Re: [A/S] Black Tank Valve

[Charlie/Betty Burke <cbburke@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hunter,

You likely have "something" stuck it the blade slot in the valve. The most 
common time it happens is when one is putting their coach away for the 
season or a long period. We tend to get in a hurry and not do an extra rinse 
of the tank. Once the problem dries in the valve it is more difficult to 
remove, although sometimes a full tank rinse will get it.
The valves on a coach of your age are actually much easier to get to than 
days past. Take a look underneath inboard of the valve handles. You should 
see a screwed on metal plate. Removing this plate allows full access to the 
valves. Airstream builds up the double valve assembly and then attaches that 
to the two tank outlets with flexible clamp on fittings. By detaching the 
extension handles and the valve assembly the whole thing can be removed from 
the coach for cleaning or whatever. It ain't pretty work but it's not nearly 
the nightmare of the old rear bath setups.
I would not be inclined to replace the valves unless you have inspected it 
first. At $40 or so bucks a pop I would want to be sure. Replacing the 
Thetford valve with a less expensive one would require replacing the entire 
assembly as it is glued together.

Charlie