CarArt
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Joined 12 years ago
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Re: Gray tank plugged, limited options
Thank you all for the time and the advice. So I learned many think it's the valve despite the valve handle feeling just as it has for years. ? I know when my black tank valve broke, the knife blade from the cable rod, pulling on the cable went free, easily pulling in and out as nothing connected at the valve end. There wasn't. I too thought 4000psi was liking to cause damage so no, wasn't so much a consider but reaffirmed the "theory" of backwashing the plug loose and hoping it would break up enough to flow out with on the 40-70maybe psi of my garden hose. As I said, I'm in a park, disabled so other than taking my attached enclosed porch down, moving freezer, hiring a truck to come and tow me to an RV repair... it's last on the list. If I let 40 gals of gray water just flood out onto the ground. I'd be leaving permanently. Not happening. I've tried a snake and as noted I don't "think" it ever got around the bends to the valve. Scratch the snake. Ice has long been a solution for at least "cleaning" the tank some but again... you have to put in the ice and move around to agitate it. Pouring in ice standing still... nada. Cold greasy water. I realized not much can be done from inside. So, I'm going to crawl under after putting on my back brace, cut out the area where I believe the valve is located and see if the appears to be retracting/closing the knife blade or not. If it seems to be, I'll try forced water with the garden hose carefully to try and dislodge the plug, have someone watching under sink. Pushing against the water in the tank thats is full limits my optimism. But, If it moves and I get some outflow to lessen the amount of waste in the tank, I'll repeat till I get the surge or keep getting what I can out, maybe try some tank probiotics. All else fails... s... I'll get some containers at home depot(40 gal), loosen the valve and let it drain, see whats up there, replace the valve. One last question: from inside, I can get at the vent to the tank. I could get a pump to empty and insert the suction hose down thru the vent to the tank. I've tried to find a schematic of the plumbing system from Laredo but they said none available, acted like "why would we have such a thing" ?? Would one of you pros know if the vent tube goes directly into the top of the tank without bends?600Views0likes0CommentsRe: Gray tank plugged, limited options
it's difficult to determine as this gray tank is not near the main sewer exit. All 3 come out as one and this tank is(again my underbody of RV is covered) maybe 6-8ft feet from exit. I'l again try a snake, then the hose water preesure and report back. I know it seems like a bad valve but just seeing if anyone has tried water pressure or thoughts on it.382Views0likes0CommentsRe: Gray tank plugged, limited options
thanks guys. Appreciate all the suggestions even if looking for your thoughts on using water pressure to remove the clog with backwashing. I'll let you all know if my theory works or I'm sleeping with the sweet smell of gray water awash on my ceiling and floor. If the valve not opening, not a problem anyway. Still clogged.382Views0likes0CommentsRe: Gray tank plugged, limited options
yes, that's something I saw and affirmed the idea. It is possible but has the draw backs mentioned above. The fact my tank is full now is a problem and could easily cause a mess inside mentioned. Even if 3/4 full I could give it a shot of water for a few seconds knowing that wouldnt fill it but maybe enough to loosen the clog.382Views0likes0CommentsRe: Gray tank plugged, limited options
anyone got any thoughts about my using a hose to backwash the plug? I saw one youtube video where no a guy did something similar, swore by the results and it was simply lifting his sewer hose and "forcing" the water to run back into the "plugged tank". My thought was that might work if my gray tank wasn't full but the weight of the water in it would likely prevent any "backwash" effect. Any thoughts on my idea?140Views0likes0CommentsRe: Gray tank plugged, limited options
1. not a new RV. yes, it's drained fine till last week. 10 yrs I've owned it. 2.pretty sure it opens, drained VERY Slowly for a few days then stopped. The valve pull feels the same. 3.no, wipe greasy stuff with paper towels first, almost always put soap in any water containing grease to break it up. I installed a dish washer but still the same process of cleaning. But, although my RV is in great shape, it's a 2005 and I've had it since 2008. So... I'm from Pontiac, born, raised in West Bloomfield. Appreciate any help.143Views0likes0Comments
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