Black tank overflow !!!

[bob213]

Tank level indicators were all showing crazy amounts. Drained and flushed tank with built in rinser. Closed valve and let rinser wash out and fill tank. Drained.. Did this several times until water was running pure. One more time for good measure...;)
I got distracted setting up the Grandkids fishing poles and next thing I know I had water coming out of the vent pipe. It was clear but I had some water on the floor around the toilet. Opened valve but without the air vent it would not drain. Flushed toilet and it exploded in my face.:o Cleaned up water while tank drained.
Question is...did I do any damage to anything by letting the tank overfill and flow out the air vent?
Sad thing is..tank level indicator still not correct!

[wa8yxm]

One thing to do is go topside and remove the "Hat" from that vent pipe.

On my coach the pipe you see is about what, 2" (Standard size) the pipe itself is like 1 1/2 inch inside that pipe with lots of room for liquid to drain back down inside the wall if you pull a Robin Williams...

Of course, this rig, won't push water that high, overflows...elsewhere,,,first.

[Rvpapa]

To the O/P,
If you don't post pics it DID NOT HAPPEN
Please recreate problem and post full video. If using U tube audio would be ok. :B
Art.

[Drew_A_]

I had this happen years ago and the black tank dislodged from the supports due to the bulging that happened while it was overfilled.

I didn't notice right away, and the tank eventially cracked where the outlet pipe exits.

You might want to inspect it from underneath.

-Drew

[kroghville]

Tank level indicators are known for being un reliable. I basically ignore them and dump once a week. With just DW and me using the rig we have learned that we can go at least that long without filling any of the tanks. The fresh water tank level indicator is the only one I would trust. If the tank gets overfilled it just runs out the over flow onto the ground. No damage done.

[Harvey51]

I hate to admit it but we had the reverse experience last trip. After four days boon docking we still had lots of water in the freshwater tank so I didn't even worry about the black tank filling up. No dump site nearby. One more day. Noticed a bit of sewer smell outside on the driver.s side, thought it might be the neighbour but did put some odour control stuff in the toilet in case it was us. Headed for home. After an hour of driving and a couple more flushes, we stopped at an art gallery. I did the walk around and noticed the much stronger smell was with us . . . and a brown streak on the side downwind from the blank tank flush inlet. Definitely time for a dump!!

[Old-Biscuit]

austinjenna wrote:

OR, Yes I did and this solved it for good. Sometimes stuff gets stuck down there. Reach your arm down the hole as far as you can. When down to the max feel around for anything chunky. Grab it and squeeze it between your fingers until it gets smaller then dump some water in it (After you pull your arm out of coarse}. Do this once a month for regular maintenance. Wash your hands before cooking. I do have a self help video available. Hope this helps.

Umm...yah...that sounds like a good plan.... or maybe use a flusher and not stick your arm down a toilet to squeeze poo every month, but hey to each his own I guess.

That's 352s cure for any/all black tank issues...even overfilling one by accident.

[austinjenna]

OR, Yes I did and this solved it for good. Sometimes stuff gets stuck down there. Reach your arm down the hole as far as you can. When down to the max feel around for anything chunky. Grab it and squeeze it between your fingers until it gets smaller then dump some water in it (After you pull your arm out of coarse}. Do this once a month for regular maintenance. Wash your hands before cooking. I do have a self help video available. Hope this helps.

Umm...yah...that sounds like a good plan.... or maybe use a flusher and not stick your arm down a toilet to squeeze poo every month, but hey to each his own I guess.

[352]

OR, Yes I did and this solved it for good. Sometimes stuff gets stuck down there. Reach your arm down the hole as far as you can. When down to the max feel around for anything chunky. Grab it and squeeze it between your fingers until it gets smaller then dump some water in it (After you pull your arm out of coarse}. Do this once a month for regular maintenance. Wash your hands before cooking. I do have a self help video available. Hope this helps.

[ScottG]

To answer your actual question; no, it wont hurt anything for liquid to up the vent stack.

[Old-Biscuit]

Concerns when a tank has been overfilled like that....

Tank may have bulged which can cause splits, may have dislodged vent and/or toilet dump line connections at tank (some are glued to tank some use a grommet/gasket), may have weaken/loosened support straps.

[korbe]

Well I guess with water running out the top of the vent you could say you don't have any Black tank leaks. I sure wouldn't have guessed that no water would have flowed out with the vent full of water. I would have thought that the added pressure would have pushed the water out the drain.

[BB_TX]

Ron3rd wrote:
I use my tank flusher all the time but don't walk away while doing it.

Same here. I do it just before getting ready to leave. I stand right beside the pull handle and where I can see the clear extension. After fully drained and flush on, I close the black tank valve no longer than a couple of minutes then open it. Do that until the water comes out relatively clean, about 4-5 times. Lots of extra "stuff" comes out the first time or two.

[Ron3rd]

I use my tank flusher all the time but don't walk away while doing it.

[pappcam]

I use my built in black tank rinser once a year at the end of the camping season and I leave the valve open as I use it.