katevesco
ontario canada
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Joined: 09/29/2003
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We are on our way back from Mexico and still have a ways to go. Just before we left we discovered that the black water gate was stuck and only after a lot of tugging and pushing and twisting we managed to open it. Three days later while in Alabama we tried to empty again and again the gate was stuck only this time there is no budging it. We bought a new gate but you can imagine the thought of getting the old one off while the tank is full is somewhat of a miserable thought. Anyone had a similar problem with a sweeter solution than the one we think is facing us?
Kate
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five'er
Canada
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Joined: 09/25/2006
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I never had that happen on an RV but I did have it happen on my hot tub.. (Actually, I had mine freeze once (I'm sure not the same for you) wasn't easy replacing the valve while warm water flowed out of a 3" hole, I can only imagine if it was not warm water. Obviously, not an option.
Can you tell why it's stuck? Is it dirt in the "track" that the valve slides in? Now that you have a replacement you can see how it functions, perhaps that can assist you in understanding what may be wrong. I have no real advice that is outside of common sense.. Clean it, I'd pour hot water on it?!? I'm not sure why, maybe it would free up any sludge that's stuck.. maybe expand or loosen things.. Just be careful with all your pulling and tugging that you do't pull the handle and rod right out of the valve body.. If you do that you're done and the only fix is to remove the gate. (get a plastice hazmat suit  )
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301TBS
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 12/02/2011
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Would silicone spray, or wd 40 help after the hot water thing? Good luck!
2012 Crossroads Z1 271B
2009 F150 4x4,4.6,3v. 6spd. 3.73/9.75
Reese dual cam
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katevesco
ontario canada
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Joined: 09/29/2003
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Ah thank you and ou have the picture. We pull the lever and it moves just about an inch and comes to a abrupt hault and it sounds like metal on metal. The thing that surprises us is that when we unstuck it in Mexico we simply undid two nuts and it gave way. This time we took out four nuts and nothing gave. Thanks again
Kate
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katevesco
ontario canada
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Yes thanks we tried the Silicone spray
Kate
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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It may help folks help you if you'd tell us which model of B you have, and on what chassis.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigervehicles.com
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katevesco
ontario canada
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We have a Roadtrek 2003 Poplar 6 litre. It does not help that this is the model with not a lot of clearance.
Kate
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1995brave
San Antonio, TX
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Joined: 01/24/2006
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Try unscrewing the handle and metal rod, then spray silicone on the rod and down the tube, put it back together and try again. Here is a link to Valterra who makes most of the RV valves.
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katevesco
ontario canada
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Good lead. Thank you.
Kate
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Knowing that may help. On my similar '02 RT Chevy 190 Popular, the black & gray valves were operated by long small-diameter metal rods that ran across from the handles behind the driver's door to the actual valve located almost on the other side of the van. I think yours is the same.
I know there's a threaded connection at the valve end between this rod and the metal valve stem. Mine came loose, but I can't recall the details from 7 years back. I think there may be another connector at the handle end, just behind the panel the handles are in.
In other words... from left side to right, it goes something like: Handle with short stem - connector - long rod - connector - valve with valve stem.
I'm wondering if one of the connectors has come unscrewed. Mine was a 'simple' matter of getting under the van (drive it onto a curb?) and screwing things back together. I then wrapped a layer of duct tape around it to keep it from happening again.
Jim, "I still miss Pluto."
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