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Old 01-06-2025, 06:01 PM   #1
dfryk
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Black and Gray tank valves won't close

We have a 2015 3160 RL. The tank valves have been getting harder and harder to close and now won't close at all. I've tried several lubricants on the short exposed part of the handle but nothing works.

Any suggestions?
 
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Old 01-06-2025, 08:05 PM   #2
dhuhn
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Sounds like you need to drop your underbelly and replace your valves.
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Old 01-06-2025, 08:32 PM   #3
dfryk
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Originally Posted by dhuhn View Post
Sounds like you need to drop your underbelly and replace your valves.
That's not what I wanted to hear.
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Old 01-06-2025, 09:46 PM   #4
Derby6
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Weird both got so hard. 9 years ain’t that old. Maybe sat dry for years??
I’m thinking seal started coming out making it harder and ow folded over keeping it from closing.
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Old 01-07-2025, 12:29 AM   #5
dfryk
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Originally Posted by Derby6 View Post
Weird both got so hard. 9 years ain’t that old. Maybe sat dry for years??
I’m thinking seal started coming out making it harder and ow folded over keeping it from closing.
Thanks for your comment. We live in a relatively hot climate but it has never sat unused in 90+ temps more than a couple of months.

They began getting sticky about a year ago. I put a product in the tanks that was supposed to keep the valves working but it didn't have much affect.
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Old 01-07-2025, 10:05 AM   #6
Daryles
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I dropped the forward coroplast under the black and grey tanks last October to replace the black tank valve seals. Not a hard job.
After replacing the seals I made lube holes as in the video.
THIS WORKS !!!!
I tested it first on my Valterra twist on gate valve. I can now open and close all the valves with one finger.
While I had the bottom off I sealed up any holes in the frame (air gaps) with Gorilla tape to stop any drafts (keeps you warmer/cooler). I also installed insulation around the perimeter and across the bottom before putting the coroplast back up.

SmartSHIELD 20mm Reflective Insulation Roll https://a.co/d/baijHZq

Valve lubrication making lube holes for silicon grease
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Old 01-07-2025, 11:44 AM   #7
dfryk
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Originally Posted by Daryles View Post
I dropped the forward coroplast under the black and grey tanks last October to replace the black tank valve seals. Not a hard job.
After replacing the seals I made lube holes as in the video.
THIS WORKS !!!!
I tested it first on my Valterra twist on gate valve. I can now open and close all the valves with one finger.
While I had the bottom off I sealed up any holes in the frame (air gaps) with Gorilla tape to stop any drafts (keeps you warmer/cooler). I also installed insulation around the perimeter and across the bottom before putting the coroplast back up.

SmartSHIELD 20mm Reflective Insulation Roll https://a.co/d/baijHZq

Valve lubrication making lube holes for silicon grease
Thanks for that info.

I should have clarified that our rig has cables that run from the handle to the valves.
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Old 01-07-2025, 01:57 PM   #8
Daryles
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Ours has cables too. The video is useful only for demonstrating where to drill lube holes in the back of the valve. Do it on the top (upper) side of the valve.
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Old 01-12-2025, 02:39 PM   #9
Speck56
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The gate is blocked. All the lubricant in the world won't help. Back flush 5 or 6 times, or take valve out and clean or replace
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Old 01-12-2025, 03:19 PM   #10
Clemson1881
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Calgon

One capful Calgon Water Softner (laundry section Wal-Mart) in tank. Keep valve closed until nearly full. If valves won’t close add twist on valve at hose hookup to hold water until dumping.
The Calgon will not restore free valves instantly. It will take several tanks, but they’ll free up. Use the Calgon always for maintenance.
No more sticky valves. No lubrcating externally. No more replacing.
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Old 01-12-2025, 06:32 PM   #11
dfryk
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clemson1881 View Post
One capful Calgon Water Softner (laundry section Wal-Mart) in tank. Keep valve closed until nearly full. If valves won’t close add twist on valve at hose hookup to hold water until dumping.
The Calgon will not restore free valves instantly. It will take several tanks, but they’ll free up. Use the Calgon always for maintenance.
No more sticky valves. No lubrcating externally. No more replacing.
Thank you.

I’ve used Bath Pearls and Pine Sol mixed last time out but only flushed once. I’ll try again.
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Old 01-12-2025, 08:00 PM   #12
jkxtreme
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WOW... genius. I will be doing mine the same way.
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Old 01-14-2025, 11:21 AM   #13
Randy E
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If you have cables on your coach this 'Might' work. Take off the 'T' handle for both valves. Find a short piece of nylon or rubber tubing to slip over the metal pull shaft and outer casing. Make sure it is tight, you might need a small clamp to hold it in place. Bend the rubber tube upward so you can fill the short rubber tube with your favorite penetrating oil. Leave it sit over night and I'll bet your cables start to move.
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