Black tank handle stuck

[oldman66]

Good morning

We just got a used 2021 Cabin Cruiser 24rbs. We didn't notice the black tank handle was in the open position when we moved it to our site in March then went camping the first time April 1st. My wife had to use commode liners the whole time. Not a happy camping experience to say the least.

The black tank handle is stuck on OPEN but it's not draining. I can't move or push the handle in at all and it's NOT draining to the valve inside is stuck closed.

The dumb dealer said the tank was cleaned and gone over. Liars. After getting transferred to the service manage he said they left it open so it gets air and dries it out. We had below freezing temps all winter. I told them you don't want the seals to dry out and the cap is on anyway. They lie. They expected us to move it to them. I said no way we can't move it now. We just loaded it up with all our stuff.

I dumped some hot water in the tank. Just put in that Thetford Lubricant today. Won't know till I get there again to see if it moves.

Any other ideas to get that handle to go back in and get this thing unclogged?

Thanks

 

[Emm_gee]

If it's like most of them, there should be 4 bolts/nuts that hold the valve section in place. If you take them out then the entire valve section should come out. If something's broken, it's a fairly easy piece to get from an RV place. Note that you might end up breaking one or more of the bolts if they're really rusted but you can get replacements from almost any hardware/building store. Just make sure you put the right lube on the seals around the edge before putting it back in to avoid any leaks

 

[oldman66]

If it's like most of them, there should be 4 bolts/nuts that hold the valve section in place. If you take them out then the entire valve section should come out. If something's broken, it's a fairly easy piece to get from an RV place. Note that you might end up breaking one or more of the bolts if they're really rusted but you can get replacements from almost any hardware/building store. Just make sure you put the right lube on the seals around the edge before putting it back in to avoid any leaks

I saw the bolts. Problem is the tank is not empty and about 1/3 full but hard to know if that is correct. The handle is pulled out but it's still closed inside and can't drain it. So either it's stuck really bad or something broke. That would be something a tech would have to do.

 

[Ronald1955]

With the cap off can you insert a flexible probe past the valve? I have change these valves on my older RV. No real issue if the tank is empty.

 

[L Spillman]

Well, Old Man 66, you have a problem, as you know. The last thing I would do is remove that valve or run anything up there to dislodge what ever the problem is unless I was sure the tank is empty.

I have had these problems on 2 different coaches. I purchased a Valterra Flush King™ 45 Degree Reverse Flush Valve Attachment for RV, Camper, Trailer from Amazon and that did the trick on the first one. The second one I had to purchase Unique RV Digest-It+, 16 Extra-Strength RV Toilet Treatments - Liquifies Waste and Toilet Paper - Odor Eliminator (32 oz) (also Amazon) as the previous owner never added enough water to clean out the tank so had a massive build up. I think what she actually did was leave the valve open all the time and the water drained out and left everything else behind. I NEVER leave my black or grey tank valves open when I am hooked up in a park.

Hope this helps you and others.

 

[Dennis4809]

How do you know that it’s stuck in the open position? Sounds like it’s closed and stuck. Pull harder!