Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Lazy Daze Forums => Lazy Daze General Info & Discussions => Topic started by: pdl2win on June 25, 2025, 12:02:49 pm

Title: Emptying my black and gray tanks
Post by: pdl2win on June 25, 2025, 12:02:49 pm
When I go to empty my tanks and remove the cap, about 1-1.5 cups of liquid spills out.....no other issues with my tanks.....can anyone point me in the right direction? 

Thanks,

Bill
Title: Re: Emptying my black and gray tanks
Post by: RonB on June 25, 2025, 12:22:19 pm
Hi Bill;  It looks like one of your tanks has a leaking gate valve, and what leaks by gets contained by the seal on the outlet cap(s).  Does your 30' have a combined gray/black water dump at one location?
   The gate valves can leak if the four corner bolts are too loose. Also the gaskets can wear after quite a while of use and allow leakage.  You could try tightening the bolts just a little on the offending gate valve, to see if that helps.
  RonB
Title: Re: Emptying my black and gray tanks
Post by: Jaxon on June 25, 2025, 12:40:31 pm
When I go to empty my tanks and remove the cap, about 1-1.5 cups of liquid spills out.....no other issues with my tanks.....can anyone point me in the right direction? 
Thanks,
Bill 

Probably just need to replace one (or both), dump valves.  Over time, the seals deteriorate and begin to leak.  Fairly simple job but MAKE SURE both grey and black tanks are empty before removing the valves!  Plenty of YouTube videos on "how to".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2OWEL5VQpE

This listing is for example only - I haven't ordered anything from these guys before.
Valterra RV Holding Tank Dump Valve with Plastic Handle 3 In. (https://www.rvpartscenter.com/product/holding-tank-dump-valve-with-plastic-handle-3-inch-valterra-t1003-vp/)
Good luck!
Title: Re: Emptying my black and gray tanks
Post by: pdl2win on June 25, 2025, 03:01:36 pm
Probably just need to replace one (or both), dump valves.  Over time, the seals deteriorate and begin to leak.  Fairly simple job but MAKE SURE both grey and black tanks are empty before removing the valves!  Plenty of YouTube videos on "how to".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2OWEL5VQpE

This listing is for example only - I haven't ordered anything from these guys before.
Valterra RV Holding Tank Dump Valve with Plastic Handle 3 In. (https://www.rvpartscenter.com/product/holding-tank-dump-valve-with-plastic-handle-3-inch-valterra-t1003-vp/)
Good luck!

I'm in the middle of my annual "LarryW" enzyme deep clean........once I finish that take care of this...thanks for the help
Title: Re: Emptying my black and gray tanks
Post by: pdl2win on June 25, 2025, 03:03:05 pm
Hi Bill;  It looks like one of your tanks has a leaking gate valve, and what leaks by gets contained by the seal on the outlet cap(s).  Does your 30' have a combined gray/black water dump at one location?
   The gate valves can leak if the four corner bolts are too loose. Also the gaskets can wear after quite a while of use and allow leakage.  You could try tightening the bolts just a little on the offending gate valve, to see if that helps.
  RonB

Thanks Ron...yep the gray/black valves empty through the same exit point.....I'll tighten the bolts as you recommended!!
Title: Re: Emptying my black and gray tanks
Post by: RonB on June 25, 2025, 05:36:05 pm
Just a note Bill; If you tighten them too much it will be hard to get them open to dump, and possibly even harder to close them again, which could leave you in a real predicament. I've even had to loosen them for winter, so I would have an easier time getting the valves open and closed. (The bolts change length to shorter when cold and are harder to open/close, and the rubber seals are stiffer when cold, making it harder to slide open/closed).     RonB
Title: Re: Emptying my black and gray tanks
Post by: pdl2win on June 25, 2025, 05:40:02 pm
Just a note Bill; If you tighten them too much it will be hard to get them open to dump, and possibly even harder to close them again, which could leave you in a real predicament. I've even had to loosen them for winter, so I would have an easier time getting the valves open and closed. (The bolts change length to shorter when cold and are harder to open/close, and the rubber seals are stiffer when cold, making it harder to slide open/closed).     RonB

Thanks Ron.....I'll do just a bit of micro-adjusting and see if it does the trick.....
Title: Re: Emptying my black and gray tanks
Post by: joel wiley on June 25, 2025, 06:20:50 pm
I replaced mine a couple years ago.  First the plastic handle broke, then it was hard to close - lubing helped.  I got tired of wondering "what next"  and after a good clean-out, replaced them both.

"Why is hyphenated non-hyphenated, but non-hyphenated is hyphenated?"
Title: Re: Emptying my black and gray tanks
Post by: Larry W on June 26, 2025, 12:13:23 am
If so inclined, the dump valves can be disassembled, cleaned and lubed with spray silicone, usually with success. The slot the blade pushes into can fill with debris, preventing a tight seal.

Larry
Title: Re: Emptying my black and gray tanks
Post by: RonB on June 26, 2025, 01:53:50 am
Hi Larry; I didn't know that!  I did replace the seals once. I also put in stainless screws with nyloc nuts so that they would stay consistent. I spray with WD-40 up into the sliding valve, when I dump at home, and sometimes with the valves partly open to get some 'lube' up into the sliding places.  RonB
Title: Re: Emptying my black and gray tanks
Post by: Mike Coachman on June 26, 2025, 03:13:44 pm
I learned long ago from this group that to lube the slice valves is to drill a small hole near the top of the valve housing (see photo) just big enough to insert a spray can tube. Then spray either silicone or WD40 (but not lithium grease) in the housing while working the slice back & forth will help free up the valve. Then close the hole with a small stainless screw. Repeat when needed. 
Title: Re: Emptying my black and gray tanks
Post by: StevenJill on June 27, 2025, 07:40:35 am
I learned long ago from this group that to lube the slice valves is to drill a small hole near the top of the valve housing (see photo) just big enough to insert a spray can tube. Then spray either silicone or WD40 (but not lithium grease) in the housing while working the slice back & forth will help free up the valve. Then close the hole with a small stainless screw. Repeat when needed. 
I may have to do this. I been having to lube mine up more often than I like.