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ippongachi · 09-11-2024, 04:15 PM

Hi all,

Bought our Baystar this last December. This is our 4th RV, so we know about fixing issues that arise. However, this is a new one on us. The solid waste in the tank builds up right underneath the toilet (Thetford 310). No amount of water will move the waste along. Eventually, we have to use a stick to push the solid waste further into the tank. Technicians have verified the issue. It has been in the shop twice for this issue. A tech at the Pueblo Newmar rally said a Macerator Toilet may alleviate the issue.

Has anyone had a similar problem and what was the fix?

Thanks,

blh427 · 09-11-2024, 04:54 PM

We have the same year and model of coach but we have not experienced the problem that you mentioned. FWIW, this is how we handle the black tank.

1. When emptying the black tank, we only dump it when full. If we arrive at the dump station and the black tank is not full, we first top it off with water and then dump it.

2. Once we open the dump valve we continuously fill up the toilet bowl with water and flush it (over and over again) while the black tank is emptying. This tends to the remaining solids loose. We also use the black flush connection, it also helps to knock stuff loose.

3. If there is no line at the dump station, we fill the black tank up again with water from the hose and then dump it again.

4. After closing the dump valve, we put a few gallons of water in the black tank along with a liquifying chemical. The black tank is never left dry. It always starts out with 3-4 gallons of water.

5. When flushing solid waste down the toilet, we try to ensure that we flush a full toilet bowl of water along with the solid waste.

Again, just FWIW.

NCC-1701A · 09-11-2024, 09:35 PM

We use the same process as blh427 describes and have no issues with the "old fashioned" gravity toilet in our half bath that drops waste directly down into the tank. Water is your friend when it comes to black tank management!

richpatty · 09-12-2024, 08:35 AM

Sounds like not enough water in black tank? Maybe black valve is leaking out water? Or you are not leaving it closed?

ippongachi · 09-13-2024, 09:45 AM

Hi all,

Thanks for the responses. We keep the black tank valve shut until it's time to drain. We have been adding lot's of water to try to move matters along. But no amount of water was able to do the trick.

gpshay · 12-20-2024, 10:52 PM

Gordon I have watched several of Kleen Tank videos .. he seems to find success with a Calgon Bead solution .. which is suppose to make the inside of the Black Tank Slicker helping to prevent solids from sticking to the bottom .. just a thought Glenn

GBERGY · 12-21-2024, 07:07 AM

We also own a 2023 Bay Star but have not experienced this issue.
Agree with blh427, however, we also add a 1/4 cup of Dawn once in a while. Be sure to use the back flush until the water runs clear. After flushing we ALWAYS add 3-4 gallons of water to the tank along with Happy Camper treatment. I'm sure there are other good tank treatments but this has worked well for us.

Safe Travels

sbleiweiss · 12-21-2024, 07:19 AM

We used to have the same problem on our Challenger. A tech explained to me that the tank is very shallow just under the toilet and slopes down to the larger part of the tank away from the toilet. Your clogs are caused by the solids sticking to and mounding on that slope. More water in flush was the only necessary fix. Making that slope slippery would solve the problem too, but is a constant maintenance issue and not necessary or worth the trouble in my opinion. Been there done that with the stick before using more water in flush. The Newmar tech that told you to get a macerator toilet to fix the problem doesn't deserve his or her job.

ippongachi · 12-21-2024, 10:54 PM

Hey all,

Worked with Newmar and Bish's RV to get this fixed. The problem was not enough slope to get solid waste to move away into the main part of the tank (as someone said above) and no amount of water was able to move the waste. Both Newmar and Bish's were able to replicate the issue. Newmar sent a rep to Bish's and they added an additional flow valve at the bottom of the tank and a macerator toilet.

Dutch Star Don · 12-22-2024, 11:29 AM

Just something to check....When they install the toilet, they install a length of 3" or so piping from the toilet, through the floor, into the tank. Since others are not experiencing the same issue, that pipe may have been made too long. If so, it leaves very little distance for waste to fall and dissipate. It can pack it in that tight spot.

We had the above issue with a Fleetwood coach we owned. It was a double whammy. On the Fleetwood, the tank was between the frame rails, and they used an angled shelf to get the waste from the outside the frame rails into the tank. It was a terrible design and was later recalled.

On that coach, I did my own repairs. I pulled the toilet and enlarged the floor fitting to either 3" or 3.5" and used a large pipe. I ensured that the pipe just fit through the floor by about an inch, so as not to be too close to the tank bottom.

Last thought....eat more fiber!