Grey/Black Dump Valves - proactive replacement?

[tkcas01]

From time to time I see posts where forum members suggest a problem the poster is having dumping tanks is that the pull rod has separated from the valve blade. Clearly this type of problem will typically happen at the worst possible time - when the tanks are in need of being dumped!

Replacing the valves would be one thing best done at a time of one's choosing. As a rig ages, is there any reason to consider putting in new flush valves as a preventative measure? Mine have had 9 years of constant use full-timing, but no real sign of trouble.

Part of me thinks, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," could just lead to more problems. My parents' rig went for over 20 years without them failing, but they did not use theirs as much as I do.

[TechWriter]

tkcas01 wrote:
Mine have had 9 years of constant use full-timing, but no real sign of trouble.

Part of me thinks, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," could just lead to more problems. My parents' rig went for over 20 years without them failing, but they did not use theirs as much as I do.

My vote is for preventive maintenance -- replace them.

My black tank valve was getting hard to open so I replaced it along with the gray tank valve.

Much easier to replace when tanks are empty until waiting for valves to fail with full tanks.

[Cobra21]

They may last longer with regular use rather than sitting idle for years.

Brian

[dave17352]

i think you got it right "if it ain't broke don't fix it"

[jim1632]

My rod separated from the gray valve at one point. There was still enough of the valve stem protruding from the gray valve to crawl under and pull it with pliers.

I found that the rods used on valves do not seem to be very strongly attached to the stem. Over time the force of pulling the rod can lead to separation. So -- frequent lubrication can alleviate the force used and presumably extend rod life. Second, separation may be at worst point but the failure is not catastrophic in my experience.

Crawl under and carefully investigate how your system works to determine what might happen in a separation. You will probably have to do some re-engineering on the rods if you really want to avoid the risk of failure.