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dave14117's avatar
dave14117
Explorer
May 26, 2014

Gray Water Won't Drain!

Our 05 Cougar 5'er seems to be plugged up on the gray side. Sink backing up, tank gauge shows E. Drain valve appears to be working. Not sure what's going on. Anyone seen this?

7 Replies

  • I have a 5th wheel with an enclosed underbelly as well. Has one of those long handles with cable for operating tank valves. After receiving an unexpected black tank surprise when I removed the cap to drain the tank, I decided to put another valve right at the cap. This way I can prevent another surprise should the cable valve have an issue like it did. If they are partially open or stuck you will have the same thing happen to you. Ordered a valterra valve assembly off amazon and used abs glue to install it. I used a grinder to grind off the little nubs that the cap secures to and then applied the glue to the new valve and installed it. Make sure to use abs glue and not pvc or cpvc. most rvs will use black abs plastic and it says abs on the pipe.
  • gbopp wrote:
    dave14117 wrote:
    Never mind. It's a new trailer for us. We just realized there's a SECOND tank for gray; with its own drain (carefully hidden). Ok no


    Don't you wish all problems were that easy (and cheap) to solve?


    Yup.
    At least you didn't have a TT where they put the 'wrong labels' above the valves. I watched a poor single lady with 3 kids fight that problem for hours. Couldn't understand why the black tank wouldn't drain. She was pulling on the wrongly labeled gray and that one was empty. :R
  • Have 2010 Dutchmen Denali Grey tank waste valve may need replacing as it is hard to open and close> Seems like valve may not be opening all the way as it drains slowly. Have tried to lube valve rod but did not seem to help.
    Also the belly is enclosed and valves are inside belly any way to locate the valves without dropping the belly.
  • dave14117 wrote:
    Never mind. It's a new trailer for us. We just realized there's a SECOND tank for gray; with its own drain (carefully hidden). Ok no


    Don't you wish all problems were that easy (and cheap) to solve?
  • Never mind. It's a new trailer for us. We just realized there's a SECOND tank for gray; with its own drain (carefully hidden). Ok no
  • Never mind. It's a new trailer for us. We just realized there's a SECOND tank for gray; with its own drain (carefully hidden). Ok no
  • Sink backing up...drain valve appears to work?

    Have you removed the 'P' trap under sink and check it/drain line for blockage?

    Otherwise.....drain valve maybe isn't working