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10-29-2015, 05:30 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Elgin
Posts: 262
M.O.C. #11570
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BLACK TANK VALVE PROBLEM
Since we've had this Monty the dump valves on the black tank & one gray tank have been hard to open & close. But now they are really getting difficult to open/close.
I use Calgon liquid in the black tank but does not seem to be helping much. I do not look forward to changing the valve(s). Any help on correcting this problem is appreciated.
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10-29-2015, 07:09 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,697
M.O.C. #12947
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I have been using Calgon liquid in addition to Power Blue treatment. When the black tank valve started getting tight, I began using 4 oz of Thetford valve lube each time I drained the tank, along with the other things above. It seems to help. I also see that Odorlos tank treatment says on it's package that it lubricates the valves also. I have yet to try that, but it might work.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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10-30-2015, 04:52 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Pensacola (mail forward service)
Posts: 3,198
M.O.C. #13740
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Lubing the cables with spray silicone works wonders. Remove t handle. Take wall off side of convenience center, remove nut holding cable in place, pull out cable and elevate, spray lots of lube in it. I also put a tube over the end of the cable so I can fill the tube and see it drain down inside the cable. Put back together and pull cable a few times to loosen any crap in the cable. John
__________________
2012 F350 6.7 L dually, 2013 3800RE with 6 pt leveling, Sumitomo 17.5" load range h tires, Samsung 18 cu ft residential fridge, 8k Morryde I.S. with disc brakes. Full timing since 2012.
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10-31-2015, 03:48 AM
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#4
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Glendale
Posts: 192
M.O.C. #13649
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Replacing my 3rd black tank valve and cable as we speak. My extended warranty is covering it. I put valve lube in the tank, calgon, seems to work for a while. Very frustrating when on a trip, and going to dump, and wondering if the valve will open or not. Happened to us this summer.
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04-12-2017, 02:27 PM
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#5
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New Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Trenton
Posts: 2
M.O.C. #19682
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Both grey and black were frozen on my 12 Montana when I bought it, vegetable oil and hot water 2 gals black tank and 1 gal in grey. Hottest water I could get, let it sit for 5 mins, once they moved I kept opening and closing and they both really freed up. The black also quit leaking, which was why I looked at them before my first trip.
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04-12-2017, 03:28 PM
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#6
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Menifee
Posts: 73
M.O.C. #19585
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Black Tank Valve
Larry,
I had a similar problem, and my dealer service department took the whole system apart and found ABS shavings in the seal. Just an idea, it might be causing a difficult opening and closing of the valve.
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04-12-2017, 06:47 PM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Medford
Posts: 498
M.O.C. #18546
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Get a twist-on valve from Camper World or Amazon, about $20. And a clear elbow for about the same. Elbow allows you to be sure tanks are completely drained. After you dump the black tank, close the twist-on valve, but keep the black valve open. Then open the kitchen grey-water valve for about 15 seconds and close it. This allows kitchen waste water (mostly clean with lots of detergent) to flow into the black tank. Now open the twist-on valve. You will see grey water first, then lots of brown water. Repeat this process several times. Then do the same thing using the bathroom sink/shower grey water tank. Finish up with the tank flush. Save enough bathroom grey water to flush out the sewer hose. And be sure all the valves are closed before you leave! This is the best way I have found to clear the maximum amount of gunk out of the black tank. I complete the process with chlorox-calgon-laundry detergent (about 1/2 cup to 1 full cup each) with a couple gallons of fresh water. This mix will slosh around when you drive and help wash-down the walls of the tank.
The side benefit of the twist-on valve is no more "leakage" on my hands and feet when I hook up the sewer hose. Belt and suspenders!
__________________
2016 Montana High Country 310RE
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD LT CC 4x4 Duramax
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04-13-2017, 09:12 AM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Beloit
Posts: 283
M.O.C. #17535
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Hey Bad Moon
We think alike - putting the add-on valve at the drain pipe provides a safety "valve"(pun intended), and keeps your feet dry! I put it on last summer and it saved us this spring when our black tank valve was jammed (frozen) and the cable came lose. I was able to use the extra valve and make the trip.
I also do the same gray tank back-flush for the black tank every time we dump. Works great. And the clear elbow is a very smart add-on. Might be a little gross looking, but it really helps you know the tank is fully flushed.
Link for waste valve on Amazon - $23.
https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-T58-...ra+waste+valve
__________________
Steve & Lisa
2015 Montana High Country 353 RL | Sailuns | Kodiak Disc brakes
2015 F-350 DRW Crew Cab | Reese Goosebox
Retired and Lovin’ it!
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04-13-2017, 11:35 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Fall Creek
Posts: 1,329
M.O.C. #3699
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I had so much trouble with the gray and black tank cable releases on our 2015 Montana our dealer converted the system from cables to direct solid rods, very similar to the galley tank release on our 3440RL. No more problems.
__________________
Bob and Nancy Kassl Fall Creek, Wisconsin
2015 Montana 3440RL Legacy Edition, G614's, Pressure Pro TPMS, Dish Tailgaters
2016 GMC Sierra Denali 3500 CC SRW, Iridium Metallic, Duramax Allison Transmission
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04-13-2017, 03:42 PM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Medford
Posts: 498
M.O.C. #18546
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Twopetes:
It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it!
