Leaky Black Water Valve - what are my options?

I would cut it off and re-plumb the valves. Buy the new standard size bayonet end piece and install new valves. The Valterra valves are about $15.00 each. You could do the whole project for under $50.00.

GlennLever wrote:
Replacing the valve is not that hard.

When you replace it I would think you would be able to find the new style fitting.

I know this is not the same vehicle but maybe this helps?

Replaced both the gray and black water gate blade valves.

That looks like polybutylene pipe in your RV. You might consider replacing it as it can get brittle.

Another search revealed that Thetford to Valterra adapters are plentiful. If I can rebuild that valve I'm golden!! Thanks again!

Thanks all!

It is indeed a Thetford valve. Says right on it.

Now that the black tank is drained (another long story) I can open the valve and see what's going on. The rubber seal is all deformed - it's toast. It appears as if the blade is plastic.

It would be cool if there was a Thetford-to-normal-bayonet adapter but I haven't been able to come up with one. Maybe hacking that one out is an option.

If I replace the valve with a newer style, I'd have to hack the elbow off at the tank, which might not be the end of the world if I could slip a new elbow over the remnants. I'll have to hack away all that foam insulation to see what I'm dealing with.

In the meantime, I'll look for a thetford rebuild kit. Might be the best short term solution.

Jimmy,

Dollars to donuts that is a Thetford valve. It should be held in place by 4 screws and be easily removed. Parts are available, but they are very proud of them. Don't order from Thetford unless you have a lot of time. They are real bad at shipping promptly - even when they already have your money. Just get to any good RV supplier and tell them you need the rebuild kit for a Thetford 3" valve. (Try Vintage Trailer) It will work unless that valve is old enough to be the stainless back side. I would doubt that. Unfortunately, all the newer valves use a different bolt spacing.

I do not believe that the T was a Thetford product. The mated flange is definitely not theirs. It is also not Valtera. That being the case, I don't think you have a lot of choice here. What I would do (fortunately, I don't have to), is get a Valtera or other common bayonet flange, then measure to see if it will fit on with the existing ears are removed. Then, carefully saw off the ears and glue the new flange over the old. This may require that you trim the OD of the remaining plastic. I don't know what tools you have available, so I hesitate to suggest a method.

Matt

Replacing the valve is not that hard.

When you replace it I would think you would be able to find the new style fitting.

I know this is not the same vehicle but maybe this helps?

Replaced both the gray and black water gate blade valves.

Can you take the old valve apart? What normally happens is some TP will get stuck in the groove and not allow the blade to fully close.

The Valve and the end cap is a "Thetford". Tiffin probably still have the Thetford valves and caps. Doug

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=thetford+valve&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=21986683404&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14049421454271705916&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_479fctbj4u_b