Tapping a lubricating hole into a Valterra valve

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Tapping a lubricating hole into a Valterra valve

July 06, 2020, 01:31:00 am

My gray water valve has gotten very sticky and hard to operate lately so I was considering disassembling then cleaning/lubricating. I do confess replacing with a new valve had its own appeal. The I came across this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GDErKY05-8

Drilling a hole in the valve body to allow a Teflon lubricant access seems brilliant to me. Think I will give it a try.

Steve

Re: Tapping a lubricating hole into a Valterra valve

Reply #1 – July 06, 2020, 07:50:16 am

I did that years ago to both black/gray valves on our RB. I used WD40 or silicone lube. I also used a stainless #10 screw plug. Whenever the black tank valve started getting sluggish I just re-sprayed with the lube. Never had a problem with the gray valve. I did replace the plastic pull handles with a metal flat rod (1/2" x 1/8" x 4") handle. I will do the same with the new RB valves after we take delivery this fall.

Re: Tapping a lubricating hole into a Valterra valve

Reply #2 – July 06, 2020, 11:35:13 am

Drill the valves and give the lube a chance to do it work, it cures the problem most of the time.
I have seen either grease fitting installed or a hole sealed with a screw, as suggested by Mike.
Even with lube, the valves can be hard to operate if too much crud has got into the valve's tracks, either prevents the valve from completely sealing or is hard still to move.
The old valves can be dissembled for deeper cleaning and lubrication and can be reused or to keep as spares, if replaced.

Larry

Re: Tapping a lubricating hole into a Valterra valve

Reply #3 – November 06, 2020, 02:47:37 pm

I finally did this and it worked perfectly!

I actually didn't wait until after I dumped my tanks to begin the process because my black tank valve handle was taking most of my body weight to open and I was afraid I was going to break it (and maybe my rear end).

The afternoon before I was ready to dump, I drilled the holes, filled them with WD40 then added the screw. Just before dumping, I added more WD40 and with just a little extra effort, I was able to open the back tank valve. After the dump, I opened and closed the valves several times, and everything worked smoothly. The gray tank valve has always been fine but I followed the same procedure anyway

Thanks, 73gitane for posting this video!

Re: Tapping a lubricating hole into a Valterra valve

Reply #4 – November 06, 2020, 03:33:19 pm

Quote from: debinvenice - November 06, 2020, 02:47:37 pm

The afternoon before I was ready to dump, I drilled the holes, filled them with WD40 then added the screw. Just before dumping, I added more WD40 and with just a little extra effort, I was able to open the back tank valve. After the dump, I opened and closed the valves several times, and everything worked smoothly. The gray tank valve has always been fine but I followed the same procedure anyway

WD-40 is very poor lubricant, it's more of a cleaner, it helped loosen the sticky shaft but it isn't a long-term cure.
I would remove the screw, now that the valve works easily, and fill with a liquid lithium grease in and then reseal.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Blaster-11-oz-High-Performance-White-Lithium-Grease-16-LG/202529735
https://www.homedepot.com/p/WD-40-SPECIALIST-10-oz-White-Lithium-Grease-30061/311360785

Any big-box hardware or auto parts store will have some type of spray grease. The type isn't critical but it needs to be a long-lasting lubricant

Larry.

Re: Tapping a lubricating hole into a Valterra valve

Reply #5 – November 06, 2020, 03:53:55 pm

Thanks, Larry!

Re: Tapping a lubricating hole into a Valterra valve

Reply #6 – November 06, 2020, 05:12:34 pm

Thanks for the reminder, Deb. Something else to add to my "do these improvements soon" list.

Re: Tapping a lubricating hole into a Valterra valve

Reply #7 – November 06, 2020, 06:31:28 pm

Debinvenice, good to hear that worked well for you. I did it after I broke the plastic handle😁 Have since replaced the plastic handle with a metal one.

Re: Tapping a lubricating hole into a Valterra valve

Reply #8 – November 10, 2020, 09:11:16 am

I should do this too— I did replace both gray & black valves in 2017, but the gray isn’t a smooth pull anymore!
Daryl

Re: Tapping a lubricating hole into a Valterra valve

Reply #9 – November 10, 2020, 10:53:26 am

So far, 12 years fulltiming, I haven't found the need to drill a hole. After some time, my handles do get "sticky". When that happens, the next time I dump, with the handle out all the way, I put a dab of vaseline on my finger and work it onto the handle. I slide the handle in and out a few times, and the valve then works easily and smoothly.

Larry mentioned the tracks getting gunky. Yep, they can. Every few months, after dumping, with the valve open I use a scrub brush to clean the tracks. I do not use a cleaner, just water. I then dry the tracks with a few paper towels, then put a film of vaseline on my finger and work a thin amount along the two tracks. I then work the valve back and forth.

I have replaced the black tank valve once and the grey tank valve once. Both were damaged by my mis-use of a tank cleaner. The instructions called for dissolving the cleaner in warm water, then dumping into the tank. I was not able to get the material to fully dissolve, so I dumped it in. The particulate cleaner settled onto the seals, damaging them.

Bottom line, for me, is it doesn't take a lot of time or effort to keep the valves working nicely. It DOES take periodic care.

Ken F in NM

Re: Tapping a lubricating hole into a Valterra valve

Reply #10 – November 10, 2020, 11:58:58 am

To complicate matters a bit, Larry is exactly right when he says the WD-40 isn't a good lubricant. For years, WD-40 was the main product sold by the company.

Now the WD-40 company sells all kinds of very good long term lubricants with the name WD-40 on the can. For example: https://www.wd40.com/products/white-lithium-grease/

So, just seeing the name 'WD-40' on the can doesn't tell you much these days. The world keeps getting more complicated...

Rich

Re: Tapping a lubricating hole into a Valterra valve

Reply #11 – November 10, 2020, 12:08:22 pm

Like Ken says, Vaseline on the handle and on the valve blade. I clean out the valve slots with a toothbrush. I also put Vaseline on the cap gasket and on the tube the cap goes on to make it easy to remove and put back on. About twice a year is all that is needed.

I did not say whose toothbrush to use.

Re: Tapping a lubricating hole into a Valterra valve

Reply #12 – November 10, 2020, 01:25:36 pm

The WD-40 company spray was originally used to displace water by coating with a light greasy kerosene, hence the Water Displacement, (WD), the fourtieth formulation worked the best. Use on a hinge or such that already has grease on it will spread the grease around for good lubrication, but by itself isn't good for sole usage. It can be handy to find squeaks quickly, and when the location is determined, then other more permanent greases can be applied. I've heard that it can damage aluminum, so I avoid getting it just anywhere. It does a good job keeping the sewer caps easy to remove and replace. Also I spray some inside the closed gate valve before putting the caps back on.
I guess I could use an expired rotary toothbrush. One use for sewer valve cleaning would qualify for permanent disposal! RonB

Re: Tapping a lubricating hole into a Valterra valve

Reply #13 – November 10, 2020, 01:40:50 pm

I like to use this version of WD-40 for things that need lubricating:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/WD-40-SPECIALIST-11-oz-Specialist-Silicone-300012/204500174

Re: Tapping a lubricating hole into a Valterra valve

Reply #14 – November 10, 2020, 09:26:28 pm

Quote from: Don Malpas - November 10, 2020, 12:08:22 pm

I did not say whose toothbrush to use.

LMAO!! 🤣

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