Forum Discussion

bluka43's avatar
bluka43
Explorer
Jan 26, 2016

Dump Valve Lubricant

I've recently replaced the slide valve seals on the black water tank. check for leaks and none seen. The valve seems to be a little harder to operate when no liquid is in the tank. I don't believe the bolts are too tight, because it worked fairly freely when I first put it back together. I'm thinking that I need to use a valve seal lubricant at this point. Any suggestions as to what to purchase to use?
Thanks
  • 3oaks's avatar
    3oaks
    Explorer
    Jan 26, 2016
    If the valve is located near the outlet where you can see it, spray the inside of the valve with silicone spay while working it open and closed.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jan 26, 2016
    bluka43 wrote:
    I've recently replaced the slide valve seals on the black water tank.
    You went to all that trouble and didn't replace the valve itself? A new valve would slide just fine.
  • mockturtle's avatar
    mockturtle
    Explorer II
    Jan 26, 2016
    I periodically clean and spray the extended valve stems with silicone lubricant. Seems to keep them working smoothly.
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Jan 26, 2016
    2oldman is right !!
    I will NEVER replace just the seals again I've done it twice, and just a waste of time and money.
    For whatever reason a new complete valve works so easy......unbelievable.
  • joelc's avatar
    joelc
    Explorer III
    Jan 26, 2016
    If it is just a lubricant you want you can get it anywhere. If you want a chemical that breaks down waste along with a lubricant, try Odorlos. I have used it for along time and love it. After I dump, I put some in the toilet and let it sit for awhile. It keeps my toilet seal and the valve well lubricated.
  • larry_barnhart's avatar
    larry_barnhart
    Explorer
    Jan 26, 2016
    When our black water valve becomes hard to pull and push I drain the tank and pour a gallon of vegetable oil down the toilet and wait for as long as I can and then pull and push as fast as possible as the oil drains though the valve. Has worked for every time.

    chevman
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    Jan 26, 2016
    The easiest way to lube the dumpvalves is to install a grease fitting on the top. When ever the handle gets hard to pull usually every other year I pump some grease in and it pulls out and in with ease. For some reason the black tank always gets harder to pull than the grey.
  • Traveler_II's avatar
    Traveler_II
    Explorer
    Jan 26, 2016
    I just use mineral oil, empty the tank and add about a cup once a month when we are on the road.
  • RLS7201's avatar
    RLS7201
    Explorer II
    Jan 27, 2016
    Gjac wrote:
    The easiest way to lube the dumpvalves is to install a grease fitting on the top. When ever the handle gets hard to pull usually every other year I pump some grease in and it pulls out and in with ease. For some reason the black tank always gets harder to pull than the grey.


    Ditto.. Been doing the same for over 20 years. Never replaced the whole valve, just the $2.00 seals.

    Richard

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