Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > MOC Technical Forums > Maintenance
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-01-2019, 10:11 AM   #1
kozzy
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Nokomis
Posts: 464
M.O.C. #18144
Blank Tank Valve

My black tank dump valve is sticking very badly I have to sit there with both hands sometimes to pull it out. Then, when I push it back in, I have to slam it and bang the handle in to get the valve ot close all the way. I believe this is just the handle and/or cable, and the valve at the tank is working fine. I have tried WD-40 to loosen it up, that works for about week. Any one have the same experience, and does anyone know if the handle and cable assembly can be replaced? My unit is 4 years old, so I dont mind doing a little replacement work for worn out parts. This is a PITA though. I have the camping world extended warranty, which is good sam Should I just take it in perhaps and let them deal with it?
 
__________________
Ed
2016 Montana 3950 BR
2004 Montana 3650 RK
2019 Ram 3500 SRW Laramie CTD 6.7
kozzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2019, 10:46 AM   #2
rohrmann
Montana Master
 
rohrmann's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,676
M.O.C. #12947
Ours was sticking like that some years ago, until I started using the Thetford valve lube that you add to the tank. I did the big doses a couple of times to start with and the valve did loosen up, and now, when I drain the tank, I add my treatment, a cap full of liquid Calgon and four ounces of the valve lube and the valve opens and closes very easy. I could tell that the cable was not the problem with ours.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
rohrmann is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2019, 01:31 PM   #3
mtlakejim
Montana Master
 
mtlakejim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bee Branch
Posts: 2,620
M.O.C. #20693
Good info Rorrman. We have been lucky with ours so far but being full timers and not moving I sure don't want to take our unit to a dealer for anything. I don't waste our money on the warranty either as that usually requires a trip to a dealer as well. Fortunately I am fairly handy so I don't think there is anything on one of these rigs I couldn't fix myself.
__________________
James & Irene Wilson
Bee Branch, AR.
2017 Ram 1 ton diesel duallyCrew Cab/Long Bed
2018 Montana High Country 381TH Garage Full of Toys
mtlakejim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2019, 06:11 PM   #4
kozzy
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Nokomis
Posts: 464
M.O.C. #18144
good info, but I don't think it is my valve, I am pretty sure it is the handle and cable assembly. The valve appears to be working fine.
__________________
Ed
2016 Montana 3950 BR
2004 Montana 3650 RK
2019 Ram 3500 SRW Laramie CTD 6.7
kozzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2019, 07:22 PM   #5
Leftie Canuk
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Sidney,B.C.
Posts: 138
M.O.C. #23585
Black Tank Valve

Quote:
Originally Posted by kozzy View Post
good info, but I don't think it is my valve, I am pretty sure it is the handle and cable assembly. The valve appears to be working fine.
My experience with cable-operated valves on the Monty and SOB led me to go to an electric valve for the black tank. So far, so good. It was not that difficult and required no cutting or gluing, just some choice words to get the replacement valve slipped into place. Eliminating the cable portion of the valve operation was the key objective in the project. Just my humble opinion.
Leftie Canuk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2019, 08:02 PM   #6
kozzy
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Nokomis
Posts: 464
M.O.C. #18144
Do you have a link for what you got? that sounds like a great idea, and a nice fall/spring project for me while My camper is not getting used.
__________________
Ed
2016 Montana 3950 BR
2004 Montana 3650 RK
2019 Ram 3500 SRW Laramie CTD 6.7
kozzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2019, 10:43 AM   #7
beeje
Montana Master
 
beeje's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,318
M.O.C. #17894
The valves the keystone uses are Bristle valves and are junk. Replace all the valves with Valterra valves and cables and your issues will disappear.
__________________
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
beeje is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2019, 11:11 AM   #8
kozzy
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Nokomis
Posts: 464
M.O.C. #18144
Is there a way just to replace the cables? I think the valve itself is fine.
Its only the black tank valve and cable, the other 2 gray cables/valves work fine.

I have the good sam ESP . Part of me just wants to take it to CW and pay the 50 bucks.
__________________
Ed
2016 Montana 3950 BR
2004 Montana 3650 RK
2019 Ram 3500 SRW Laramie CTD 6.7
kozzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2019, 11:27 AM   #9
Leftie Canuk
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Sidney,B.C.
Posts: 138
M.O.C. #23585
Black Tank Valve

Quote:
Originally Posted by kozzy View Post
Do you have a link for what you got? that sounds like a great idea, and a nice fall/spring project for me while My camper is not getting used.
Hi,
I am forwarding the product information instead of the link to Amazon Canada, as I suspect you will want to order it from Amazon US or another
us source.
Valterra E1003VP EZ Valve 3" Electric Waste Valve System

Good luck, and enjoy the ease of pushing a button to do the nasty black tank job !

