Vacuum break/check valve for black tank flush has fallen

[RamGunner]

Janice - what's the fix for retrieving a black tank flush vacuum break/check valve that has fallen to the floor, and can't be seen, in a 2016 385TH? We rarely use it but picked up an odor the other day. Per this thread http://www.mygrandrv.com/for...1838#post71838 I checked on it.

I pulled the panel in the bathroom and can't see it, but I see the black hose from the black tank flush inlet going up the hole with the shower supply connections. I'm not sure when it fell, but I suspect it may have been some time ago. We are taking our trailer to the dealer on Tuesday for the last warranty item (a leak around the bedroom slide). If the fix is to just cut a larger hole in the bottom to reach up and get it, I can do that myself. If there is a trick to retrieving the valve I (and I'm sure others) would love to hear it.

[RamGunner]

Janice (Update) -

I just got through fishing a line down to the vacuum break/check valve so that I could try to pull it up. I think I discovered the issue.

You would think that if it had fallen, there would be "slack" in the lines going to/from it equivalent to the distance it needs to be pulled up. There isn't. It appears that it was installed right above the hole (I finally got my head in there where I could see up the hole and see inside, and the unit is sitting right on top of the hole). I suspect it was installed there right before the shower was installed.

That leads to my question. Did Grand Design change the installation of these on the 2016 Momentum 385TH, or did someone make a mistake when putting it in?

If they did, I can fix it. I'll have to enlarge the hole slightly so that I can retrieve the existing unit, and I'll need some feet (6 to 10 would be good in case I need to re-do a connection) of the two hoses, one blue and one black (Yih Chuan Ind. IAMPO TS-25-2014 1/2") used to hook it up. I'll then extend the lines up to the shower supply connections, and secure the new unit there. If this is the case, can you assist with supplying some of the needed hose? I'll replace the check valve/breaker with a better one.

[gr8daggett]

The vacuum check valve "must be installed 6" above flood rim of the highest fixture connected to the waste holding tank."

[Dave and Monica]

The vacuum check valve "must be installed 6" above flood rim of the highest fixture connected to the waste holding tank."

The second part of the instructions are interesting... "the device shall not be installed where the venting of water from the device during normal functioning will cause damage"

Dave

[RamGunner]

Then whoever installed ours really screwed up. I don't believe any water has leaked from it (no signs anyway), although we have only used the black tank flush a few times. I can tell you that none of the leaks we have observed happened anytime near when we used it, but they directly correspond with heavy rains.

The breaker/check valve unit is literally sitting right on top of the hole where the shower supply lines and connections for it go through the floor. I can feel it from underneath, and there is not sufficient slack in the supply line or the outlet from it for it to have ever been secured in the proper location.

Janice, I'll send you a PM with my address (it should already be on file) for those hose sections to fix this.

Just an FYI for anyone wondering - I've checked Home Depot, Lowes, and some local places, and no one seems to sell that flexible hose that I've requested from Janice, that Grand Design used in our trailer.

[Cate&Rob]

[QUOTE=RamGunner;71852
Just an FYI for anyone wondering - I've checked Home Depot, Lowes, and some local places, and no one seems to sell that flexible hose that I've requested from Janice, that Grand Design used in our trailer.[/QUOTE]

RamGunner,

Our black tank flush appears to be plumbed with regular Pex tubing (in black). It does not feel any more flexible than the other Pex lines. I wonder if the leaks that some have experienced are another case of using Pex fittings and clamps with non-Pex tubing ? I am also not a fan of the plastic Pex fittings. I have not gone through and replaced all (as mentioned elsewhere in this discussion) but whenever I have something apart, I use brass fittings on the re-assembly.

Rob

[GDRV Service]

Janice - what's the fix for retrieving a black tank flush vacuum break/check valve that has fallen to the floor, and can't be seen, in a 2016 385TH? We rarely use it but picked up an odor the other day. Per this thread http://www.mygrandrv.com/for...1838#post71838 I checked on it.

I pulled the panel in the bathroom and can't see it, but I see the black hose from the black tank flush inlet going up the hole with the shower supply connections. I'm not sure when it fell, but I suspect it may have been some time ago. We are taking our trailer to the dealer on Tuesday for the last warranty item (a leak around the bedroom slide). If the fix is to just cut a larger hole in the bottom to reach up and get it, I can do that myself. If there is a trick to retrieving the valve I (and I'm sure others) would love to hear it.

Hi @RamGunner,

I've taken the liberty of asking our Customer Support to contact you. Or if it is more convenient for you please feel free to contact your RV dealer, or our Customer Support directly by phoning (574) 825-9679 or emailing [email protected], for assistance.

Best regards,
~ Janice

[GDRV Service]

Janice (Update) -

I just got through fishing a line down to the vacuum break/check valve so that I could try to pull it up. I think I discovered the issue.

You would think that if it had fallen, there would be "slack" in the lines going to/from it equivalent to the distance it needs to be pulled up. There isn't. It appears that it was installed right above the hole (I finally got my head in there where I could see up the hole and see inside, and the unit is sitting right on top of the hole). I suspect it was installed there right before the shower was installed.

That leads to my question. Did Grand Design change the installation of these on the 2016 Momentum 385TH, or did someone make a mistake when putting it in?

If they did, I can fix it. I'll have to enlarge the hole slightly so that I can retrieve the existing unit, and I'll need some feet (6 to 10 would be good in case I need to re-do a connection) of the two hoses, one blue and one black (Yih Chuan Ind. IAMPO TS-25-2014 1/2") used to hook it up. I'll then extend the lines up to the shower supply connections, and secure the new unit there. If this is the case, can you assist with supplying some of the needed hose? I'll replace the check valve/breaker with a better one.

Hi @RamGunner,

Parts/information requests should be made directly to our Customer Support. Please discuss this with them when they contact you (or you contact them).

Thank you in advance...

Best regards,
~ Janice

[RamGunner]

Well, after the morning I'm having that answer is par for the course. Got to the dealer - scheduled appointment about a month ago for a leak. Parts not there - weren't ordered until the 29th. Telling us several days for the work to be performed. Full-timing with a 10 month old, that's not good news.

I've defended Grand Design on a lot of things. I still really want to believe. This particular problem is simply the result of piss poor workmanship. There is hard PEX (Blue) from the valve to the tank flush. It's not flexible, meaning that the guy that installed it really did just put it on the floor. There is black flexible hose from the inlet to the inlet side of the valve. There's not enough slack in either for it to have ever been mounted higher.

I may have to just get the parts myself and fix this. On top of the hotel bill for next few days....

If anyone knows a source for the flexible hose, let me know.

[RamGunner]

I posted an update at http://www.momentumgunner.com/momentum_project.html for those interested. I appreciate the comments that have been e-mailed.