Valve Stuck Open

I've never had a dump valve stick but the external valve others recommended is a good idea. Camping World (as well as some other RV parts suppliers) stock them.

Maybe mine haven't stuck because I add a valve lubricant to the black tank occasionally. The latest concoction was coconut oil based and it appears to work well.

rexabbot wrote:

rjsurfer wrote:
A great time to add a valve were you connect your slinky hose. It serves multiple purposes. One, it's and extra shut off valve that will keep all the bad stuff in place in case one of the shut off valves leak or gets frozen. Second, it can allow you to balance your tanks if one fills up way before the others this can buy you an extra day or two before you have to dump.

Ron W.

What about cross contamination of the tanks?

I assume if the grey tank has more in it than the black tank the pressure from the grey tank won't let th black mix with it.

Is that right?

Never have heard of such a thing. I think it would be a bad idea just based on the grey drain pipe size is 1 1/2 - 2".

rjsurfer wrote:
A great time to add a valve were you connect your slinky hose. It serves multiple purposes. One, it's and extra shut off valve that will keep all the bad stuff in place in case one of the shut off valves leak or gets frozen. Second, it can allow you to balance your tanks if one fills up way before the others this can buy you an extra day or two before you have to dump.

Ron W.

What about cross contamination of the tanks?

I assume if the grey tank has more in it than the black tank the pressure from the grey tank won't let th black mix with it.

Is that right?

Last summer 2000 miles from home, my black valve did the same as yours. I hammered it back in with a rubber mallet. Took it to a RV repair place. They said I needed new valves but would take 2 weeks to get the ones required for my tank.We would be on our way home by then. I had an end of line twist on valve already on. The repair place said they could open the valve and I could just use the end of line valve, which I did. I took the 5er into my dealer when I got home and they replaced the black water valve cable and one gray water valve cable as it was going bad also. I just used them for the 1st time while out camping a week or so ago and they worked fine. So before replacing your valves I would see if it just the cable and can you get just the cable or do you have to but the valve assembly as well.

I've never been a fan of the remote dump valve operators. I had a similar problem on our previous 5vr and it turned out that the grub screws that hold the cable came loose. I had to cut open the underbody cover to get access to the valve and repair it.

Luckily I have a twist on valve in place, so the stuck black water valve was a nuisance rather than a disaster. All is well now. Thank you all for the help.

weird - clicked once and got a double post. sorry!

Thanks for posting up that external valve - looks like I need to get one!

I recently had my black valve act up - would close easier than it would open. Remote style with the cable. I like the enclosed valves for how they're behind the insulation but not for how much work it takes to get to them.

I had to unscrew a few fasteners and pull down the "fabric" - then the bubble insulation - and there I could see the valve. Sprayed some teflon dry lube where the cable runs and then some grease on what looked like a "plunger" which actuated the valve.

Now it runs smoother, we'll see how long that lasts. 5er is a 2008, maybe I should get ready to replace that valve...

maybe check for warranty being a 12 model (depends when you purchased it and the warranty coverage).

Just wanted to say thanks. I never knew the twist on waste valve existed. That's my next purchase. I guess you never stop learning!