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Topic: Black and grey water valves not opening  (Read 427 times) previous topic - next topic
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Black and grey water valves not opening
Hi everyone I have just joined the forum and hope someone could please give me some advice. I am a novice in the RV lifestyle and have just completed my first trip after buying my preowned RV, (a 30') in my local State park so I could practice the procedures with the manual and hopefully beging to learn how to do things and everything went quite well, made a list of a few items that need attention and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience but when I was about to leave and tried to use the dump station for the first time, I found that when I pulled the black water tank gate lever, then the grey, nothing happened! just a little trickle of waste water came but was unable to open neither of the valves. Any suggestions on what I am doing wrong??? your comments and advice would be truly appreciated Thank you!,  Fernando
1989 30'
Re: Black and grey water valves not opening
Reply #1 –
Welcome aboard!.  Congrats on the new-to-you LD.   What year is it?   When you say you pulled the lever and nothing happened,  I presume you had put something into the tanks.   Do you have an idea of the last time they were opened?   This may be obvious, but don't try opening them at home.
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Black and grey water valves not opening
Reply #2 –
Fernando,
If the tanks have not been used for a while and had some stuff in them (eg not cleaned out throughly after last use) they might have thick stuff crusted over the gates.  It is also possible the gates have failed. 
You can take off the entire gate easily but with no hose attached who knows what will come out. 

First step,
I suggest using sensor power - natural cleaners, making sure there is water in the tanks, to help dissolve old crud.

Sensor power cleaner Amazon.com: Valterra V22011 'Sensor Power' Level Gauge Cleaner - 16 oz....

Follow instructions then try dumping again.

We recently got an older LD.  Black tank would dump but sensors always showed full.
The common belief is that gunk forms on the walls and sensors will never work after some years.
 Months after we cleaned the Sensors the black tank sensors still work great. 
We use power blue (same company) whenever we empty the black tank - again natural enzymes and something to help things smell better. 

Now we are using our grey tank the sensors there always show fulll so we will treat those sensors also.

I would not use these products in fresh water tank - we treated it with vinegar as LD manual recommended but also had to manually clean out the outlet valve for the fresh water tank.

Second step,
If the above doesn’t work you can try a toilet wants (high pressure hose attachment) or a flush attachment (attaches between the gate and the hose where you can put water into the tank from the outside house to help wash things out).

We use the toilet want after every tank dump and it helps to prevent clogs.
I would be careful - if the gates have really failed you don’t want to fill the tanks up and have it all come out when you remove the gate.

I am sure others will share their stuck tank stories and how they fixed them.
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: Black and grey water valves not opening
Reply #3 –
Fernando,
Search the forum this has happend to many with all brands of RV's, as there are only a few brands of waste valves.
Did the handle and gate move, but no drain?
Did the handle move and the gate not move?  The forums(all Brands) have had numerous dicussions on this problem.
Maybe buy a clear Elbow with a clean out port so you can see in there.
The hardest part is figuring out how to NOT wear the "gifts" that come flowing out!
I would buy new valves, collect the correct wrenches and find a dump station with a large drain apron.
At the dump station and loosen the bolts until the tank starts to drain and eventually replace the valves.
Both of my rigs tend to leak a dribble to te cap side.
Rodney
1988 Mid Bath
Re: Black and grey water valves not opening
Reply #4 –
I would also ask, how long did it set by the previous owners, and did they park it without emptying the tanks? It's possible that the contents settled to the ends by the valves, and dried/consolidated/plugged the valves. You might try inserting a hose  or some kind of object the UP the openings to try and loosen the compacted materials.

Can you tell if the valves are indeed retracting? At 09:03 PM 2/11/2018, you wrote:

Quote

Welcome aboard!. Congrats on the new-to-you LD.  What year is it?  When you say you pulled the lever and nothing happened, I presume you had put something into the tanks.  Do you have an idea of the last time they were opened?  This may be obvious, but don't try opening them at home.
Joel &  dogs Dora, Sam & Zeke

2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Towd LWEROVE You can reply to this email and have it posted as a topic reply.
LDO Links:

index.php?action=notifyboard;board=2.0 Regards, The Lazy Daze Owners Team

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gini Free and Junah, canine xtrodinaire "CHERRYOTTE" our litte red home on wheels "Growing old is mandatory. Growing wise is optional."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gini Free and Junah, canine xtrodinaire
"CHERRYOTTE" our little red home on wheels
"Growing old is mandatory. Growing wise is optional."
Re: Black and grey water valves not opening
Reply #5 –

A couple of suggestions, Fernando. First, be aware that if you pull hard enough while trying to open a stuck valve, the dump valve handle can break. Have a pair of Vise-Grip pliers on hand to cope with emergencies, and get yourself a spare handle to carry. (You can sometimes find these in local stores.)