Eric
Leftie Canuk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2019, 09:05 PM   #10
kozzy
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Nokomis
Posts: 464
M.O.C. #18144
Thanks Eric,

Do you know will I need any extra pieces or can I just buy this kit and do the swap?
Thanks again.
__________________
Ed
2016 Montana 3950 BR
2004 Montana 3650 RK
2019 Ram 3500 SRW Laramie CTD 6.7
kozzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2019, 09:13 PM   #11
mazboy
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Grand Rapids
Posts: 1,896
M.O.C. #9561
you have the warranty just get it in.
mazboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2019, 09:47 PM   #12
ejerni
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Pahrump
Posts: 65
M.O.C. #24555
Not so much a reply. When we empty our black tank on our 3791RD, nothing else is coming out. When we get to our next place and go to put the hose on, there is a lot of liquid coming out. Why does that happen?
ejerni is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-03-2019, 08:34 AM   #13
Leftie Canuk
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Sidney,B.C.
Posts: 138
M.O.C. #23585
Smile Black Tank Valve

Quote:
Originally Posted by kozzy View Post
Thanks Eric,

Do you know will I need any extra pieces or can I just buy this kit and do the swap?
Thanks again.
Ed, I don't recall needing any other pieces except some extra wire because their supplied harness is too short, and a fuse holder because I connected directly to the battery area without going through the DC side of the electrical panel. My convenience center is close to the battery area, so that made wiring easier. A few zip ties to keep things tidy, some solderless connectors for the wiring, and a little black Gorilla tape to seal up the Chloroplast underbelly where it gets cut into a flap to access the valve if it ever fails to operate. You may need to replace some or all of the fasteners keeping the underbelly material in place, as they tend to be rusty and tough to remove. I went all stainless on mine, to avoid future issues. Prep-wise, be sure the tank is empty, ensure the rig is stabilized before crawling under, and remove the underbelly (Chloroplast) to have a look and plan the wiring routing. It's not a difficult job, sometimes awkward to work at the outlet area of the black tank, but actually easier than I imagined. Go for it - it's worth it !
Eric on the Left Coast
Leftie Canuk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-03-2019, 01:10 PM   #14
jcurtis934
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Pensacola (mail forward service)
Posts: 3,198
M.O.C. #13740
And it is much easier to replace valves if you cut the outlet pipe side and use a no hub rubber coupling to put the pipe back together. I would also say to put the monte nose low so nothing left in the tank can flow out towards the valve and pipes.
__________________
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.
jcurtis934 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-03-2019, 01:24 PM   #15
jimcol
Montana Master
 
jimcol's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,702
M.O.C. #7992
Send a message via AIM to jimcol Send a message via MSN to jimcol
Quote:
Originally Posted by kozzy View Post
My black tank dump valve is sticking very badly I have to sit there with both hands sometimes to pull it out. Then, when I push it back in, I have to slam it and bang the handle in to get the valve ot close all the way. I believe this is just the handle and/or cable, and the valve at the tank is working fine. I have tried WD-40 to loosen it up, that works for about week. Any one have the same experience, and does anyone know if the handle and cable assembly can be replaced? My unit is 4 years old, so I dont mind doing a little replacement work for worn out parts. This is a PITA though. I have the camping world extended warranty, which is good sam Should I just take it in perhaps and let them deal with it?
I've helped several people with units experiencing the same issue as you. Instead of WD40 try using some oil even if it is just 3in1. I'm sure you will find it to be a more permanent fix especially since the WD helps for a short period of time. Lot easier then changing valves. Drip a few drops between the sheath and the wire then exercise the hell out of it before adding a few more drops and repeating.
__________________
2006 3000RK
2009 Ram 2500
jimcol is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2019, 04:32 PM   #16
hosssmith
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Brownwood
Posts: 86
M.O.C. #14197
beeje said:
"The valves the keystone uses are Bristle valves and are junk. Replace all the valves with Valterra valves and cables and your issues will disappear."

That is a fact! My repairman did that on my black tank and it is basically a two finger operation whereas the grey tank valve is a heave ho. I'm just looking for an excuse to replace it to.
hosssmith is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2019, 05:14 PM   #17
AndrewStep3
New Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Alvarado
Posts: 1
M.O.C. #24817
WD40 is not really a lubricant, it has a drying agent in it so it won’t last long. For rusted hinges and parts try PB Blaster, it works a lot better but the tank lube that was mentioned earlier is your best bet.
AndrewStep3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2019, 06:04 PM   #18
bobbaar
New Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Greenwood
Posts: 1
M.O.C. #18112
lubricant

For all you do it yourselfers that need something better than WD-40, PB Blaster or anything else on the market for rusty parts or anything that sticks try Automatic transmission fluid and acetone in equal parts. As Paw Paw on Doin it Cheap Youtube channel says there's nothing that works better. It is truly a miracle juice. Try it. You won't be disappointed.
bobbaar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2019, 06:27 PM   #19
mazboy
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Grand Rapids
Posts: 1,896
M.O.C. #9561
you have a warranty use it. that is what it is for.
mazboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2019, 06:49 PM   #20
kozzy
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Nokomis
Posts: 464
M.O.C. #18144
yeah, i know I have the warranty, but they will just replace with the same valve. I bought the electric valve, ill be installing next week and be done with it.
I can easily get to the valve. plus my unit is at my seasonal site, it will cost be 70 in fuel to bring it to CW, plus the 50 deductible. that's about the same I paid for the new valve, so its really only costing me time, and im pretty handy so I dont mind doing the work and making it better. Never thought of the PB blaster, have some on the shelf in my garage...WD40 was in my truck
__________________
Ed
2016 Montana 3950 BR
2004 Montana 3650 RK
2019 Ram 3500 SRW Laramie CTD 6.7
kozzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:19 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.