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BFlinn181 · 09-03-2013, 12:45 PM

Better than Draino, which will be too diluted to do much except kill bacteria and prevent breakdown of solids, would be machine dishwashing detergent or Dawn. They will help cut grease and clean tank as you travel. You might also think about putting food coloring dye in your shore hose and reconnect. Then DO NOT use any faucets or toilet for a few hours to see if the water under pressure has been passed into tank. Any dye in the hose or system can then be flushed until clear. Do you have flush valves in you black tank to help clean tank after a dump? If so, perhaps it is leaking and allowing water into the tank. Also, if you turn water off at hydrant until you need it, is tank filling?

myredracer · 09-03-2013, 01:15 PM

Thx.

Yes we do have a built-in black tank flusher. I was thinking about that this morning. What if they interconnected the piping? But if it is somehow, would it just continue to flow until it backed up somewhere or leaked out under the tank? No evidence of that.

We've got two more 100 mile or so legs before we get back home so it's two opportunities to get the tank sloshing around for a bit. Just dishwashing liquid may help or should we try and find some Calgon water softener? Just a small IGA here on the Wa. coast and don't know if they'd have Calgon but will go look. Have not tried the Geo method yet and maybe this is the time.

Our owner's manual says "Fill tank with 8-10 gallons of warm water. Add one bottle of drain cleaner, such as Drano or Liquid Plumber. Leave the solution in tank while travelling. Rinse and drain tank." Funny that they don't say to use septic safe type or the type that is okay for plastic and metal.

When I googled drano + RV, not much comes up. Don't know if other RV manufacturers say to use drano. They say not to use regular drano or equivalent because it can damage the seals.

There's definitely no diapers, tampons, toys or anything else in there that could plug up the tank. Just poop & TP. We're just heading for a walk to see if we can round up a piece of flexible pipe to use as a snake.

This season we've been mostly at full hookups so when the tank seemed full I just dumped it. But have not yet seen it rise to almost the top in just one day.

myredracer · 09-03-2013, 02:57 PM

Honey wagon guy came and gravity drained the black tank and about 5-7 gallons came out. But when you look down the toilet, there's still standing water visible a few inches down from the floor. So there could be over 7 gallons in the tank.

He drained the grey tank and there was only a dribble in it.

I also got hold of a piece of heavy rubber garden hose and it went down into the tank easily about 5' with no resistance. Didn't help anything.

Water seems to be getting into the black tank somehow and the only way would be via the tank flush line. If that's the case, that's not good and a potential for contamination of the potable water.

Phoned the dealer and call not returned yet. When we're back home and the TT is parked, I can hook up fresh water and see if the black tank fills up. Still don't understand how we can see water below the toilet if the tank was drained. The only way to figure this out is going to be a trip to the dealer.

Very strange.

BFlinn181 · 09-03-2013, 08:10 PM

I wonder if you have a trap in the toilet drain. That could explain why you're seeing water down there. Most tank flush systems are plumbed with hose connections. You might see if you can find and disconnect flush valve to prevent leaking into the tank.