The handles on the black and gray water outlets can stick tightly. They also can stand some hard pulling. Put your foot on the assembly or have someone else push against the assembly so that all the pulling pressure is on the handle. If you get it part way out, try spraying it with WD-40 or carburetor cleaner and let it penetrate. After I got mine unstuck, I coated the rod with lithium grease. However, it still gets tight and I need to apply lithium grease periodically. I don't know why they should get so tight.
And when you break the plastic handle like I did, replace it with aluminum. Was this stuck after a long winter storage? Will soapy water dumped from the top help? I think mine just dried out over the winter.
I was working on a Blackwater Valve this weekend, also. Such fun. Turned out that 2 of the 4 steel bolts that go through the valve body and flanges were extremely rusted. The bolts swelled up from the rust and deformed the valve body & seals. The valve was beyond repair. I'm going to change both valves out and install stainless bolts and nylock nuts.
A word of caution. Valve manufacturers Lasalle Bristol, Camco and Valterra warn not to spray WD 40 on any of the internal surfaces of the valve. It will remove lubricant from the seals. They recommend only using a silicone spray lube.
The handles on the black and gray water outlets can stick tightly. They also can stand some hard pulling. Put your foot on the assembly or have someone else push against the assembly so that all the pulling pressure is on the handle. If you get it part way out, try spraying it with WD-40 or carburetor cleaner and let it penetrate. After I got mine unstuck, I coated the rod with lithium grease. However, it still gets tight and I need to apply lithium grease periodically. I don't know why they should get so tight.
And when you break the plastic handle like I did, replace it with aluminum. Was this stuck after a long winter storage? Will soapy water dumped from the top help? I think mine just dried out over the winter.
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I was working on a Blackwater Valve this weekend, also. Such fun. Turned out that 2 of the 4 steel bolts that go through the valve body and flanges were extremely rusted. The bolts swelled up from the rust and deformed the valve body & seals. The valve was beyond repair. I'm going to change both valves out and install stainless bolts and nylock nuts.
A word of caution. Valve manufacturers Lasalle Bristol, Camco and Valterra warn not to spray WD 40 on any of the internal surfaces of the valve. It will remove lubricant from the seals. They recommend only using a silicone spray lube.