Forum Discussion

4x4FF's avatar
4x4FF
Explorer
Apr 19, 2015

Grey tank valve cable snapped

Last November we went camping for a few days and my grey tank valve cable snapped with the valve in the closed position. When I opened it I couldn't tell it had snapped. Remember I said it was NOVEMBER as in COLD outside. Anyway I found out it didn't open in the morning because I had let water trickle all night....yeah....Had quite an experience.

Anyway.....to the point of my question. The valve handle is obviously on the Drivers side pretty close to the sewer outlet. The valve is actually located on the other side almost under the main Entry door. It's probably an 84" cable...might be 72" though. I do have a sealed under belly and had to cut a small flap to get the valve open when it stuck closed (Remember I said it was November.....about 20 degrees if I remember right....lol). Trying not to have to cut the entire under belly and hoping somebody has a gee-wiz kinda idea. I thought of unhooking it at the valve and taping a string to it but not sure how it would pull.

What's your thoughts guys?....I'm looking for suggestions.

Thanks,

Steve
  • Dtank's avatar
    Dtank
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2015
    Dave and Sue wrote:
    The cables are really almost impossible to break


    It really sounds to me that the OP has a slipped cable.
    Meaning it has come out of the valve.

    I would cut the under belly as needed or just take that panel out for full access.

    They are not hard to replace,just hard to get to.Good luck


    Agree with "slipped cable".

    Replacing the cable sheath into the housing & set screws on the cable at/to the existing valve isn't too bad.

    Same for replacing the cable assembly - leaving the existing valve in place.

    However, for replacing the entire valve, it *can* be hard to get to *AND* hard to replace - depending on the location of the piping...:(

    .
  • Dave_and_Sue's avatar
    Dave_and_Sue
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2015
    The cables are really almost impossible to break


    I thought that too until my black tank cable broke on my Bristol black tank valve.Didn't know it until I removed cap to hook up hose.YECK is all i can say on the forum.It really sounds to me that the OP has a slipped cable.Meaning it has come out of the valve.I would cut the under belly as needed or just take that panel out for full access.They are not hard to replace,just hard to get to.Good luck
  • Pipeman's avatar
    Pipeman
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2015
    4x4FF, I had my trailer mechanic replace the cable with a rod. My valves are facing the same way as yours. It doesn't make sense that the valves are facing the passenger side instead of the driver side of the trailer. He was able to rotate the gray water valve and attached a rod. Works much better. He said the black water valve is facing the passenger side also but I had that cable replaced a couple of years ago with a new cable. If it acts up again it will be replaced by a rod and the valve will likely be replaced and rotated to face the driver side.
  • Dtank's avatar
    Dtank
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2015
    Look at a Valterra cable operated valve at an RV parts supply,
    or on the internet (Amazon carries them).
    Helps to see how it operates - and the cable connection.

    "Old Biscuit" posted some pics of the various valves on this thread -

    Scroll down on Page 2


    The cable *may* have pulled out of the connection at the valve.
    Or - the cable may have kinked inside the sheath.
    (The cables are really almost impossible to break)

    Suggest buying a replacement cable and sheath.....
    However, just buy a complete assembly in case your valve is broken.
    Not that expensive - and you have everything you need.

    BTW - try the cable replacement *first* rather than replacing the
    entire valve - 'cause (I can vouch for) replacing the valve is a "PITA"...:(

    .
  • 4x4FF's avatar
    4x4FF
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2015
    When I pull the handle it stops like normal but can verify it doesn't open the grey tank. I assumed there is a 'limit' built into the handle. In other words, when I pull the handle it pulls out about 5-6" and stops as normal. How do I remove the cable from sheath??

    Steve
  • Bob_Olallawa's avatar
    Bob_Olallawa
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2015
    I fixed mine by removing the inside wire and ran a replacement wire through the existing sheath
  • bushman512003's avatar
    bushman512003
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2015
    Just replace the cable.. I would think it was frozen. My bet is any other fix would be a pain You think the cable broke but it may be the plastic let go where the cable hooks on to the valve Good luck Bushman:B

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