Emergency! Black tank won?t open

[donandlin]

Help!  We pull the black tank valve and nothing comes out. Tank is full. Is there another way to get valve open?

 

[SpencerPJ]

We need more information.  What type of RV etc.  A picture would be nice of valve.  If you are pulling a knob that is attached to a cable and then routes to valve on black tank, something possibly came unhooked.  Some of this you can easily access to dump tank, some will require taking off some of underbelly.  Can't give advise if we don't know what you have.

 

[Kevin Means]

Is the valve actually opening, or has the pull-rod come out of the fitting that attaches it to the valve? If the valve is opening, you?ve obviously got a blockage that will have to be cleared. How you do that depends on the design of your system, and how you?ll gain access to the holding tank and drain pipe.

If the pull-rod has come loose from the valve (ours did that once) you may have to remove the valve itself by removing the four screws that attach it to the pipe. That?s what we had to do with ours, because we could not reattach the rod to the valve. Yes, that means it?s all going to come gushing out, so be forewarned.

Kev

 

[Back2PA]

It's possible your line is just blocked with solids. I had it happen a couple years ago and fortunately had already purchased this valve just in case of such a situation. You attach the reverse flush valve. Attach your 3" sewer hose to the valve. Attach a garden hose to the valve as directed, with the hose off. Open the valve and open your black dump valve. If nothing comes out, close the reverse flush valve then turn on the hose. This will push water backwards up the dump line. In my case, it dislodged a blockage in less than five seconds. Turn off the hose, open the reverse valve and if you're lucky the tank will dump

 

[scottydl]

Scott, your link above isn't working but I think you meant this Valterra Flush King: https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-Degree-Reverse-Attachment-Trailer/dp/B008O9DV78

I have a similar one without the valve, so it's not quote as useful for completely back-filling the tank but IS able to spray water up the "out" end to rinse out extra solids.

 

[Back2PA]

Scott, your link above isn't working but I think you meant this Valterra Flush King: https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-Degree-Reverse-Attachment-Trailer/dp/B008O9DV78

I have a similar one without the valve, so it's not quote as useful for completely back-filling the tank but IS able to spray water up the "out" end to rinse out extra solids.

That's the one, thanks Scott. Yes, in this particular situation (and the one I encountered) the valve is necessary so as to provide upstream pressure against the blockage. For me it was literally like a miracle, as I was set to pull out in an hour on a long trip and was going through last minute dump and disconnect.

 

[thesameguy]

That is CRAZY.

Valterra was the It skateboard when I was a kid... and it's the same damn company! Pretty sure a Valterra is what MJF rode in BttF!

 

[camperAL1]

Hi Don and Lin,

This could be a lot of things including some things already mentioned. It also could be some debris that is blocking the valve and keeping it from opening. Here is some info on my experience I had a few months back. Hope you are able to find a good solution!

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,126556.msg1156753.html#msg1156753

 

[John From Detroit]

One question when you pull the handle does it come out?
And if it does....  IS there "Resistance" or is it very very easy

If there is Resistance and it comes out odds are the valve IS opening. and you have a clog

Story from here long ago... Seems the installers, when they cut the hole in the floor for the pipe.. Just dropped the wood in the tank, and it blocked the hole.

The owner sent the wood back to the CEO of the manufacturer.

 

[Domo]

Yup - I had a similar problem when one of the square drive cabinet screws fell down the sink drain during assembly (I'm guessing).


And, of course, if found it's way to the gray tank valve and made it never close which always gave a nice surprise when hooking up hoses just as you remove the end cap.


Finally, removed the valve - found the partially corroded 2.5" screw jammed in the valve guillotene and then replaced the valve. I wish I had sent the screw to the CEO of the company- darned good idea...

 

[WILDEBILL308]

Help!  We pull the black tank valve and nothing comes out. Tank is full. Is there another way to get valve open?

If the valve is opening and you have investigated like others have said. Find a septic guy in the yellowpages to come pump it out. Most likely he can generate enough suction on the hose to unplug it, or go in from the top to empty the majority so you can change the valve.
Have fun
Bill