Black Tank Valve Stuck

[gordo]

Went out for the first time this year. Went to drain tanks prior to coming home, and the black tank handle will not budge..Used both hands, and actually shook the trailer, but no luck. No movement at all.

I don't know where to start. I'm not looking forward to this job, but I need to dump.
Anyone know how to, or where to located and access the valves???

thanks in advance for any help

[Gary-Alberta]

I had a similar problem in January. I locked a pair of vise grip pliers onto the pull cable and worked at twisting the cable back and forth. Slowly at first then a little more vigourously. It actually loosened and I was able to eae the handle out. Applied WD40 to the cable, pulling it out, pushing it back in and cleaning and lubricating each time. It works like a charm again. I think it just got wet and a little rusty when I was winterizing.
At least it's worth s try before you start ripping and tearing.

[Carl n Susan]

The black tank runs longitudinally in the dropped frame area on your 2018 3130. Look and the pipe from the toilet to see if the tank is on the driver or passenger side. Drop the coroplast at the rear of the drop frame area and the valves are right there. You can disconnect the cable from the valve and then open the valve with a pair of pliers. This assumes the problem is a frozen cable. If it is a frozen valve then you are part way on the path to repair.

[RoadRunnerTR21]

We had the same situation last month. After 3 days at our RV site I went out to drain the black tank and I could not budge the black tank handle. I called 2 mobile techs before one agreed to come to the RV park. He simply disconnected the cable from the valve and manually opened the valve. When I got home I replaced the cable and the valve with a new Valterra cable and valve. It's all good now.

[gordo]

Originally Posted by carl n susan

The black tank runs longitudinally in the dropped frame area on your 2008 3130. Look and the pipe from the toilet to see if the tank is on the driver or passenger side. Drop the coroplast at the rear of the drop frame area and the valves are right there. You can disconnect the cable from the valve and then open the valve with a pair of pliers. This assumes the problem is a frozen cable. If it is a frozen valve then you are part way on the path to repair.

How does the coraplas come off. The fasteners look like "redheads" . Not really nuts, more like rivets. Checked my cousins rig, 3/8 screws....

I sure miss my 04 Montana

[JEROME]

Ihave a 2019 3720RL what can I do so I will never be faced with this problem? Thanks Jerome&Judy

[Theunz]

Jerome, your best defense is to replace the worthless OEM valves with Valterra valves and cables at your convenience. The Valterra valve uses a solid cable unlike the OEM stranded cable. A stranded cable is fine for pulling, but not so much for pushing, as when it meets some resistance it tends to unwind the cable, think Chinese finger trap. Sometimes it helps to also use a longer cable in order to achieve a more gentle bend.

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by gordo

How does the coraplas come off. The fasteners look like "redheads" . Not really nuts, more like rivets. Checked my cousins rig, 3/8 screws....

I sure miss my 04 Montana

There are threads here which instruct how to remove the nails. Then use Tex-screws (self tapping) with fender washers when replacing.

[ReneT]

I always hated those cable operated valves. Seems like I could never get them to shut all the way. I went out and purchased 3 new standard valves, and ran a valve extension rod right through the frame for all 3. Now the black tank handle is right next to the stairs.

[Ram Montana High Country]

guess we should add valve function before trip and annual lube with something besides wd40 - IMHO

[gordo]

Thanks Carl, if the vise grips and wd40 don't work, I'll be looking

[gordo]

Thanks to all, and trust me the more replies, the better for me ....

[shurst]

Take a Phillip's head screw driver insert it in the screw on the handle then take a hammer and give it a wack. It's worked twice for me

[twindman]

As I have posted elsewhere, I upgraded to Valtera valve and cable. Before, it took a strong grip and hard pull to open or shut the drain. After the new one, two fingers to open! Definitely good thing. Oh, this was only the black tank. I think it has a longer cable than the gray. My gray is relatively easy to operate - not as good as the new one tho.

[RKassl]

Originally Posted by ReneT

I always hated those cable operated valves. Seems like I could never get them to shut all the way. I went out and purchased 3 new standard valves, and ran a valve extension rod right through the frame for all 3. Now the black tank handle is right next to the stairs.

On our 2015 3440 both gray and black cables failed at least 4 times, the dealer removed the cable and gave us a straight rod on each side of the frame for both black and gray tanks. Never had a problem since, the cable system for valve operation is an absolute joke!

[whiterose]

Had the stuck pull handle / rod problem on a previous camper, dealer used brute force to free it, then applied ‘anti-seize’ to the rod and worked it in.

Never had a repeat of the problem.

When getting the new 3791RD, first thing I did was add the ‘anti-seize’, no point waiting for a known problem to occur.

[gordo]

Thanks to all for the advice.
I used the vise grip wiggle, and it came loose. The rod was kind of rusty, so a little scrubbing with mild sand paper, and a good shot of gun oil, seems to be good.

I still am trying to find how to access the back side of the convenience center to clean and lube the back of the cable. i guess I'll go exploring this weekend..

I really like the anti seize idea....Thanks again

[Sandra_David]

In order to get access to the valves you need to drop the coraplast by popping out the steel nails then roll the plastic back gentely so you can put back in place. Use 3/8 self-tapping screws with washers to secure it up when done

[scottz]

If your unit is like mine, the problem is the valve handles are below the water connections. Any dripping water hits the valve handle and causes corrosion. Mine seized up the first year. After that I keep the handle shaft lubed and no problems.

[zwma6@aol.com]

u need to always keep in mind that WD40 has alcohol in it...…..that's not good because it's very drying. anyone know the BEST product to use......I m a gearhead so I have a lotta brands.