Black tank won't empty!

[Iowa Dave]

This brings back memories of having oversight for 25 public restrooms and 6 municipal swimming pools . Never a dull moment and never a truer statement than necessity is a mother of invention or something like that. Get your mind right and you can do anything when it comes to plumbing. I know.
Dave

[gbaglo]

As a bus boy on the BC Ferries, I cleaned at least 10 toilet stalls, 12 urinals and as many sinks between sailings. Made four sailing a shift. In spare time we polished brass.

[riverplace]

Thank you so much! Such good advise can be had on these posts. It really helps take the anxiety out of camping with Escapes and has given me the confidence to repair what I can. I've been trying to think of what to use to probe the valve, then remembered I have a fly swatter somewhere with a metal handle. Will check it out in daylight and when the rain ends. And, I'm going to label that monitor so I don't forget again next year!

[Loren & Cathy]

One thing that I have found out that helps is starting with a little more water in the black tank. Loren

[Greg A]

Originally Posted by riverplace

I've been trying to think of what to use to probe the valve, then remembered I have a fly swatter somewhere with a metal handle. Will check it out in daylight and when the rain ends.

Swatting flies will never be the same for you.....

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

Though I've never had a problem with one of these valves I have been told that some of them have rods that thread into the gate.

Since I just happen to have a spare one handy, , I tried "unthreading" the rod. Turned and turned but it didn't unthread.

Ron

[Devil Dog]

Use a shop Vac and empty from the inside .Then you can do all the poking you like .
A long hose will keep the air from the fan out side . Then inforce the no paper rule.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Since I just happen to have a spare one handy, , I tried "unthreading" the rod. Turned and turned but it didn't unthread.

Ron

I guess I was given bad information. That's unfortunate; it would have been an easy fix. Can you determine how the two are connected, Ron?

[Zardoz]

Originally Posted by Greg A

I think Tu Esposa should video this while your poking. Could be a $10,000 winner on AFV.

The only outcome that could be worse is the guy who had his "overflow" come out of his vent stack. Shampoo wasn't enough ...

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

I guess I was given bad information. That's unfortunate; it would have been an easy fix. Can you tell how the two are connected, Ron?

The housing can't be taken apart. There is an end cap that the shaft passes through. I suspect they insert the slide valve with the shaft attached through the end cap. Then it's inserted into the housing and snaps in place. It does'n't appear to be removable. I suspect that the shaft either has a groove in it or a circlip is used. Either way if the handle detached I don't think that it would be possible to thread it back in.

I've been know to disect stuff just to see how it works but in this case the valve is in perfectly good condition to use as a spare so that's not going to happen.

Ron

[gocamp]

silicone spray around the gate valve came to mind for a last ditch try. A thread stripped handle, that would be tough.

[Donna D.]

JB Weld! If the handle is stripped, just glue the dang thing in place. You'll want to replace the valve anyway, so you don't need to be neat and tidy, you just want the tank to drain right now.

I haven't read the particulars... are you traveling? And you think there's a plug? If at home, pour and ENTIRE bottle of tank digester into the tank (I'm talking about the 6-8 ounce size). Give it a couple of days to work. There was a couple that attended the Oregon Gathering one year, paper and poo plugged up the valve on their trailer. THIS is the only thing that worked, that wasn't to disgusting to fix. Good luck!

[Dave Walter]

The black tank discharge is a fairly large diameter pipe. If the pipe is plugged, I would suggest that you open the valve and get a really amiable friend with long thin arms to reach in and dislodge the obstruction.

[gocamp]

" If at home, pour and ENTIRE bottle of tank digester into the tank (I'm talking about the 6-8 ounce size). Give it a couple of days to work."

appreciate it, great tip.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by ice-breaker

The black tank discharge is a fairly large diameter pipe. If the pipe is plugged, I would suggest that you open the valve and get a really amiable friend with long thin arms to reach in and dislodge the obstruction.

Hi: All... This is a very dark and ominous problem that might have a simple solution... Mr. Plumber. At least the gate valves are avail at near by RV Dealers. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Ron in BC]

The O.P. hasn't confirmed yet if he's established yet what the problem it. I suggest again that he use a flexible wire to establish if the slide valve handle is detached from the slide. If that's the case the solution is replace the valve. If not, and there's a clog then break it up and get things moving.

But the first step is still confirm that the slide valve is open.

Ron

[ReagentGrade]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

... the first step is still confirm that the slide valve is open.

Determine the actual problem before devising the solution?? Where's the fun in that?

When we actually know the true problem it stiffles creativity. If the slide valve isn't actually open, the amiable friend with a long arm is out of a job. Well dang, I say! I was going to volunteer my brother for that task.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by ReagentGrade

If the slide valve isn't actually open, the amiable friend with a long arm is out of a job.

That shouldn't be hard to figure out, would probably take two people, a bucket and a flashlight. Don't hookup the sewer hose, uncap the valve, place bucket under valve, look inside holding the flashlight shining into the pipe. The other person, slowly opens the valve... just a tiny bit is all that's needed to see if it will open. Be prepared to "jump" back and wear shoes you wouldn't mind throwing away

[gbaglo]

Here you go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHgRmR024BE

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by ReagentGrade

Determine the actual problem before devising the solution?? Where's the fun in that?

Evidently there must be a lot of fun devising a solution for a problem that you don't know if you have because it's seems to be a popular pastime.

Originally Posted by Donna D.

That shouldn't be hard to figure out, would probably take two people, a bucket and a flashlight. Don't hookup the sewer hose, uncap the valve, place bucket under valve, look inside holding the flashlight shining into the pipe.

By golly Donna, you're absolutely right, except for the two person part. Since I've never stuck my face up close to the cap end of the waste valve I didn't think you could actually see round the bend to see if the valve is open. That's why I suggested using a flexible wire to see if the valve was open or not.

But, since my valve is brand new and unused I tested it out. You're right, if you get up close and personal you can see enough of the slide to tell if it's open or not. Not bad to do on a new valve but on a used one.... maybe shoving a wire in might be preferable to some folks.

Ron