Black tank valve failure

[jagibson58]

Any current Alliance owners particularly with an Alliance Paradigm 310RL where the black tank valve is not working properly. For the past few months the cable has been difficult to operate. What have you done to repair? And where is the location of the black tank valve under the frame area?

 

[BryanValRox]

Any current Alliance owners particularly with an Alliance Paradigm 310RL where the black tank valve is not working properly. For the past few months the cable has been difficult to operate. What have you done to repair? And where is the location of the black tank valve under the frame area?

Any chance you see a ”Patch” of material under the coach. Some have reported patches of material attached to the underbelly at the location of the valves.
If you don’t see one, a small inspection camera might help you locate it.
Another option would be to remove a couple of the fasteners holding the underbelly in place to get a feel for it’s location.

Repair options depend on what you find and range lubing the cable to valve replacement.

 

[jagibson58]

Had the black tank valve replaced today. The valve cable still seems to be stiff to open. Even lubed the cable and valve parts. I wonder if it was a waste of time?

 

[BryanValRox]

Had the black tank valve replaced today. The valve cable still seems to be stiff to open. Even lubed the cable and valve parts. I wonder if it was a waste of time?

Sometimes bad cable routing can cause the valve to be stiff. Did anyone investigate if the routing can be improved?

 

[jagibson58]

Sometimes bad cable routing can cause the valve to be stiff. Did anyone investigate if the routing can be improved?

Not yet. I will give the repair some time to work. And then possibly recontacting my tech to look at re-routing the cable if possible.

 

[jagibson58]

Just a follow up on our black tank valve replacement. The cable still seemed a bit stiff, maybe because it’s new. Rechecked cable after removing it from the valve body. We lubricated both ends of the cable. The cable seems to work better now. I am sure over time the valve seal will be more pliable over time.

 

[fireman0175]

Hi Jagibson58, I went through this. The valves do fail, but the main problem is usually the two gaskets get out of place. Also, do you use a good additive to your black tanks? The grey tanks need love also for those valves. I bought an extra valve and some extra gaskets. Ask the repair person exactly where that valve is and you can cut and access hole or remove the bottom cover. They sell cover so you could make yourself an patch door for future maintenance. If you put in the good additive to your tanks, cycle the valves quite a few times and they still are stiff, then I bet that gasket is out of place. The rest is just plastic gate valve on plastic. The cable is correct and not the issue. https://www.etrailer.com/tv-review-lasalle-bristol-cable-actuated-rv-waste-valve-34466n4ab36gm.aspx

 

[azreddot]

So we are on the road in our 2026 Avenue and also have a black tank valve issue. We have used it exactly three times. First time after a shake down trip and everything was new and seemed to work fine but I noticed some play in the cable. Since our previous trailer had a manual Valtierra gate valve I didn’t think much about the cable system.

Second time we dumped was after a week of dry camping. There was some pressure behind the terminal cap and about a cup of liquid leaked out. Again didn’t seem terribly out of the ordinary. I was able to dump and rinse the black tank and continued on our way. We made an overnight jump to our next camp. When we arrived, I went about setting up for the week. As I removed the terminal cap (the third time since taking delivery in December) to set up the sewer hose, EVERYTHING from the black tank came gushing out. 💩 Got the mess cleaned up and bought a twist on valterra valve to get us by for the time being.

After that week in camp I double checked all the valve handles were in the closed position and pulled the valterra manual and watched the black tank drain completely again. I worked the black handle several times to see if it affected the amount draining and it did not.

We found the nearest Alliance dealer along our route and made an appointment to have it looked at, unfortunately two weeks from now. I reached out to Alliance but pretty much got a standard ‘this is our warranty process’ response and at best it could be a couple days before it can be fixed once the dealer looks at it and submits paperwork.

Needless to say pretty disappointed with this failure. It seems obvious that it’s either the cable or valve and should be a straightforward fix but because its warranty the dealer has to submit paperwork and wait for approval to proceed with repairs. Which means we have to take it in for evaluation, then go to camp and wait for approval, then pack up camp and return at a later date to get it fixed. Hopefully it’s quick repair. How do other folks handle these types of disruptions while on the road when essentially you have to take your ‘home’ into the shop?

 

[jagibson58]

Solution: purchased a new black tank valve, which came with a new cable. Had our RV tech replaced just the valve and added some lube. So far, so good.

 

[Oregon_Camper]

..... How do other folks handle these types of disruptions while on the road when essentially you have to take your ‘home’ into the shop?

You could add this additional valve to point where sewer cap attaches. This is a must have in my mind, even without the problem you're having.

 

[azreddot]

You could add this additional valve to point where sewer cap attaches. This is a must have in my mind, even without the problem you're having.

Oh that was the first thing I ran out and bought after the disaster. Wish I had bought it about 24 hrs earlier. I don’t care for how low this pipe rides. I may look into shortening it a bit after this trip.

 

[azreddot]

So we managed to limp the tank and trailer to B&D RV in Vernal, UT. They found our cable was broken and routed poorly. Got the repairs approved under warranty and a new valve and cable installed. Tech said he routed it with less of a pinch. So far so good. Still looking to pick up a gargoyle along the way this summer.

Keeping the Valterra twist on valve in place for piece of mind.

 

[Midnight Rider]

Oh that was the first thing I ran out and bought after the disaster. Wish I had bought it about 24 hrs earlier. I don’t care for how low this pipe rides. I may look into shortening it a bit after this trip.

View attachment 5384

Seems close to the tire? That might just be the angle Of the picture?

 

[M and E]

Still looking to pick up a gargoyle along the way this summer.

What is a gargoyle?

 

[RockDr896]

All of my valve cables were routed above or to the side of the tanks on my 370FB, They were well above the rat nest of wires I encountered when I segmented my underbelly.

 

[2 Allies]

All of my valve cables were routed above or to the side of the tanks on my 370FB, They were well above the rat nest of wires I encountered when I segmented my underbelly.

I remember that job. Now where were you doing the work? Looks pretty nice and inside.

 

[RockDr896]

I remember that job. Now where were you doing the work? Looks pretty nice and inside.

I did the work and I have a warehouse storage unit, so it is perfect for all the projects I did this year.

 

[Flyer32RLS]

What is a gargoyle?

MandE, Gargoyle? Do you remember the old black and white horror movies? Vincent Price? Usually in those movies, they used gargoyles on the side of buildings as decorations and prominent points around the outside of the building.
Ops, I think I just gave away I'm old!!

 

[UFF]

Everybody always adds on the twist on valve. I shorten my pipe and add the glue on valve. It don’t stick out any more then the stock set up or set any lower. Just an option.

 

[Midnight Rider]

MandE, Gargoyle? Do you remember the old black and white horror movies? Vincent Price? Usually in those movies, they used gargoyles on the side of buildings as decorations and prominent points around the outside of the building.
Ops, I think I just gave away I'm old!!

Chief,
They help ward off evil spirits! That’s why they put them on the buildings in the old days. 🧐

Maybe I should mount a few on the Paradigm and one coming off the hood of the Chevy! Spook the camper gremlins away? 😂😂

Roll On!