Community Forums

Mulcahy · 07-18-2013, 03:01 PM

I cant get my black tank to drain

menoble · 07-18-2013, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulcahy

I cant get my black tank to drain

A few more details? Last time dumped? Valve opening?

okmunky · 07-18-2013, 03:15 PM

We need more info -- type of RV, steps you have already tried. New RV? New dump hose might have a temporary seal at one end. Close the valve, remove the hose and examine both ends.

JudyH · 07-18-2013, 03:19 PM

Maybe you have a faulty level indicator, and it is empty.

RedWing Nut · 07-18-2013, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulcahy

I cant get my black tank to drain

Welcome to the forum!

Have you ever dumped your tank before?

menoble · 07-18-2013, 03:38 PM

Huh, maybe he figured it out on his own.

bradnailer · 07-18-2013, 03:52 PM

Or maybe he's away from the computer washing poop off himself.

menoble · 07-18-2013, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradnailer

Or maybe he's away from the computer washing poop off himself.

Then his tank's drained, good job everybody!

Spidey · 07-18-2013, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by menoble

Then his tank's drained, good job everybody!

BAAAhahaha!

MickBrennan · 07-18-2013, 05:45 PM

Or maybe he's full of it.

Cubey · 07-21-2013, 10:45 AM

The specialty pull valve built into my Thetford recirculating toilet was stuck closed. I removed the plastic handle and put vise grips on the stem, rotating the stem. It broke the bit of rust that was holding it in place at the outside and now it moves fine.

It may be leaking slightly due to it's age, however. I am hoping maybe I just didn't close it very good last time. But being 35 years old, it may very well be leaking slightly. But at least this thing, combined with the large amount of chemical that is called for (it uses the amount meant for 40gallons... used in under 10), it really does a good job of dissolving the wastes. I am sticking to Thetford chems for the Thetford toilet so it doesn't risk eating up the already old seals.

I'll probably have to eventually bite the bullet and pay an RV or boat shop (these are very common on boats!) to replace the valve since I'm not sure I wanna do that myself. I may as well just have a new one installed by the time I do that though since it involves removing and disassembling the toilet. Sadly, there's no room really outside for a pull valve or I'd put that instead.

tedgard01 · 07-21-2013, 11:40 AM

If you have tried all the normal things like flushing the tank, etc. Then go to Wall-Mart, buy a cheap drain snake, around $12, and use it down the toilet and/or up the drain from outside.

More than likely you have a poop and toilet paper pyramid that is blocking the drain. You simply need to break up the blockage and push it through. It will drain like new.

Sometimes it is the simplest solution that works best. It may be a dirty job, but better that paying someone to clean it out, and you will know how to take care of it going forward if it happens again.

After the blockage is freed up, be sure that you add at least two to five gallons of water to the tank when you put your chemicals in. A lot of times people only put a small amount of water. Therefore, the poop simply piles up in the bottom and you get the pyramid of stink.