Update Trouble of the Worst Kind.Black Tank Won't Empty Help

[allen8106]

For the latest see page 3 of this thread.Ok all you camper experts out there I need your help in the worst way. I have a 2010 Jayco 31.5 RLDS that I bought new in March 2011. We have used it profusely since we bought it as you can tell by my sig without any issues other than a couple propane pigtails that malfunctioned. On Thursday October 30th we went to the lake, there was no fresh water available because the water had been turned off for the winter. No problem…I had recently sanitized my fresh water tank so we found a spigot with water and filled up the on board tank and stayed through Sunday. At the last minute we decided to leave the camper and come back the following week. My wife went back out Wednesday and I went back out Thursday after returning from work related travel. We stayed until today using the on board fresh water tank the whole time so roughly 7-8 days total. When we left the park today I knew there was no water at the dump stations to rinse the tanks with but figured I could rinse out at home since we live in the country and I have three clean outs between the house and the lagoon. When I dumped I could tell the black tank did not empty completely. I confirmed this by shining a light down the toilet. It looked like it was about ¾ full yet nothing would come out of the dump pipe. I went to a water spigot and added more water and tried to dump again. No go…..No problem me thinks, I’ll dump at home where I can hook a water hose to the rinse fitting. So I drive 30 miles home with a full black tank pull the camper up to the clean out and proceed to dump/rinse like I would at the lake. Again…nothing would come out. I unhooked the water hose from the rinse fitting and stuffed it at least 6-8 feet into the dump pipe and still couldn’t get anything to come out. I thought maybe the valve wasn’t opening so I pushed the valve closed and stuffed the hose into the pipe until it hit the valve, opened the valve and the hose went about 2-3 feet further. I would think this is telling me the valve is opening like it should but I still can’t get anything to come out other than the fresh water I am putting up the dump pipe with the hose. When you shine a light into the toilet you can see the sewage so I know it’s there. It’s still about ¾ full with plenty of water but for the life of me I can’t get it to drain. I even pushed and hand held drain snake up the pipe about ten feet and still can’t get it to drain. I pulled the underbelly cover off to see if the valve was opening. It appears that it is so I’m stumped.

By the way...As a side note our 23 year old daughter stayed with us most of those days. I don't think she would put anything she shouldn't in the toilet but I haven't had a chance to ask her yet. My wife assures me she hasn't put anything in it she shouldn't

Any suggestions from you experts?

[SeaDog_BRR]

When you left the unit for that week it may have had the poop crust up and make a seal across the tank. Take a pressure washer, try first with the toilet in place and the wand down into the poo if that doesn't work pull the toilet like someone else said and give that a try.

[RJsfishin]

This didn't just happen, Sounds like it has been building up,.....maybe since new, draining off nothing but the water, while the solid was building up, and getting dryer all the time to where it is now a solid block. You need to just slowly break it up w/ a full flow water hose, from the bottom first, and if no good, do it from the top. One thing about it, if you are the normal, you'll get it, one way or another, and you'll never let it happen again.
I had it happen once in 45 yrs.

[allen8106]

When I look in the toilet all I see is liquid. I have a hose end sprayer wand I think I'll put down the toilet tomorrow.

[Oaklevel]

Probably too much poo & paper and not enough water...... They make a power wand flusher that attaches to the garden hose to give pressure that might help.

[allen8106]

FYI, it has a factory "internal flush sprinkler" in it.

[Bionic_Man]

Is what you are seeing in the holding tank liquid or solid? If solid, you have the "pyramid of poo". I had that a few years back. Removed the toilet, used one of those sewer snakes to break up some of it, then used Rid-x in the tank to take out the build up.

If it is liquid you are seeing, I would think that despite what you have done, the valve is not opening, or something (feminine hygiene product) is blocking the drain.

Good luck.

[free_radical]

Seems like sludge built up,,I'd try blasting it clean with pressure washer

[Oasisbob]

I feel your pain. Might be a good time to install an internal flush sprinkler. Has always kept out tank clean. If it were me I might consider one of those sewer caps with the hose fitting and some warm water through it. Stand by as there are many people here who are smarter than I. Best of luck

[newman_fulltime]

you are seeing a poo pyramid get the hose put it down the toilet and see if you can break it loose.