Comments on: Gray and Black water tank cleaning.

By: stephen

stephen — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:05:11 +0000

I bought a 40 sierra cbra 2 years ago it sits in a aprk. I have no mannual how do I nd clese levers for black and grey water no one told me how to do correctly??? Help

By: Tom Bender

Tom Bender — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:31:27 +0000

I always install a tank rinser in my black water tank. About $30 and an hour labor if you can read and follow directions. Need drill and drill bits, and a screwdriver.
Good luck

By: TommyT

TommyT — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 21:33:59 +0000

Linda, you may have to get one of the clear plastic elbow fittings that connects to the sewer outlet (between the outlet and the hose) and includes a fitting to attach a garden hose to in order to backflush the system. They have a fitting that prevents any backflushing into the gray hose. If there’s much build up at the black water valve, you might need the reverse pressure to “shake” everything loose. I’ve only had to do it once, but it sure made life easier, and cleaner.
Are you sure that the valve’s shaft hasn’t disconnected from the valve plate? I just replaced the valve on mine because the shaft pulled loose from the valve plate (door). I got it open by removing the “T” handle from the shaft, reversing the shaft (so that the threads went into the valve housing first), and , using pressure and pliers, managed to screw the shaft into the plastic plate. Then, I was able to get the valve open so that I could drain and flush the tank and replace the valve assembly. But, I’d recommend trying everything else before removing the valve!! The entire process was very unpleasant.

By: Bill Gotthelf

Bill Gotthelf — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:32:06 +0000

Linda if you fill tank about 1/2 to 2/3 of the way full, add about a 1/2 cup of detergent and drive around. Iit should loosen up the buildup you have from keeping the valve open. You may have to do this more than once. After it starts flowing again fill the tank completely with water adding 4 ounces of one of the “green” black water tank additives. If you let sit for awhile (days) and then drain you should be back to normal.

By: Linda C

Linda C — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:08:26 +0000

Help please. Our black water tank is not emptying. Unfortunately we were not told to make sure the tank was 2/3 before empyting. What do we do now? The valve to empty it opens and closes fine. Might we fill it to 2/3 and then drive it around and try again or do have to start taking things apart?

By: William Gotthelf

William Gotthelf — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 01:21:37 +0000

Getup’ngo usually builtin tank flushing systems usually do rotate in the tank. They are usually mounted high on the tank so as to be subjected to the least amount of buildup. Camping supply houses sell a wand that has a rotating head with fine jets of water that spray out to help clean out tanks also. You hook up a hose to the end and put it down into the tank through the toilet. They do a very good job.

By: beverly

beverly — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:05:32 +0000

we are thinking on buying a winabago 27ft cambera…any complaints anyone have

By: MooseLodgeRV1

MooseLodgeRV1 — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:46:13 +0000

Black water valve closing problems can be minimized by leaving the valve open a short time after the black water tank has emptied and fill the toilet with clean water and flush. Doing this once or twice each time you “dump” BEFORE closing the black water valve will help assure all solids are flushed by the valve — allowing it to totally close – and help avoid it sticking.

By: Getup'ngo

Getup'ngo — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:19:00 +0000

My MH has a black tank flushing system. Due to an unbeknownst-to-me problem with a black tank valve that won’t completely close, I developed a lot of sludge. I’m trying to clear out more of the buildup each time I dump the tank. When I attach a hose & turn the water on, the tank flushing system sounds like it uses a rotating spray. Is that what it’s doing? I’d like to know more about the internal tank mechanics. Anyone?

By: William Gotthelf

William Gotthelf — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 02:11:08 +0000

FullTimerNormie make sure you let the black water tank fill before you dump it and use a good enzymatic additive to help break down solids. These generally do a good job of keeping the tank fairly clean. You can also buy a wand that attaches to a hose and is placed into the tank thru the toilet connection. This uses water pressure to help keep the walls clean in the tank. There are also attchments that you can buy that attach to the dump connection and have a builtin hose connection. These again use water pressure to back flush the black water tank. Some campers come with a tank sprayer built in to make flushing even easier.
As far as the gray water tank let it fill up and use the same defoamer I talked about above. Use that for a tank full and the next tank full add a box of baking soda. Let each stand for a few hours before dumping.