black water valve

[Doug and Anita]

How do I get to the black water valve in the 3295RK? We have a strong smell inside and out after dumping the blackwater. There are no drips under the trailer or around the drain connection. I suspect that the valve leaks when dumping but I do not know how to get to the valve without dropping the covering and insulation from the bottom of the rig. I think that I may be opening a can of worms and may not be able to get it back together. I would appreciate your advice.

[crandallbradley]

You need to close the galley (My handle sticks out between the two lefthand tires) and the gray tanks before dumping the black tank. I had the same problem.

[lwcdg]

What year is yours? Mine (galley) is behind the slide near the end of the trailer. It was a pain to find at first. I know its there and I still have to look for it. And yes I would check to make sure the galley is closed.
Chuck

[illapah]

I noted an odor when I dumped this summer too. I don't know what the origin was. I think that if you (we) had a leak, the smell would stay around longer than just a bit after dumping. (I hope I have no leaks!!!!)

[simonsrf]

I agree with others, you should make sure you have the galley and the grey valves closed when you dump the black tank. Make sure that after you dump the black tank that you then run the galley water through your hose and then the grey water.

If the smell is still there, you might want to make sure the vents are open. About a year ago, we had some smell and eliminated all foul smells by using this gizmo called a Cyclone Sewer Vent.. http://tinyurl.com/32rsth

Good luck.

[HamRad]

Doug and Anita,

We have the 3295 and have had a leak in our gray tank. To get to the valves/tanks just drop the bottom of the rig. Just a few screws. If I remember correctly you have to cut the insulation. But then you'll see all the stuff you need to see.

The smell is probably just a lingering from the actual dumping. If you are not seeing a leak then I doubt you'll find a problem. Before I do that I'd use the flush process several times and fill the tank about 1/4 full. The usual problem in a case like this is simply not flushing enough and not using enough water. Also make sure your black tank is completely full before dumping. If you do not have one of the clear elbows to connect to your sewer connection then you should get one so you can see when the flush has finally gotten everything out of the tank. It generally takes me at least 2 flushes and sometimes as many as 4. Once I can see that no more paper and or other solids are coming out of the tank then I put in about 3 minutes worth of water.

If that does not do away with most of the smell then I'd take a look under the rig.

Good luck and let us know what you end up doing.

HamRad

[nkwist]

If it's like our 3400, any leak will end up on the insulation and plastic sheets which make the bottom of the trailer. It will then leak out the seams and onto the ground. If you don't see anything dripping, I doubt you have a leak.