New RV - Black Tank gate valve leaking slightly

[SocalGuy!]

I have a 9 month old Thor Axis 24.1 and when I take off the cap off the black and gray tank combo drain pipe about a tablespoon of black waste water drains out. The gate valves are shut.

This happens every time I go to drain my tanks and remove the cap after the gate valves. Is a tablespoon of waste water normal for a little leakage or should it be completely dry after taking off the cap.

I'm going to be taking it in for some warranty work and was going to bring it up to my dealer, but wanted to get your guys opinion first before they tell me this is normal.

Thx

 

[16ACE27]

Only a tablespoon? Is it a leak or condensation?
IMHO the repair guys will laugh at you (behind your back) about a tablespoon of liquid.

Most of the time I have no liquid when I remove the cap but on occasion there will have been a leak-by. There will likely be a lot of responses with what to use to resolve the leak-by but they all start with a good cleaning/flush of the black and grey tanks and discharge piping.

Make sure your valves are properly lubricated so they close fully.

And, of course, always dump black first and grey second. I usually leave the black tank valve open for a second or two after I initiate the grey dump which may or may not help clear the black valve depending on your plumbing geometry.

 

[SocalGuy!]

Ya, I kind of figured the repair guys would be non responsive or a laugh as well. A tablespoon of black waste doesn't seem like a lot. It's getting past the valve but very little. it's just a little annoying when I take the cap off and it drains into my side drain compartment or on the ground below my MH before I can get the sewer hose onto the pipe.

I don't think it is condensation, it is pretty brown and smells bad.

I just got back from a long 4700 mile trip and when I flush my tanks I do the black first and put a hose on the black flush input and wait until the water is running clear. I then open my gray valve but leave the black valve open with the black flush hose running and leave both valves open until the water is super clear and no more TP particles are showing coming through my clear elbow at the sewer hole.

Should I close the black valve before opening the gray valve.

What do you use to lubricate the gate valves, since they are plastic. I'm presuming they are plastic. Is that correct. Mine are buried in a side compartment and I can't look up the pipe to see them.

Thanks for your response.

 

[16ACE27]

Ya, I kind of figured the repair guys would be non responsive or a laugh as well. A tablespoon of black waste doesn't seem like a lot. It's getting past the valve but very little. it's just a little annoying when I take the cap off and it drains into my side drain compartment or on the ground below my MH before I can get the sewer hose onto the pipe.

I don't think it is condensation, it is pretty brown and smells bad.

I just got back from a long 4700 mile trip and when I flush my tanks I do the black first and put a hose on the black flush input and wait until the water is running clear. I then open my gray valve but leave the black valve open with the black flush hose running and leave both valves open until the water is super clear and no more TP particles are showing coming through my clear elbow at the sewer hole.

Should I close the black valve before opening the gray valve.

What do you use to lubricate the gate valves, since they are plastic. I'm presuming they are plastic. Is that correct. Mine are buried in a side compartment and I can't look up the pipe to see them.

Thanks for your response.

Sounds like you're doing it right.
Lubrication is for the shaft of the valve - I doubt you can reach the gate and rubber seals, but if your can a good silicone spray can help in both locations.

I think your next step is to drain/flush the black tank several times, then fill it with your flush and a good detergent (some recommend Calgon). Then put the cap back on the outlet to block the flow and open the black dump valve. Let it sit like this for a while - a few days if possible, cycling the dump valve on occasion. Then close the dump valve, open the cap to drain the dead-headed liquid, then dump the black tank.

See if that helps. If not, I think the next step is to remove the valve and see if you have a damaged or twisted seal. But if that was the case I would expect to see more than a tablespoon leak-by.

 

[ghnl]

With the holding tanks empty you can remove the gate valves to inspect, clean or replace. Four screws & nuts each.

But the occasional drip wouldn't bother me too much (I assume you wear gloves when draining the holding tanks...). Perhaps keep a paper plate & paper towels under the pipe when you're going to remove the cap and attach the hose?

 

[SocalGuy!]

Ted, Sounds great, I'll try this method and see if it makes any difference and give the shaft and gate some silicone spray as well.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[SocalGuy!]

GHNL, that's a good idea with the paper plate and paper towel. I always feel a little guilty when the little bit of black water goes on the ground below my MH before I can get the drain hose on. Yes I use disposable gloves when I'm handling any of the waste tanks and draining hoses and equipment, so I'm not worried about my exposure but the ground or my side compartment getting it.

If the problem gets worse I will probably look further into taking the gate valves off for inspection or replacement, but they are located in a pretty tight side compartment on my Axis 24.1, so taking them off could be a chore.

