It does make putting the hose on a bit easier, but the hatch isn't under the opening for some reason.
And I hope that black tank is good and clean when I pull that part of the assembly apart... YIKES!
As an aside, once I had some daylight I poked, peaked and rotated trying to find a model number on the assembly, and I used the camera on my phone to get shots of the back too. All I got was a really good selfie with the dump valves... no number to be found.

Pat

Re: Easier way to replace gray water dump valve...

Reply #20 – October 14, 2015, 09:38:19 am

Yahoo Message Number: 156371

Pat, my LD is not available at the moment (in the shop for new brakes). The only thing I saw on the assembly when I looked at it the other day was "Valterra", so I can't confirm the #. But it surely looked the same.

Please let us know how the install goes.

Chris

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