Community Forums

rvndonm · 10-10-2014, 08:53 PM

The gray tank gate valve on my 2001 Tradewinds LTC has a slight leak around the stem of the valve and needs to be replaced. I got to the point where I was going to remove the valve. I could not separate the fittings to slide the valve out between them. Has anyone had to replace this valve and if so how is the valve removed and new seals and valve replaced? Thanks, rvndonm

chboone · 10-10-2014, 09:14 PM

I don't know how your piping is configured, on my Dolphin I had to disconnect the black tank valve also. That way I was able to relieve the pressure of the flange against the valve. Since I had it apart I replace both valves. On mine the hardest part was accessing one of the bolts of the black tank valve. I used a 1/4" socket and ratchet.

Chuck

chboone · 10-10-2014, 09:22 PM

BTW, I used the black tank flusher for a long time. Then filled the tank about 3/4 full added a couple of cups of bleach and laundry detergent. Went for a drive, dumped the tank and used the flusher again before taking the valve apart.

Chuck

sirpurrcival · 10-10-2014, 10:43 PM

I found that both the grey and black were getting very stiff so I replaced them both. The black valve sits in a horizontal configuration on my Tropical so it was a bit easier to line up and secure the 4 bolts that secure it to the pipe from the black tank. The grey on the other hand sits in a vertical position and it was a little trickier to get lined up properly with the gasket.

As for the how to's. As I recall I had to put a small adjustable crescent wrench on the back side nuts while unscrewing the the bolts from the front. There was a lot of feeling around involved as some of the bolts were impossible to see from the back side. If they are badly rusted, you might need to try something like a hacksaw blade between the gate flange and the pipe and saw through the bolts.