We just picked up an older trailer. It's a 97 model. While going thru it, I disinfected the water system with the added bleach approach.Last night, I went to drain the fresh water tank. The drain valve is accessed by removing the dinette seat board. The valve is attached directly to the bottom of the tank with a hose extending thru the floor. The valve is a molded white plastic with a L shaped turn handle.Trying to turn the valve, I was sure I was about to break the handle off. It's real hard to turn. I only got it to turn about 90* before I stopped in fear of busting the handle right off. The water is just barely dripping from the discharge hose.So, it will drain eventually, but I want it to work right. Short of lifting the tank and putting a new valve in, is there any fresh water safe lube I could apply that will get into the valve, free it up, and not degrade the plastic? I considered a spray silicone, but if it gets into the valve, but would it probably get into the water tank also?Thanks, Sam

see if the valve can be taken apart . most liklely not, see if its threaded on? or enough room to cut off glue new one on. I might be a quarter turn valve only goes a quarter of the way , put the garden hose on it blow backwards. ok just some things to try. good luck.

Not sure if it the best route to go but you can buy food grade silicone spray. LinkyI would not put any petroleum based lube products on it.

plumbers grease. Available at any home center.

I had the same problem.New valve was $3.50 on ebay. Special lubricant probably cost as much.

Joe417 wrote:I had the same problem.New valve was $3.50 on ebay. Special lubricant probably cost as much.That's probably what I'll end up doing. Biggest concern is to remove and replace the drain valve, I have to pull the tank.... which might end up with a leak from the fill and supply connections when reinstalling. hate to disturb any connections that aren't leaking on a 19 year old trailer....I was hoping there was a way to fix it without pulling the tank.Sam

Lube a fresh water drain valve? | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

ernie1
Explorer
May 30, 2015
If you use plumbers grease, make darn sure it's silicone and not petroleum based. I've seen them sold both ways.
John_Joey
Explorer
May 30, 2015
desertmoose wrote:
I considered a spray silicone, but if it gets into the valve, but would it probably get into the water tank also?

Thanks, Sam

That's what I do. If it could get into the water then you would have a leaky drain since water would be coming out the same way the silicone would get in.

The real answer is if you can take the drain apart after a little silicone, then use some plumbers grease on the O ring.
bucky
Explorer II
May 30, 2015
Great thinking on the olive oil.
desertmoose
Explorer
May 27, 2015
Well, when I got home, there stil was over a half tank of bleach water.
Got a small paint brush and a bit of olive oil. Painted around the joint on the valve several times. then carefully worked it back and forth on the 90* arc it would turn. Then suddenly it gave a pop and went further. I ended up being able to open it 180* to full drain.

Not sure how long it will work before the olive oil gets gummy and sticks it together again, but at least it's working while I get the rest of the trailer going.

Sam
midnightsadie
Explorer II
May 26, 2015
just for fun apply a little heat .
desertmoose
Explorer
May 26, 2015
mrgreetis wrote:
If you are able to get it open could you just put a separate valve on the drain hose end? Or even a cap? Then you wouldn't need to mess with the tank plumbing.

Mike

Good idea. I'll take a look at the hose tonight. Then pray I can get it open without snapping the handle off at a not open or closed position.....

Of course, that would answer the question of pulling the tank or not.

Sam
mrgreetis
Explorer
May 26, 2015
If you are able to get it open could you just put a separate valve on the drain hose end? Or even a cap? Then you wouldn't need to mess with the tank plumbing.

Mike
desertmoose
Explorer
May 26, 2015
Joe417 wrote:
I had the same problem.

New valve was $3.50 on ebay. Special lubricant probably cost as much.

That's probably what I'll end up doing. Biggest concern is to remove and replace the drain valve, I have to pull the tank.... which might end up with a leak from the fill and supply connections when reinstalling.

hate to disturb any connections that aren't leaking on a 19 year old trailer....

I was hoping there was a way to fix it without pulling the tank.

Sam
Joe417
Explorer
May 26, 2015
I had the same problem.

New valve was $3.50 on ebay. Special lubricant probably cost as much.
joshuajim
Explorer II
May 26, 2015
plumbers grease. Available at any home center.