Forum Discussion

Ivylog's avatar
Ivylog
Explorer III
Oct 04, 2016

Black tank flush stopped working

I use the blank tank flush about every other dump partly to put 5+ gallons water in the tank so it sloshes around when driving. Couple days ago it would not put any water in the tank so I put 100 psi of air on the hose and still nothing.:(

Fortunately my grey and black tanks are on the same level and unfortunately the same size (what were they thinking) but this lets me transfer grey water to the black when the grey gets full. By leaving the cap on and opening both valves until I can no longer hear water moving I can shift 20+ gallons of grey to the black.
So, yesterday after dumping only the black I put the cap on and opened both valves putting 20 gallons of grey in the black. Drove 100+ miles on curvy back roads and when I hooked up at the next CG... SUCCESS, the black flush works again.:B

Maybe this will work for you if you have this problem.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Between the crimped water line and no silicone seal to reseal after removing the wand while on the road I decided the sloshing water might work. This is the first time in 12 years that it has not worked. Drilling larger holes will be put on the need to do list. Hopefully I can unscrew the water line from the wand after removing the three screws which are easy to get to.
    The flush has it own separate water line.
  • The holes in the flush head are way too small and will eventually clog. You need to remove the flusher from the tank and enlarge the holes to 3/32 or slightly larger.
  • rgatijnet1 wrote:
    Mine got plugged also and I ran an electrical snake through it to clear it out. An electrical snake is smaller than a plumbing snake which is used to clean out drains.
    Thanks for the info! I wasn't aware of that!
  • naturist wrote:
    Careful there with that air pressure. 100 psi on water lines can cause burst pipes. The plumbing in my TT is rated only 80 psi. Yours is evidently stronger, but still . . . .


    He is not putting any pressure on the RV's water lines, I am pretty sure. There should be a dedicated line that runs to the black tank flush.
  • ON my coach when that happened I opened the hidden door to the black tank compartment and removed the tank flush wand from the top of the tank (three screws). The spray holes had plugged up with toilet paper so no water could pass. I used a drill bit to clean and enlarge the holes just a little more then cleaned everything up and re assembled. I have had to do this twice now in the last 7 or eight years.
  • Mine got plugged also and I ran an electrical snake through it to clear it out. An electrical snake is smaller than a plumbing snake which is used to clean out drains.
  • Careful there with that air pressure. 100 psi on water lines can cause burst pipes. The plumbing in my TT is rated only 80 psi. Yours is evidently stronger, but still . . . .