Second, a clear sewer elbow with built-in flushing nozzle, commonly known as a HydroFlush, is a good idea to use whenever dumping. It'll help get your tanks clean; otherwise crud can remain. It may not help with a stuck-valve problem, but it can't hurt to try... and it's a good thing to carry with you.

If you can't get the valves unstuck, you may need to get the rig to an RV repair place that replace them--and can cope with the mess when the old valves are taken off!

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Black and grey water valves not opening
Reply #6 –
Adding to what Andy said, the Hydroflush may serve you in two ways with this problem.  First, if may let you see if the blade of the valve moved to the open position when you pulled on the handle.  If you pulled it open by about 3" and nothing moved inside, then the handle has become detached from the blade, and you probably need the help of a pro.  Second, if the blade slid open and there is a blockage behind the blade, connecting a regular hose to the Hydroflush will direct a jet of water against that blockage and may blast it loose, at which time the sewer hose, connected to the hydroflush will direct the contents into the dump station.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB
Re: Black and grey water valves not opening
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Fernandoalneygroup  - 
Hi everyone I have just joined the forum and hope someone could please give me some advice. I am a novice in the RV lifestyle and have just completed my first trip after buying my preowned RV, (a 30') in my local State park so I could practice the procedures with the manual and hopefully beging to learn how to do things and everything went quite well, made a list of a few items that need attention and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience but when I was about to leave and tried to use the dump station for the first time, I found that when I pulled the black water tank gate lever, then the grey, nothing happened! just a little trickle of waste water came but was unable to open neither of the valves. Any suggestions on what I am doing wrong??? your comments and advice would be truly appreciated Thank you!,  Fernando
"...after buying my preowned RV, (a 30')." 

Fernando, is your 30' RV a Lazy Daze? It would help to know when members give advice.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Black and grey water valves not opening
Reply #8 –
Dear All, Thank you so very much for all the advice I have received! I really appreciate it and I have to say I am so very grateful to everyone for taking the time to help me. Thank you Thank you! I am sorry it has taken me a while to respond but I am very happy to report that my Lazy Daze is a 1989 model and with the advice many of you have given me I have been able to get the tank working, something that helped was to pour some nearly boiling water into the tank and leave it for a while, (got that advice on you tube as well as some of you (sorry I forgot the name of the gentleman who made the video!)  then fill the black and grey tanks nearly to the top (being able to see water when opening the toilet valve) with the aim to put enough weight that gravity would pressure the contents of the tank to discharge and it worked! both the grey and black tanks emptied (at least considerably according to the reading on then Control panel. I understand for what some of the advice several of you have shared that some of my sensors might be dirty with dried out matter so now that I am able to use it more often, hopefully it will clean itself gradually with regular use. Thanks are also deserved at my local State Park's, where at the dump station, I was also helped with advice from very helpful staff and fellow RV owners! Considering the age of my LD, I feel the previous owners have really looked after it very well over the years, particularly the gentleman who sold it to me! I am retired and hoping to travel and visit some of the spectacular land marks your wonderful country has to offer, the National Parks are my Dream and although I know there is not enough time in a life time to visit all, Yellow Stone is top of my "bucket list" and hope to enjoy my RV life visiting at least some of them! Again Thank you all so very much for all of your advice and support it has been wonderful to read all your messages. Thank you, Fernando
1989 30'
Re: Black and grey water valves not opening
Reply #9 –
Fernando,

That’s great news. I’m sure you’ve learned to keep liquids in the black tank between trips to keep solids from compacting. If you haven’t already learned this next tid bit  here goes.

If camped at a full hook up site (sewer connection, power & water), if you decide to hook up your black tank to the sewer connection Do Not Open the Black Tank Release Valve. Keep the valve closed and only dump your black tank when it’s 3/4 full or more.

Leaving the valve opened while hooked up will allow solids to collect and you’ll be right back where you started.

Yellowstone Reservation lines open March 2nd, I believe, and the earlier in the reservation window you call the better your chances of staying in the park. Grants Village Camp Ground is very nice. About a 45 minute drive to Old Faithful.

When making your reservation, make certain you ask for a site large enough for a second vehicle if you plan on taking one. My advice...take one. Even if it’s a rental. It will pay for itself in travel ease and gas. LDs like to drink 4x what an economy car will consume.

If you don’t reserve a site as suggested, you will not be allowed to keep it at your site. If you can find my thread on “The Road To Yellowstone” here on LDO you can read about the hell I went through rectifying my reservation error.

Congratulations on fixing your tanks and happy LDing.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Black and grey water valves not opening
Reply #10 –
Thank you very much Kent, I am very grateful for your advice and I will rent a car as you suggest. I am hoping to start later in the year and hopefully I should be able to share my learning experience as a newby Lazy Daze traveler, but in any case I am already amazed with how much I am learning just by reading the kind advice I have received from several members of the Forum. Thank you very much everyone Fernando
1989 30'