Replacing black tank

[westtexasflash]

I have a big problem with my black tank.  Its in an 09 Monaco La Palma.  The tank has always been slow draining since I bought it used, now when the drain is opened just a little liquid comes out.  Took it to a rv repair place who said the tank is compacted inside and will probably need to be replaced.  Questions- how do you determine which tank to order, whats the cost (I know its going to be very expensive) but just a ball park estimate. Are there any other options besides replacing it?  What about pressure washing, roto rooter service or some other way to handle this.  Help!  I know theres some very knowledgeable folks out there.  Have learned a lot from this forum

 

[Arch Hoagland]

There are several RV repair places that are, let's say, less than honest.  You might want to check with a couple others if you have any more in your area.

Meanwhile I'd hook up a hose to my 40 gallon water heater drain in my house and fill the black tank with extremely hot water.  When it's almost full I would add a complete bottle of Dawn dish soap.  You don't want to add it until close to the end due to bubbles. But make sure it gets mixed in and dissolved. 

I'd let that sit for a day or two.

Have you tried just sticking a hose down the toilet and blasting around? 

There are attachments for the sewer drain that will allow you to connect a hose and blast back up inside the tank. Might give that a try.

When I drain my black tank I block the toilet flap open so there is no chance of a vacuum forming, the tank is vented but I like the idea of more air being available.

I have two black tanks and two grey tanks on my La Palma and have never had a problem for the past 14 years but I always fill the tanks when I get home, drain them and then add a half cup of Dawn to each black tank plus about three gallons of water while it's stored. 

 

[Bobtop46]

You can solve this problem over time and a lot of water.  Water is your friend when it comes to black tanks.  I would try what Arch said.  I would consider trying the same thing with a large bottle of Fabric Softner and the rest water.  Fill with water add additives let sit, then drain.  Repeat as often as needed until the problem clears.

I believe the problem with pressure washers is that you are dealing with hard substances.  They will work, make a mess, and take a long time.  I think the key is to soften the material.

 

[SpencerPJ]

Well, if you kept filling it, and only liquid came out at a trickle, it may well be filled with dried, packed, #2.  I would get a second opinion personally, as Arch pointed out, many RV shops are not 100% ethical. 

 

[Isaac-1]

Like the others have said this sounds fishy to me.  Chances are you either have a blockage or a classic case of poop pyramid going on.  Sometimes when manufacturers are installing black tanks they let the cut outs for the openings fall into the tank, these cut outs sometimes position themselves so they block the tank drain, if this is the case it needs to be dislodged and fished out. 

There are a number of chemical products that claim to help dissolve these built up solids, as well as some home cures like adding a mix of calgon water softener and laundry detergent, along with a lot of water.

 

[Born2Travel]

Sounds like you inherited the infamous poo pyramid. Slowly but surely you can get rid of it. The other posters have already guided you that way.

Did someone mention lots of water?

 

[John From Detroit]

There is a tool (Valterra Master Blaster)  That might be of major help blasting
built up crud in the tank..> Now as it happens I do not like the MB's design (The "Jet" can be easily broken off) so before I ever saw the MB I built my own

1/2 inch pvc. Top end gets a valve, vacuum breaker and hose fitting  bottom end is capped. I drilled a hole. not I think ti was 7/32" or thereabouts (right close to a quarter inch exact size don't much matter) it BLASTS the crud.. Water pressure (city 80PSI) can score concrete so it will blast it.

 

[grashley]

Welcome to the Forum!  Sorry for the reason.

I seriously doubt you need a new black tank.  What you have is a classic poo pile.

What has happened is that the RV has been used with the sewer hose connected and the black tank valve open.  In a house, the toilet is connected to a pipe that goes straight out to a sewer or septic.  In a RV, the toilet effluent goes into the black tank.  If the drain is open, the liquids drain and the solids pile up and dry out.  Think concrete.  Over time, the issue gets to the point you are at now.

