Community Forums

abnjim6 · 03-23-2013, 09:03 AM

Hello All,

The black and gray tank readings at the inside monitor read "full" so I drove to a dump site to drain those tanks, and when finished the monitor(s) read "empty."

But while observing the tanks drain, I noticed that they emptied very quick, especially the black tank. And when closing the knife valve on the black tank the valve blade struck a soft object and refused to completely close.

This is a 2000 model Fleetwood Tioga, and before this recent purchase, the coach was in storage for a lengthy period of time.

Can someone instruct about how to completely empty these tanks?

The plan is to use a short piece if tubing designed to back flush the black tank, and then use a cleaning wand at the toilet.

Does anyone have any suggestions / ideas about how to completely empty these tanks?

I need to be insured that these tanks are completely empty. Especially the black tank.

Thanks.

James

bdpreece · 03-23-2013, 10:38 AM

One of the most common complaints and most likely your problem also is the mis-reporting by the tank gauges especially for the black tank. Solid matter catches on the sensors and then dries giving false readings. In your case with a coach that had been in storage for a long time I would be concerned as to whether it had been stored with the tank full and that the fluids had evaproated leaving you with the 'Pyramid of poo'. This has all been discussed before and you might want to read this thread http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/blac...ll-123715.html

Murf2u · 03-23-2013, 12:40 PM

I had a similar issue with mine when I bought it, I suspect it had been parked for long periods with 'a little something' left in the tank since it was a one-owner, rarely saw a campground unit.

I tried a bunch of different things, what finally seemed to work was to 1/2 fill the tank with clean water from the garden hose on top of a double shot of odour eliminator / digester stuff. I left it parked that way for 2 weeks then took it for a2 hour drive to the in-laws where there's a 'dump station' (access port on septic tank).

I also found a clear 45 deg. elbow with a water jet thing built-in at CW, handiest thing ever!! It allows you to monitor flow on the line and selectively fire a jet stream of water back up into the black tank. By alternating spray, drain, spray, drain I was surprised at how much more 'stuff' came out even after the tank was supposedly empty!!!

DebbieMH · 03-23-2013, 03:29 PM

Friend of mine said to dump a bunch of ice in the toilet - then drive around. It will scrub the sides of the black tank and loosen up "stuff".

CD · 03-23-2013, 07:50 PM

My suggestion for a place to start is to get a couple bags of ice ( as per above post) and look up "Geo Method". Then if you can find a big empty parking lot (probably on Sun morning). Using the ice and the Geo Method, drive around in the parking lot swerving back and forth to make the water wash from side to side. I woud use about a half tank.
Good luck