__________________
2016 Montana High Country 310RE
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD LT CC 4x4 Duramax
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04-14-2017, 02:06 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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As our Black, gray and galley tanks failed we had the cable system replaced with quality systems and they are very smooth.
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04-21-2017, 10:49 AM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Caledonia
Posts: 345
M.O.C. #17151
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richfaa
As our Black, gray and galley tanks failed we had the cable system replaced with quality systems and they are very smooth.
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Rich, Which quality systems did your dealer use and was it covered by the extended warranty. We are now having issues with the black tank valve leaking. I installed the twist on valve and clear plastic elbow early last year. Have lubricated the cables, but that does nothing for whatever is hanging up the black tank valves.
__________________
John & Laura___& Bentley
2017 Montana 3950BR
2015 GMC Sierra Denali Dually
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04-21-2017, 11:51 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 3,335
M.O.C. #10496
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If you are having problems with the black tank valves not closing all the way, the culprit may be material(s) caught in the valve gasket. It happened to me and the item that was obstructing the gasket was a toss in tank deodorizer. After I had the valve replaced, I have never used toss in packets again.
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04-21-2017, 12:18 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Winchester
Posts: 900
M.O.C. #19514
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Black tank valve problems seem to be common with other brands as well. We had ongoing problems in that area with our former trailer and when I learned on the other forum about the Valterra twist on valve, I figured this was the solution to our problems. It was.
We have not yet used our new Monty, but I already ordered a Valterra valve. It's great insurance against accidents of a stinky nature.
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2017 High Country 305RL
2015 Ford F-250 Super Duty
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04-21-2017, 12:34 PM
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#15
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Caledonia
Posts: 345
M.O.C. #17151
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Loneoak
Black tank valve problems seem to be common with other brands as well. We had ongoing problems in that area with our former trailer and when I learned on the other forum about the Valterra twist on valve, I figured this was the solution to our problems. It was.
We have not yet used our new Monty, but I already ordered a Valterra valve. It's great insurance against accidents of a stinky nature.
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The twist on valve is a good addition but is only masking the symptom, not solving the issue. It allows us to connect the waste hose without spilling waste on the ground or all over ourselves. Water is like electricity, it takes the path of least resistance. When the black tank valve leaks the nasty liquid fills up the drain pipes right up to the grey tank valves or until it achieves the level of the black tank. This keeps the level of the black tank down and allows the waste material to build up against the valve opening, thus damming up the works. Then when you dump the black tank, an initial flow from the waste liquid flows out but then little else. BTW congratulations on your new Monty. Hope you have many happy camping memories.
__________________
John & Laura___& Bentley
2017 Montana 3950BR
2015 GMC Sierra Denali Dually
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04-21-2017, 12:34 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Stafford Springs
Posts: 524
M.O.C. #17256
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Had mine replaced with Valterra valves under warranty, moves super easy now and no leakage.
__________________
Jason & Wendy
2014 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7L PSD
2015 Keystone Montana 3711FL
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08-06-2019, 01:34 PM
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#17
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Nicholson
Posts: 38
M.O.C. #24253
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Thanks for all the helpful and supportive posts! We bought our 2019 Montana last month, went on our first trip last weekend. Spent a great 5 days at the campground, pulled up to the RV dump station, attached the hose to the kitchen gray water, pulled, handle came off in my hand!!! I was able to pull the rod and get the tank to empty.
Next attached the hose to the black water and I could not get the valve to open, moved to the bath gray water...SAME THING!!! At this point we were afraid to manhandle them and break the handles so we gave up and drove home with tanks 2/3 full.
We bought from Camping World so this weekend I plan to go camping near my Camping World, I’ll try again at their dump station. If I have trouble I will head into the store and talk to someone. I am assuming this is all under warranty since we haven’t had our Montana for a month yet.
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08-06-2019, 05:33 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: POINTBLANK
Posts: 1,888
M.O.C. #19944
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcurtis934
Lubing the cables with spray silicone works wonders. Remove t handle. Take wall off side of convenience center, remove nut holding cable in place, pull out cable and elevate, spray lots of lube in it. I also put a tube over the end of the cable so I can fill the tube and see it drain down inside the cable. Put back together and pull cable a few times to loosen any crap in the cable. John
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100% agree with lube concept - my choice is bicycle chain lube - has more staying power than the silicone spays I've used b4.
__________________
RAM 22' DRW 3500 Crew LB 40 gal reserve tank / RETRAX Bed Cover / 2020 373RD HC / IS / MOPEKA Tank Monitor / Furrion Side&Rear Cameras
Slide Toppers / EMS-HW50C / Sailun 85's
3rd AC / Dometic 320
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08-06-2019, 06:22 PM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,318
M.O.C. #17894
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#1- NEVER BUY A CAMPER FROM ANY CAMPING WORLD.....
#2- Where ever else you but one, make sure EVERYTHING is addressed during the PDI. I don't care if I have to spend the entire day there. I want to see everything work.
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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08-13-2019, 08:19 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,688
M.O.C. #24086
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Had my first near disaster with black tank. Apparently a slow leak. It filled the drain line. After reading these very entertaining and educational posts I'm VERY careful about removing the cap. I had the drain hose under the cap and slowly eased the bottom edge open. Fluid ran out into the drain hose. I just had to wait until it stopped. Then removed the cover and attached the hose. I WILL be getting the valterra twist on valve.
BTW,why don't they make a clear cap so you can see the problem and avoid a spill???
__________________
Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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