To get rid of the pile takes patience, time and water.  Arch and others have described the procedure well.

Once cleaned, follow this procedure.

After EVERY empty procedure, close the valve and add 5 gal of water to the tank.  This is a welcoming committee for future deposits.
Do not empty until the tank is at least ⅔ full.  Add water to this level if needed.  This provides the fluid to push all of the solids out.  A black flush really helps, too.
Close the valve and add 5 gal water.

Follow the advise and you will recoup the entire cost to join on this project alone.  ;D

 

[kdbgoat]

You may want to check to be sure your black valve is fully closing too. I also inherited a poo pyramid. My black valve wasn't fully closing, allowing the liquids to drain away and leave the solids. Unfortunately, there's two 45? ells between the toilet and tank. That makes it impossible to use a flush wand without cutting the plumbing.

 

[SpencerPJ]

I have an endoscope, similar to this, that I think would be ideal to use to investigate your problem

https://www.amazon.com/Depstech-Endoscope-Inspection-Megapixels-Smartphone/dp/B01MYTHWK4/ref=asc_df_B01MYTHWK4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312417152853&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7526045142438536067&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016155&hvtargid=pla-469718487357&psc=1

And if you have a poo pyramid, maybe cut out the external plumbing (easy pvc work) and get at the blockage. 

 

[Gizmo100]

I have an endoscope, similar to this, that I think would be ideal to use to investigate your problem

https://www.amazon.com/Depstech-Endoscope-Inspection-Megapixels-Smartphone/dp/B01MYTHWK4/ref=asc_df_B01MYTHWK4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312417152853&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7526045142438536067&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016155&hvtargid=pla-469718487357&psc=1

And if you have a poo pyramid, maybe cut out the external plumbing (easy pvc work) and get at the blockage.

X'2 on this....It will confirm what a lot of us already think....And it will come in handy on other projects as well.

Not only that it's fun to play with ;D ;D

 

[westtexasflash]

Thanks all, still struggling with black tank,  dropped 4 qts extreme breakup plus in day before yesterday along with a bottle of dawn dish washing detergent.  Got some drainage today, will add Calgon water softner tommorow, got my fingers crossed. 

 

[Gizmo100]

Thanks all, still struggling with black tank,  dropped 4 qts extreme breakup plus in day before yesterday along with a bottle of dawn dish washing detergent.  Got some drainage today, will add Calgon water softner tommorow, got my fingers crossed.

Making progress....Don't forget Lots of water

 

[Born2Travel]

I didn't see it on this thread but if you are at home fill your black water tank from your house's water heater for the grand soakings. It is the same principle as trying to wash dishes with cold water. You can get it done but it is much easier with hot water.

 

[Old_Crow]

It might help to take the thing for a spin with all those cleaner chemicals in the tank.  Find a section of bumpy road to really stir things up.

 

[grashley]

Keep up the good, hard work!!  You are making progress!!! 

 

[westtexasflash]

Thanks for all the good advice folks.  Think I've got it.  What I did was first shop vac all I could get out thru the commode (NOT a fun job) then the 4 qts of extreme breakup plus, bottle of dawn and a bottle of Calgon water softner. Then let it set, used bathroom facilities at the rv park  Each morning I'd open the valve on black tank, would get just a little liquid.  Then a day or so ago got a bigger flow.  Added more Calgon and Dawn, let it soak.  Then this morning opened valve and out it came.  Added more Calgon, Dawn and about a half tank of water.  About to put a bag of ice down it and try the winding road drive.  Thanks again all.

 

[grashley]

GREAT!!  YOU WIN!!!!

 

[Arch Hoagland]

Oh forgot to mention. Throw in 5 ex-lax tablets.  Keeps it regular.

 

[Gizmo100]

Oh forgot to mention. Throw in 5 ex-lax tablets.  Keeps it regular.

You should of thought of that before they used the shop vac. ;D ;D

Sounds like you got it whipped ) )