I will spare everyone the #*%*ty details but suffice it to say a clog forced me to close the gate valve on the black water tank when the line was full. Now I am guessing there is toilet paper stuck in the valve since I can't completely close the valve and its leaking. Anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this. I can't directly access the inside of the valve to clean it out since its on the other side of a tee. Clearly I am hoping I won't have to completely disassemble the piping to fix this.Any thoughts would be appreciated.

One of those caps with garden hose thread and a double female adaptor and back flush with a garden hose???(hopefully you are not brim-full, of course)The only other thing that comes to mind is an old fashioned plumber snake and some sort of pasture or huge lawn where mother nature can take care of things without impacting a homestead...

one thought that comes to mind is to completely empty the tank, flush it out a few times with water hose filling up the tank each time to get the most flow through the valve. If that doesnt clear it the trash out then try running the hose up from the bottom.. By this time the tank should be fairly clean. Maybe a direct stream on the trash might move it. Of course I would wear rubber gloves once the bottom route is taken if needed. Stand back as you may get some other trash out too unexpectedly.

flush and work the valve x 1000. If you have a valve on the end load it with chemical and let it dissolve a few days then see top advise. Good luck!Let me know how you make out.

This is probably my first post recommending a Flush King as I think they are potentially extremely wasteful of potable water. But in your situation this might work.LinkHook the flush king onto you dump outlet, attach a garden hose and a sewer hose. Leave the Flush King valve open and open the original black drain tank. Let the tank drain. Now turn on the garden hose and close the Flush King valve but leave the original valve open. This will flow water back into the tank and hopefully dislodge the obstruction. Fill the tank about half way and then open the Flush King to drain the tank again. If you can't get the plug cleared after a few fill/drain cycles, at least your tank will be fairly clean for the ensuing dis-assembly of the original valve.

Here is another thought, I have a leaky tank valve I believe is the black tank. To replace it means dropping the plastic first. Not something that thrills me to spend a weekend doing, so I picked up from CW a valve that twists on the end of the pipe. It wasn't too costly, works so good it.may be next year before I bet motivated to fis the problem.

Help needed with black water gate valve. | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

steelpony5555
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
Ok now I understand your problem. You evidently have either cable or long rod pulls. Seems this type of set up usually ends up leaking. My last rig had the same set up and when I popped the end cap I was usually greeted with a cup or two of stink. I went out and got one of these
safety valve lol

Found out a lot of people have done the same since it is a problem with the cable type pulls. It has the flush inlet too so if there is something blocking the valve it may help to reverse flush your line. Now once you have one you do have to remember to open it when you are parked...lol lol I kinda of forget I have that one.

Or I seen an ad for a flexible tank cleaning wand. It looks just like the 3 ft tank wand but it is flexible. It just might work, I might get one to have and help in cleaning my tank.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jul 03, 2013
You said you tried filling the tank again and dumping it. So it IS emptying completely? If so, try filling and dumping multiple times using the regular dump hose, not the macerator. You'll get a faster, more forceful "swish" of water that way. If that doesn't work after a few fills and emptying, sorry, but you'll have to disassemble it. Using a chemical won't dissolve the toilet paper that is caught in your connection assembly. Then, while you're at it, just replace with a new assembly rather than trying to clean. They do wear after a time. Good luck!
opnspaces
Navigator II
Jul 03, 2013
It kind of sounds like you're getting close to running out of options.
You could buy and twist on a gate valve at the outlet. Valve Put one of these on and just leave the original valve open.

Everything else I can think of to remove the clog will make a bigger mess than just removing the valve. Is the plumbing and valve exposed to the bottom, or would you have to start disassembling pieces of the coach?

If it's exposed, use your levelers and tilt the RV so that everything runs out the valve. Let it drain for 10 - 20 minutes. New reverse the levelers so that anything left in the tank will flow away from the valve. Let it settle for another 10 minutes.

Get some disposable gloves (I like the Costco Nitrile gloves) gloves

Also you might want to get a rebuild kit Valve parts

Pull the four 3/8 inch bolts on the valve and carefully pull it apart. Make sure your arm isn't under any drip zone. There will be a drip but it should be only a few drops.

With the valve apart take the valve out from underneath and clean it up. Install the new seals and bolt the valve back to the plumbing.
gary_and_ellen
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
Getting to the valve is more of the issue. I have to remove the pannels that enclose the undercarriage. Not impossible just a royal pain. Looking for the easy route if I can find one.
steelpony5555
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
oops double post
steelpony5555
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
Dump tank and take off valve and clean.....not a hard job when the tank is empty, it's a lot harder when the valve won't open.....you usually have 30+ gallons of poopie water just waiting to explode into your lap. Don't ask, been there done that.....it's not a pretty picture. But really it's 4 bolts and it all comes apart....
gary_and_ellen
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
Choice of toilet paper wasn't the issue. I was using a maceration pump but failed to have enough water in the tank. I know better but just had a head anus interchange moment. Everything got jammed up so my choice was close the valve or wear the contents of my black water tank. Now I am paying for that decision.
John_Joey
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
For my own knowledge, what TP are you using that caused such a clog?? I had the same issue using the new stronger angel soft down along the Tex/Mex border.

You may have forced that TP into the slot and a flush king is not going to get that out. I had luck with using the flush king and pushing the handle in and out multiple times. Once the tank is full open all the valves and do the handle thing again as it drains. Between the flow of water and the smashing action it knocked the wad out of the slot.
gary_and_ellen
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
No unfortunately it's paper. I had a clog in the dump hose and it forced me to close the valve to unjam it. The hose/valve was full at that point. Must have pushed the paper into the place where the gate goes into. I am trying real hard to avoid disassembling it as it will be a major job.
trb46
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
Gary...have you by any chance been using "flushable wipes"? I did once and they got caught in the gate; like to never get them out.