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Old 05-06-2013, 10:29 AM   #1
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stiff sewer release valves

Over the past few months, on our 11' Open Range Journeyer, our Gray and Black water release valves have become SO stiff, hard to pull open, hard to close completely. The gray valve has started not closing completely (still has about a 1/2"+ gap to the wall) and now there is a slow drip coming out of the drain pipe and I wanted to know what to do about this? I am guessing replace the cables? But I have no idea what to look for or if there is something I can do with the current installation.

Thanks
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Old 05-06-2013, 10:35 AM   #2
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On our old Travel trailer I got some "Fluid Film" spray on lubricant and when the valves were open at the Sani Dump I sprayed the rods heavily with the stuff and started working the handles in and out. After about three or four minutes on each they moved in and out quite easily.

After removing the slinky hose I also sprayed up inside into the Tee and attempted to get some of the lubricant onto the plastic gates to aid the sliding. This also made opening and closing a lot easier, YMMV but this simple solution worked for me.
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Old 05-06-2013, 10:39 AM   #3
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On our old Travel trailer I got some "Fluid Film" spray on lubricant and when the valves were open at the Sani Dump I sprayed the rods heavily with the stuff and started working the handles in and out. After about three or four minutes on each they moved in and out quite easily.

After removing the slinky hose I also sprayed up inside into the Tee and attempted to get some of the lubricant onto the plastic gates to aid the sliding. This also made opening and closing a lot easier, YMMV but this simple solution worked for me.
Where could I find the Fluid Film? Home Improvement store I assume? If I can't find that, then would you think WD40 would be an option?
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Old 05-06-2013, 10:43 AM   #4
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You may try some fabric softener down the drains to try and lubricate the rubber seal. Does yours use cables? On my jayco and others that i have owned it uses a aluminum rod that screws on the valve and then comes out to the side of camper.
You may check underneath to see if anything looks like it might shifted and causing the problem.
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Old 05-06-2013, 10:47 AM   #5
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You may try some fabric softener down the drains to try and lubricate the rubber seal. Does yours use cables? On my jayco and others that i have owned it uses a aluminum rod that screws on the valve and then comes out to the side of camper.
You may check underneath to see if anything looks like it might shifted and causing the problem.
Our valves do use cables, the valves are in a cabinet on the side of the camper and the cable I have seen them when looking behind that cabinet where the undercarriage holds our fresh water and all the unseen plumbing.

Never heard about the fabric softener, sounds like an additional thing to do along with lubricating the valves when released and working it into the cables...
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Old 05-06-2013, 12:21 PM   #6
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Where could I find the Fluid Film? Home Improvement store I assume? If I can't find that, then would you think WD40 would be an option?
I got mine from a Canadian DIY store called Canadian Tire. I would suggest if you can't find Fluid Film Fluid Film Rust Protection you try to locate LPS1 LPS 1® Greaseless Lubricant, 11oz. Net Wt. Aerosol, distributed by R.S. Hughes - Industrial Distributor - Tapes, Adhesives, Abrasives, Safety, and Electronic Products which is an equally good product. I used the FF spray because I had that with me in the trailer.

WD40 I believe is what caused my units to stick in the first place. The gent I bought the trailer from was addicted to the stuff and sprayed it everywhere.

Hopefully this will help solve your problem. BTW I use either spray (whichever is handiest at time of need) to spray on the ball of the receiver whenever I attach a trailer to it.
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Old 05-06-2013, 01:30 PM   #7
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It's probably a good idea to try the easy things first, but I wouldn't assume that the valves themselves don't need replacing. They're cheap and if you can get to them, I would replace them before they get so stiff that the handle comes off in your hand. Then the trouble really begins.

Best of luck.

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Old 05-06-2013, 01:41 PM   #8
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Camco makes a rv drain valve lubricant, and I have purchased it in the RV section at WalMart. Don't know if you can still find it there or not, but here's a link to it at Amazon: Camco 40246 RV TST Drain Valve Lube with Coco Oil - 16 oz : Amazon.com : Automotive
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Old 05-06-2013, 01:41 PM   #9
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I was told to use vaseline. But I never could figure out where? Anyone hear of that?
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Old 05-06-2013, 07:22 PM   #10
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You might try a bottle of mineral oil or olive oil into an empty tank. Then dumping while operating the valve.
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