Cold Weather = broken kitchen drain valve handle

[tjbristle]

Hello!

Long story short....after weeks of sub freezing weather, I went to close the kitchen drain valve which is located (not with the other shut off valves on my 390 MP Paradigm) under the rig by the frame. I pushed it in and the handle bent immediately; and then snapped off. I wasn't even pushing that hard! Non-the-less, anyone have this experience? Do you know if the handle / rod unscrews and can then just screw a new handle on? Or do I have to get access into the belly wrap and fix it that way??? grrr at least it is broken in the open position....

 

[Lantley]

Are you referring to kitchen grey tank valve?

 

[BryanValRox]

Hello!

Long story short....after weeks of sub freezing weather, I went to close the kitchen drain valve which is located (not with the other shut off valves on my 390 MP Paradigm) under the rig by the frame. I pushed it in and the handle bent immediately; and then snapped off. I wasn't even pushing that hard! Non-the-less, anyone have this experience? Do you know if the handle / rod unscrews and can then just screw a new handle on? Or do I have to get access into the belly wrap and fix it that way??? grrr at least it is broken in the open position....

If I am following you correctly, I believe the Tee Handle is held in place by a pin and the locknut is used to prevent it from pivoting. I have had to tighten my lock nuts several times to ensure the handle remains solid.

 

[Socal-Paul]

The ones I have had the not so pleasure to play with just unscrew worse case you may have to take the valve apart. My thought is it was frozen in the open position which is why it bent/broke. I would just wait for better weather, if that is not an option a hair dryer and a little patience will defrost the valve. Be careful not to melt or deform the plastic.

 

[tjbristle]

Are you referring to kitchen grey tank valve?

Yes that is correct

 

[tjbristle]

The ones I have had the not so pleasure to play with just unscrew worse case you may have to take the valve apart. My thought is it was frozen in the open position which is why it bent/broke. I would just wait for better weather, if that is not an option a hair dryer and a little patience will defrost the valve. Be careful not to melt or deform the plastic.

Yes it froze in open position

 

[tjbristle]

If I am following you correctly, I believe the Tee Handle is held in place by a pin and the locknut is used to prevent it from pivoting. I have had to tighten my lock nuts several times to ensure the handle remains solid.

Yes I have had to tighten all the valve lock nuts several times. So if it goes through the beam inside the enclosed underbelly, how to I remove it?

 

[BryanValRox]

Yes I have had to tighten all the valve lock nuts several times. So if it goes through the beam inside the enclosed underbelly, how to I remove it?

Well that failure will require a cable replacement. You will need to get into the belly of the beast, locate the valve and disconnect the cable at the valve and remove it at the end you are showing as well. This will allow you to remove and replace the entire cable assembly.

 

[tjbristle]

Ugh I was afraid of that … I wonder if that valve had been placed inside the compartment with the others if, being out of the elements, it would be less likely to break. Hmmm just a thought …

 

[BryanValRox]

Ugh I was afraid of that … I wonder if that valve had been placed inside the compartment with the others if, being out of the elements, it would be less likely to break. Hmmm just a thought …

Well,I think sub zero temperature might be to blame here. Any moisture inside that cable housing likely froze and seized the cable. Or the valve blade has frozen in place or both. IMHO, you can’t protect against every possible senerio

 

[Lantley]

Ugh I was afraid of that … I wonder if that valve had been placed inside the compartment with the others if, being out of the elements, it would be less likely to break. Hmmm just a thought …

The actual valve is located at the kitchen grey tank. It is not in the same location as the other waste valve handles or the other waste tanks.
It is in a separate location for a reason. The handle is located on its own in order to have a closer and more direct access to the kitchen grey tank.
Being located in the open on the beam does expose the handle to more moisture and the elements vs. being located in the Nautilus panel.
As mentioned something likely froze and broke. The fix is not that hard, but removing the chloroplast is a pain,but doable.