Re: [a/s] Drain valve

[Chris Bryant <bryantrv@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Lee,
	I'm not familiar with a '98- the "newest" A/S I've done drain valve on is
an '85, but I do not think that they have changed that much (famous last
words!).

	The first thing I would try, before tearing appart anything, is to (while
hooked up to sewer) try filling the tank fairly full, and opertaing the
slide several times while dumping- the valves usually last quite a bit
longer than 2 years. It may just be that something is lodged in it keeping
it from closing all the way.

	If that doesn't help, I would try to see how much of the belly you have to
remove beore cutting a hole- the '85 (center bath- which makes a
difference) was fairly easy to drop. The valves are held in by 4 bolts, and
on this particulay one, the pipes that went into the tanks were not glued,
so all I had to do is loosen a couple of big hose clamps, and slide the
pipes into the tanks about 1/4-1/2" .

	If you do have to cut the pipe, you can get a "No-Hub coupling" at the
hardare store that is basically a rubber tube with hose clamps that fits
over the cut pipe. This was the recommended procedure back when A/S used
Thetford brand dump valves that were glued into the system (AFAIK, they use
Valterra brand now).

	If the valve is shot, you may want to consider changing them both while
you are in there.

	Good luck- that's not a job I especially enjoy!

________
	
	Chris Bryant
	Bryant RV Services
	DeLand, Florida
	mailto:bryantrv@totcon.com