This was one of the things I'd sure hope never leaked... Today I was sitting outside reading and noticed an infrequent drip under the FW. Because of the enclosed under-carriage it was a 30 minute job to even expose the source of the leak. For the obvious reasons I'm sure it's the black tank, however the actual source is much less obvious.
I've got the tank and gate valve exposed now and nothing seems to be leaking. However... I had not drained the tank in a while and just the other day I wondered how I might see when just too full was too full. (The sensor reads full the first time I use it)
It's drained now and exposed. Not exactly sure what I'm looking for though. Are there vents on the top that leak when full (that seems odd). Maybe a screw was run into the top and only drips at a certain level? Do they crack? Maybe a fitting on the very top? It was a very small amount of liquid collected and dripping... but it's not something I want leaking even a little.
Not sure what to do next (but whatever it is, I'm SURE not looking forward to it)
Dave Lindemulder
Tammy, Mark & Kirsten
04 Dodge 2500 4x4 SLT QC/SB
HO-CTD/48RE - Graphite: Raptor SS nerfs, Prodigy, Reese 16K Kwik-slide, BD X-Monitor, PML Trans pan, PML Diff cover, Firestone Airbags
09 Heartland Cyclone 3210
There is no test to detect leak except for what Sandy mention above. Put a couple of garbage bags on the ground so you can see exactly where the leak is coming from and your camping neighbour will appreciate it.
Anyhow here is a handy tip in case your sensor stop working.
Once in a while you may also want to try this method to clean out any hardened residue. (This is borrowed from the RV-FAQ, which is posted each month to a number of RV user groups.)
Here is a tried and true method of cleaning the Black Water Tank, sort of invented by a roadside cafe waitress in the 50's. When that waitress burnt the bottom of the glass coffee pot, no amount of scrubbing would get it clean quickly. The waitress simply put in some ice cubes in the pot, swirled it around, and voila, clean coffee pot! The same method will work to clean the inside of the black water tank.
Start with the tank empty. Fill it with water just below the first sensor's level. Then add 3-4 bags of department store ice cubes through the toilet. Drive the vehicle immediately for 10-15 minutes, ensuring you go up and down hills to swirl the ice around. The movement of the cubes will clean stuck toilet paper and feces from the sensors, and give the tank a great scrub without damaging the seals or costing a lot of money (about $3). Those commercial sensor cleaners cost over $10 and don't work very well. The bleach method does not scrub and that's what you need to clean the sensors. Give it a try.
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