Thx

 

[16ACE27]

GHNL, that's a good idea with the paper plate and paper towel. I always feel a little guilty when the little bit of black water goes on the ground below my MH before I can get the drain hose on. Yes I use disposable gloves when I'm handling any of the waste tanks and draining hoses and equipment, so I'm not worried about my exposure but the ground or my side compartment getting it.

If the problem gets worse I will probably look further into taking the gate valves off for inspection or replacement, but they are located in a pretty tight side compartment on my Axis 24.1, so taking them off could be a chore.

Thx

You know; the discharge connection swivels up and down. I remove the cap in the UP position. If I see liquid accumulated, I just put the hose below the opening when I swivel it down so any accumulation just drops i nto the hose and is already on its way to the hole in the ground by the time I have the hose connected on the RV end.

 

[SocalGuy!]

You know; the discharge connection swivels up and down. I remove the cap in the UP position. If I see liquid accumulated, I just put the hose below the opening when I swivel it down so any accumulation just drops i into the hose and is already on its way to the hole in the ground by the time I have the hose connected on the RV end.

Yes, I can swivel it up more before taking off the cap, but by the time I swivel it down it will run into the drain area compartment. It won't make it until it gets to the down position. Maybe I'll try taking off the cap when its all the way down and try and save the waste in the cap and then pour it into the sewer hose. I'll figure it out.

Thanks for you guys help, it gives me options and I feel better about the situation, since I doubt my dealer will change out the gate valve for a tablespoon leak.

I think when I take it in I will have them look at it anyways and see what they say.

Thanks again.

 

[MJC68]

I think Eric said it best. Replace the offending gate valve. 4 bolts, 10 minutes and less than $20 on Amazoom.

 

[david_reaves]

This happens every time I go to drain my tanks and remove the cap after the gate valves. Is a tablespoon of waste water normal for a little leakage or should it be completely dry after taking off the cap.

I have a newish 2024 Thor Freedom Traveler A32 (bought September 2023). I have the same issue, but in my case it's a couple of ounces of holding tank chemical with water. After I empty my tanks, I always add 3-5 gallons back to the tank and fresh chemicals. The next time I open the cover I can count on a tiny bit of the treated liquid being behind the cap. It's weird, though, because it isn't like there is a continual leak, just a couple of ounces. The tank can be completely full when I remove the cover but only a very small bit of the chemical seems to have seeped out early on. I have a spray faucet in the compartment, so I just wash the bit of liquid off after I hook the hoses up. I don't know that it is enough bother to try to change the valve.

 

[SocalGuy!]

I have a newish 2024 Thor Freedom Traveler A32 (bought September 2023). I have the same issue, but in my case it's a couple of ounces of holding tank chemical with water. After I empty my tanks, I always add 3-5 gallons back to the tank and fresh chemicals. The next time I open the cover I can count on a tiny bit of the treated liquid being behind the cap. It's weird, though, because it isn't like there is a continual leak, just a couple of ounces. The tank can be completely full when I remove the cover but only a very small bit of the chemical seems to have seeped out early on. I have a spray faucet in the compartment, so I just wash the bit of liquid off after I hook the hoses up. I don't know that it is enough bother to try to change the valve.

I got my AXIS in August of 2023 so just about the same manufacturing time frame.

I'm starting to wonder if it isn't maybe condensation like Ted suggested built up between dumps, but it seems like it would be cleaner fluid if it was condensation. Your right it isn't a constant leak because I've had at least a dozen full tanks and no more than the couple of ounces drain out when removing the cap. If it was a constant leak past the gate valve that whole area between the gate valve to the cap would be full I'd figure.

 

[PreCambrian]

I have been having a similar problem. I bought one of these but haven’t installed it yet. It is a clear sewer cap (so you can see if you have a leak) and a small hose connection with cap so you can do as 16ACE27 (drain it into the sewer hose) suggested but just a little easier.

VALTERRA T1020-1CLR Waste Valve Cap - 3" with Capped 3/4" GHT, Clear, Bulk https://a.co/d/7UDI0hh

I hope the link works.

 

[david_reaves]

I have been having a similar problem. I bought one of these but haven’t installed it yet. It is a clear sewer cap (so you can see if you have a leak) and a small hose connection with cap so you can do as 16ACE27 (drain it into the sewer hose) suggested but just a little easier.

After I saw your link I though, "What a great idea!" I ended up buying this, though, since it includes your great idea plus easier access.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077Y3JQXZ/

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