Black tank troubles

[jeepsrule]

So I have a full black tank that won't drain. As far as I can tell the valve is opening. What suggestions do you have to clear the clog??

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepsrule As far as I can tell the valve is opening. What suggestions do you have to clear the clog??

You need to confirm that the valve is open. Are the contents frozen? What's the rest of the story here. Did you use the black tank for extended periods of time with the blade open? (I've seen that happen lots of times in campgrounds)

One remedy I use by default is to drive around with some contents in the tank. I find that everything breaks up and the tank voids and rises out much easier the next time I hook up.

[bullydogs1]

If you can confirm the valve is open, then you can try rid-x and then drive around..it takes a few days and it's the cleanest way..otherwise, some good rubber gloves, good goggles and a clothespin for your nose.....sorry...

[OSP1268]

Try back flushing, you will know real quick if the valve is open or not. If it is open the back flush may break open the blockage.

[jeepsrule]

I did accidently leave the black valve open for about 5 days the last time I dumped and rinsed it. This is the next drain time, so It could be the problem. The valve feels like normal but I don't know for sure if its open. It made noise and a small amount drained when I opened it so I'm assuming it did.

Someone mentioned back flushing. How is it done? I'm in an RV park for the winter and don't want to make a mess if possible.

Is there anyway to go down through the toilet with a snake?

I'm leaving tomorrow to go visit relatives for Christmas and will not be taking the motorhome, so I can wait until I get back to do anything drastic. Could I leave ridx in the tank that long to see if it works??

It's not frozen.

[arby]

You left the black valve open for 5 days? That is about the dumbest thing I have ever heard of. In fact, the only dumber thing I heard of was the time I left mine open for 6 or 7 days.

Thought I was going to have to use dynamite.

Get a sewer drain cap with a hose fiting on it. Modify a garden hose so it has two female ends, screw on the cap, open the black valve, turn on the water (without pressure regulator) and hope for the best. If you break it loose be sure to close the valve before you take the cap off. The horrible mess will be at a minimum............just the amount between the valve and end cap.

Hope this helps. Let us know.

[PizzaGuy]

Instead of modifying a regular hose, a standard washing machine hose has 2 female connections.

Good luck

[Diplomat Don]

jeepsrule....You should have the SaniCon system on yours. If you're not using it, reconnect and try to fill the large hose to the SaniCon with as much water as possible before connecting it. Turn the SaniCon unit on and see if it will suck out the clog. If that doesn't work, leave the valve open on the black tank and insert a garden hose into the end of the SaniCon 1" drain hose, seal it off as best you can and turn the hose on. This will back flush into your tank without making a huge mess if/when the clog breaks loose. Try turning the SaniCon on and off several times after flushing with the garden hose.

[arby]

Good point PizzaGuy. I never thought of that. Maybe I should carry one with me for the next time I have a brain fa#@.

Sounds like maybe you have some experience at this problem? LOL

[Drifter]

Jeepsrule, If all the good idea's fail, here's one more. I used the wrong TP and we had a stoppage in black tank operations, so after all other things like backwash etc. I got a deck plate and cut a hole with a Roto-zip and used a makeshift garden woe to break up and remove product....It was a crappy job.

[wa8yxm]

First question: How do you know the tank is full?

1: Sensor board shows full,, 1A: Often the case. even when the tank is dryer than the desert.

2: Toilet contents won't fall into tank.. 2A: friend had that problem.. Turns out the toilet was clogged, NOT THE TANK.. Tank was .. "Dryer than the Desert" as I said above.

That said: One poster in one of the forums I visit had that problem (Well his was very slow drain and the tank was genuinely full) he finally to it to drain... Turns out that when the factory worker cut the hole in the floor for the pipes.. Instead of tossing the cut out wood in the trash can he simply dropped it in the tank........

It fell across the outlet and blocked it.. Owner finally got it out, and sealed it in a baggie (actually double baggied it) and returned it to the CEO of the motor home company.

[jeepsrule]

I was able to get the clog blown out with an expansion nozzle that my RV part owner had on hand. This forced the clog out and allowed my black tank to drain. This simple tool is something I will add to my RV tools for the future. It attaches to the end of a garden hose (would not recommend using your fresh water hose). You stick the tool down the drain through the toilet and turn on the water. The tool expands and seals against the pipe, then forces water into the black tank. It took a couple minutes to force out my clog and then everything else ran out fine.

Here is what the tool looks like and you can purchase one at Lowe's

[Diplomat Don]

jeepsrule.....Now that you have that all cleared up.....you may want to increase the fiber in your diet...

[a k]

good one