Cannot open grey or black tank

[samsontdog]

A Lady rented one of my RV Sites yesterday here in Yuma and when she tried to empty her tanks the handle that you pull out would not budge. I tried pulling each handle and I could not pull it open. I called a friend and he tried and could not open either one. I called another friend and he could not get either one to open. The Lady just arrived here two weeks ago and a drunk driver hit her p/up and totaled it. No insurance by either her or the drunk driver. She had PLPD only. She is 60 and very little money. Every thing from the handle back is built in or covered, not easy to get to. Anyone have any suggestions how to get the handles to move as they should? She needs help as she does not know anyone here as does not have transportation or very little money as she just got out of an abusive relation

[Lynnmor]

You need to expose the valves by removing any covers. Once you have access, try loosening the four screws in each valve and then operating the valves. Keep a bucket under the valves and expect some leakage. If the tanks can now be drained, then flush with plain water followed by removing the screws and replacing the seals.

[samsontdog]

Thank you all, I will pass the info on.

The first person I called yesterday was a plumber who tried for an hour which I paid for.

He tried drilling a hole etc.

The caps were off. I really feel sorry for the lady plus she has broken ribs,
no transportation, very little money, and Christmas time. My wife called Helping Hands but they are off until Jan 4th

[LadyRVer]

I use silicone spray on my rods... might try to use the drill method above to get some in... maybe if some can be sprayed in next to the gate, that might start it?

[SDcampowneroper]

Watching Theres more than posted trouble going on.. Maybe the wreck?

[kellem]

It's obvious the valves have not been open in quite some time and hidden valves with a turn are very hard to lube.

Try running hot dish water down each tank and try again then try taking a peice of rebarb or similar to push on flap, they give slightly laterally so escaped fluids will serve as lubrication.....yes it can get messy.

[CA_Traveler]

Since it's chilly how about a little heat? Or lightly tap the valve while pulling on the handle?

[wopachop]

MarkTwain wrote:


Call a plumber.

Way to go!! The guy said twice the lady is low on cash. Telling him to call a plumber doesnt help.

To the OP, what about getting a plastic safe lubricant spray? Might be able to spray the front of the valves.

Another trick i saw on youtube was to drill into the plastic, right above the handle. You then spray lube into that hollow section using the small red straw.

[QCMan]

Is the cap on or off? Maybe they are already open if the cover is still on or if she is hooked up then they just may be open. Using the built in level indicators can lead to false assumptions. Even stuck ones usually get a little movement.

[MarkTwain]

samsontdog wrote:
A Lady rented one of my RV Sites yesterday here in Yuma and when she tried to empty her tanks the handle that you pull out would not budge. I tried pulling each handle and I could not pull it open. I called a friend and he tried and could not open either one. I called another friend and he could not get either one to open. The Lady just arrived here two weeks ago and a drunk driver hit her p/up and totaled it. No insurance by either her or the drunk driver. She had PLPD only. She is 60 and very little money. Every thing from the handle back is built in or covered, not easy to get to. Anyone have any suggestions how to get the handles to move as they should? She needs help as she does not know anyone here as does not have transportation or very little money as she just got out of an abusive relation

Call a plumber.