Fresh Water Dump Valve Repair
After sanitizing the freshwater system, the drainpipe on the holding tank developed a slight leak. My first Instinct was that the cable had slipped past the set screw and the valve wasn't closing completely. After crawling under the coach, removing the inspection cover, and adjusting the cable, the leak only got worse. Each time the valve was opened and closed more and more water flowed out. This could mean only one thing; The valve seals are shot and need replacing. As a temporary fix, I cut a circle out of an old section of innertube and with it and a hose clamp, covered and sealed the end of the drainpipe. This held until I got my hands on some new seals.
As a full-timer all my repairs are done in the field, so repairing the valve seals had to wait until we were parked on a concrete pad. Once I had the coach on a good surface the challenge of getting the valve out was starting to look rather daunting. The valve assembly is attached to the tank via a 1 1/2" PVC O'Ring union but it is very difficult to grip. I managed to remove it but not without inflicting pain to my neck, elbow, knees and back. This may not be a problem for you if you are some kind of contortionist. It may have been easier to remove all the bolts holding up the bottom plate but that could be what is holding the tank in place. Once the assembly was on the bench, that would be a picnic table, replacing the seals was simple. Reattaching it to the tank went better but not without more contorting the body into unnatural shapes. But, after all the difficulty, no more dripping under the coach.
A last thought, on close inspection, the old seals look as though a harsh chemical had eroded their surfaces. I'm thinking my sanitizing pleach solution was to strong.
As a full-timer all my repairs are done in the field, so repairing the valve seals had to wait until we were parked on a concrete pad. Once I had the coach on a good surface the challenge of getting the valve out was starting to look rather daunting. The valve assembly is attached to the tank via a 1 1/2" PVC O'Ring union but it is very difficult to grip. I managed to remove it but not without inflicting pain to my neck, elbow, knees and back. This may not be a problem for you if you are some kind of contortionist. It may have been easier to remove all the bolts holding up the bottom plate but that could be what is holding the tank in place. Once the assembly was on the bench, that would be a picnic table, replacing the seals was simple. Reattaching it to the tank went better but not without more contorting the body into unnatural shapes. But, after all the difficulty, no more dripping under the coach.
A last thought, on close inspection, the old seals look as though a harsh chemical had eroded their surfaces. I'm thinking my sanitizing pleach solution was to strong.
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