gray water tank valve problem

[Biggjb]

This is my first trip this year. I went to drain the kitchen gray water tank andnothing drained. I know there is water in it and the senors say it is full. I have opened and close the valve several times but still nothing. I have resigned myself that I will need to open the under belly to get a looked at the valve but I have never done it. What ist the best approach would like to know in order to make the least damage to the under belly.

[Phil P]

Hi

We need to know what model trailer and if one of the larger ones which gray tank you are referring to.

Phil P

[racerjoe]

Here is my stupid question, are you aware that there are 3 tanks? and 3 separate valves? I am asking because you did not say if this is your first trip in a Montana.

[DQDick]

Racer Joe is right, new owners are frequently not told about the other drain handle that's located just in front of the wheels coming out to the frame.

[Biggjb]

quote:Originally posted by racerjoe

Here is my stupid question, are you aware that there are 3 tanks? and 3 separate valves? I am asking because you did not say if this is your first trip in a Montana.

It is the smaller tank which has the valve just in front of the tires and not together with the other two valves.

[Biggjb]

quote:Originally posted by Phil P

Hi

We need to know what model trailer and if one of the larger ones which gray tank you are referring to.

Phil P

My 5th wheel is a 2009 2980RL. The tank is the small gray one for the kitchen sink. The tank is located above the wheels with the handle for the valve just in front of the tires. I have pulled the the handle several times but nothing drained. I know there is somethingin the tank as I dones the dishes several times.

[racerjoe]

Sorry, that's the biggest issue on having full tanks. Can't help on valve, never had belly opened up

[bigskyjimmy]

it is not hard to drop the under belly just alot of screws on the sides etc.. and time consuming, after removing the screws and cross bracing just pull down the black pvc and foil insulation then you can look up there ,have your wife pull the handle and you can see what is going on or not going on,By the way I would not rely on the Sensors too much my 2012 never worked right and my new 2015 stopped working after about a week

[jcurtis934]

And the drain outlet for the galley tank is NOT installed so that the tank can drain all the way...at least this is the case on my montana. The drain valve is about a foot from the handle on my montana and assuming yours is the same you can just cut the bottom so that you have a flap opening about a foot square. this allows you to see that you are opening the blade versus the handle has broken free. Then you can gorilla tape the flap shut after cleaning the plastic off with alcohol. john

[twindman]

I had a 2006 2980. So when you pull on the handle, does it have good resistance? Or is it just sort of floppy?
One of my valves had the cotter pin thingy break and it wasn't actually pulling the valve. And it is easy to fix, but you may need a new handle and they are not easy to find. I think I went to a hardware store and bought a threaded rod and then cut it to proper length. On mine, the handle threaded on to the end, then on the other end was a sleeve like thing that was held on by a cotter pin. The other end of the sleeve screwed on the valve. Also, I believe mine had the inner sleeve unscrew a time or two. I was able to fumble around and by touch, get it started back on without dropping the belly.
Good luck.

[Drifty1]

I checked mine by taking the screws out on the belly but only on the valve side of trailer. This allowed me to pry down the belly skin to see is the handle was if fact tied to the valve.

[Biggjb]

quote:Originally posted by twindman

I had a 2006 2980. So when you pull on the handle, does it have good resistance? Or is it just sort of floppy?
One of my valves had the cotter pin thingy break and it wasn't actually pulling the valve. And it is easy to fix, but you may need a new handle and they are not easy to find. I think I went to a hardware store and bought a threaded rod and then cut it to proper length. On mine, the handle threaded on to the end, then on the other end was a sleeve like thing that was held on by a cotter pin. The other end of the sleeve screwed on the valve. Also, I believe mine had the inner sleeve unscrew a time or two. I was able to fumble around and by touch, get it started back on without dropping the belly.
Good luck.

The handle use to have resistance but now it slides back and forth quite easy. I will plan to pull the under belly apart and have a look tomorrow.

[jcurtis934]

The aluminum rod with the handle attached to it is very short and has inside threads on the other end which screws onto male threads on the tank gate valve. Since yours is easy, either it has unscrewed itself or the threads on the rod are stripped. Cutting the little tiny flap in the belly or removing belly screws in that area will allow you to see what problem you have. John

[Biggjb]

quote:Originally posted by jcurtis934

The aluminum rod with the handle attached to it is very short and has inside threads on the other end which screws onto male threads on the tank gate valve. Since yours is easy, either it has unscrewed itself or the threads on the rod are stripped. Cutting the little tiny flap in the belly or removing belly screws in that area will allow you to see what problem you have. John

I have pulled the under belly down and notice the gate valve is all one piece and the aluminum rod slide in and out. I cannot see the other end. All I see is the rod sliding in and out of the gate valve assembly. I tried to turn the rod to see if it screwed onto to gate valve but all it did was turn and turn.

[Biggjb]

I pulled down the under belly and replaced the gate valve. All is working now.