Grey water tank won’t empty

[trevskoda]

Try a sink cup plunger in the shower waste hole to see if it dislodges gunk at the outlet tap, you may have to work backwards to find a fault.

 

[Greengrass]

Trotter had the same problem at Hollingworth this year we used a hose in the outlet with some rag to seal it 5 min later all clear, As they say JOB SORTED

​

 

[david how]

I went to empty my grey water tank for the first time since changing vehicle but nothing happened. I assumed I had been driving around with the drain open so I turned it to the other position assuming this was now in the closed position. After a night away in the van I went to open the drain again, and tried both positions, but again nothing happened.

I have tried putting a flexible brush through the pipe but I don’t think it could get past the second bend.

The dealer who supplied the van is 240 miles away so I would prefer to fix this myself if possible. I’m not the best at DIY but I’m open to suggestions if anyone can help.

Thanks

It could be the leaf cutter bee has laid its eggs in the pipe. That’s what i found when my drain pipe was blocked!

 

[campervanannie]

I have one of these that when mine wouldn’t empty I fed it up the pipe from the outside drain pipe and pulled out a ball of hair and food waste ( from the previous owner) worked a treat on mine.

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[mariesnowgoose]

I have one of these that when mine wouldn’t empty I fed it up the pipe from the outside drain pipe and pulled out a ball of hair and food waste ( from the previous owner) worked a treat on mine.

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Got two of those (brag, brag! ), one for the house and one for the van - a very useful bit of kit !

 

[wildebus]

I am surprised the waste tank on motorhomes gets so easily blocked up. I thought they were pretty well direct piping without traps and the like?
Probably worthwhile getting the things like the little mesh things in the shower to collect hair and the same things you use in the house then, and the unblocker bottles.

 

[Nabsim]

This is the first time you've said you checked under the van whilst running the shower. Without kowing the layout of the piping in your moho it is impossible to say if a sprung pipe would leak to the ground or to an internal compartment which happens of some vans.

Have you checked for water in the tank. It is a simple task but will greatly help diagnose the problem.

How would you check the tank unless you mean the gauge (which may or may not work? That tank looks like mine and if so it’s completely under the van and mine is insulated as well. Gauge and tap are the only way I know to check?

 

[r4dent]

How would you check the tank unless you mean the gauge (which may or may not work? That tank looks like mine and if so it’s completely under the van and mine is insulated as well. Gauge and tap are the only way I know to check?

Many vans have a trap door in the floor and a screw on/off lid.

 

[trevskoda]

Got two of those (brag, brag! ), one for the house and one for the van - a very useful bit of kit !

Also good for constipation LOL.

 

[trevskoda]

Many vans have a trap door in the floor and a screw on/off lid.

Same here for fresh and gray, I knew there would be trouble ahead, not as yet mind you.

 

[Nabsim]

Many vans have a trap door in the floor and a screw on/off lid.

My inboard clean tank has a big screw lid I can remover but no access to my grey tank, would have to take it off altogether. Don’t know about the op’s though, may have access he doesn’t know about?

 

[trevskoda]

My type of tank.

 

[campervanannie]

Got two of those (brag, brag! ), one for the house and one for the van - a very useful bit of kit !

I have Two too but I didn’t want to brag.

 

[V1nny]

The problem seems to be solved.

I used a garden hose to pump water up the waste pipe. Then I pushed a flexible brush up (very similar to the one on campervanannie’s post), followed by the garden hose again. At this point I started to get a trickle of water coming out. I used the hose again a couple of times and then went for a drive on a winding road, finishing up driving over speed bumps in town.

When I got home I opened the waste again and the water flowed out at a good rate.

Thank you all for your help and suggestions. I will put some cleaning solution in the tank and hopefully won’t have any further problems.

Thanks again for rallying round. The help is very much appreciated.

 

[Fisherman]

d

The problem seems to be solved.

I used a garden hose to pump water up the waste pipe. Then I pushed a flexible brush up (very similar to the one on campervanannie’s post), followed by the garden hose again. At this point I started to get a trickle of water coming out. I used the hose again a couple of times and then went for a drive on a winding road, finishing up driving over speed bumps in town.

When I got home I opened the waste again and the water flowed out at a good rate.

Thank you all for your help and suggestions. I will put some cleaning solution in the tank and hopefully won’t have any further problems.

Thanks again for rallying round. The help is very much appreciated.

I would now clean the tank using the appropriate chemicals. It’s more than likely if you don’t this could happen again. I would think as you have just picked the van up, proper maintenance and cleaning has not been done by the previous owner.

 

[Greengrass]

Cheap bottles of coke from Lidl will do the job six or seven or more just leave it in the tank till you go out again and then drain as normal

 

[trevskoda]

Ps, dont shave the big lad when having a shower.

 

[gasgas]

Go gently as the pipes are likely only solvent welded together.

Not in an autosleeper they aren't. They aren't glued together with anything. The pipes are just put together with no sealant, before they run uphill to the grey tank, and drip happily ever after. Disgusting build quality.
That was the case on my Nuevo anyway, others may find different.

 

[shortcircuit]

I fitted traps to all the pipes that feed into the waste tank to prevent odours coming back and all were push fit with no sealant. No leaks or odours now.

 

[mistericeman]

I fitted traps to all the pipes that feed into the waste tank to prevent odours coming back and all were push fit with no sealant. No leaks or odours now.

These Waterless traps can be useful in some situations as they work horizontal and don't need to be kept filled with, water....

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