Grey Water Tank Access (2 Viewers)

[namwaldog]

I am trying to clean out my Grey water tank and associated feeds on our 2004 Lunar Roadstar 720. On the bottom of the tank there is what looks like a screw-on hatch cover ( see image) which looks as though it should screw off in order to gain access to the tank. I have tried gentle hand pressure to unscrew this with no success and before I get the big hammer out was wondering if anyone else had had and dealings with this type of fitting?

 

[scotjimland]

it has lugs on the side to facilitate removal.. try hitting with a soft mallet.. it should shift .. eventually

failing that, can you gain access from above to insert a hose to flush out the tank ?

 

[hilldweller]

it has lugs on the side to facilitate removal.. try hitting with a soft mallet.

Y0u wrecker !

Some half inch ply, a jigsaw and make a key.

Or one of those chain wrenches use to remove oil filters. Maybe even a spider oil filter remover.

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[Mikey RV]

Are you turning it the right way. Not being rude just a suggestion.

 

[Badknee]

Y0u wrecker !

Some half inch ply, a jigsaw and make a key.

Tchhh, good idea but you take all the fun out of it!
If it won't move with the hammer you have .......... Get a bigger hammer!

 

[The Wino]

Before you get the big hammer out think how much you want to clean it against how much hassle it will be if the thread splits when you hit it ......twist or stick

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[namwaldog]

Thanks for the replies. I dont know if it is an age thing or not but when I get under the MH with my face directly underneath the red 'cap' with both hands on the lugs my mind is telling me that I should turn it anti-clockwise as though I am holding a steering wheel when turning left but that just doesn't feel right (or perhaps its the fear of the non liquid contents of the tank going all over my face )
I think, as Jim suggests, it may be easier to disconnect one of the inlet hoses and the outlet hose and just shove a running hosepipe in for a while.

 

[Badknee]

An oil filter removal tool, chain or strap might do it if it's not too big perhaps or as Brian says make a key. At least it will be at arms length when it comes off.

 

[Bobby22]

It should turn by hand, i have used this to access the gauge for cleaning. It will move just put a bit of oomph into it.

It actually looks easier to do than mine, which is recessed.

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[GWAYGWAY]

If you REALLY want to get it off then it is entirely what position you take when undoing it.
Lie directly under it with you chest below the point and hold the plug with two hand one either side grasp and twist sharply, using a lot of body english, bearing in mind how resistant it was. I can now GUARANTEE it will drop open the moment you twist it.
The tank probably has a load of greasy smelly slime in it which will stink and very adherent to everything.
Go on you know it makes sense.

 

[tonyidle]

Thanks for the replies. I dont know if it is an age thing or not but when I get under the MH with my face directly underneath the red 'cap' with both hands on the lugs my mind is telling me that I should turn it anti-clockwise as though I am holding a steering wheel when turning left but that just doesn't feel right (or perhaps its the fear of the non liquid contents of the tank going all over my face )
I think, as Jim suggests, it may be easier to disconnect one of the inlet hoses and the outlet hose and just shove a running hosepipe in for a while.

Clockwise is the correct direction - anti-clockwise to tighten!!

 

[Ethle the wondervan]

Clockwise is the correct direction - anti-clockwise to tighten!!

Eh? Are you sure? It could be the other way round!

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[tonyidle]

Eh? Are you sure? It could be the other way round!

On your back looking up at it it's clockwise - just the same as undoing a nut or bolt.

 

[Ethle the wondervan]

Clockwise to tighten, unless it's a left hand fred.

 

[Mr Ed]

Please tell us (in all the glory details) how this goes,we do like a laff.

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[Ethle the wondervan]

Please tell us (in all the glory details) how this goes,we do like a laff.

Oi! We've got a serious technackerlogigal problem to solve 'ere!
Ohhhh! Now I've lost me thread, pffff, thread! Get It?

 

[Mikey RV]

Turn right to make things tight
Turn left to undo and get covered in poo.
Good luck.

 

[rosalan]

With a short length of flexible cord, fastened around the red thingy, turn it ANTI-clockwise. Grit and other road detritus will have entered part of the thread, adding to the resistance you feel. This can easily be overcome by attaching a lever to the cord; a six foot scaffold pole may help. If the whole tank comes away, it will give you so much better access.

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[bernardfeay]

Sounds like a job you might regret starting. It's grey water after all.

 

[scotjimland]

don't be a wimp man.. hit it with a mallet .. ANTI CLOCKWISE .. that's what the lugs are for.. it's not going to break.. trust me, I'm a doctor

I can also provide CAK tanks contact details..

 

[Motorhome Muppets]

Righty - tighty, lefty - loosey

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[Badknee]

Has he got out of the decontamination unit yet?

 

[TheCaller]

Lying underneath looking up at it is no different to removing the tank & turning it upside down on the bench so you are looking down at the bung.

It's still anti-clockwise as you look at it to undo it. Using your steering wheel analogy - left hand down a bit, Mr Philips (for those who remember Troutbridge).

 

[namwaldog]

Job sorted ( sort of) Made myself a tool (see image) which did the trick unscrewing it (it WAS anti-clockwise)

Fortunately there wasn't that much muck in it and I managed to catch most of it in a bucket but then saw why it was difficult to unscrew... There was a crack in the cap both on the face and around the diameter that had been 'fixed' with silicone sealant.
I have tried to source a new cap but neither CAK tanks and Leisureshop direct have one in the correct size. (155mm)

I gave the tank a good clean out, flushed the three inlet and the outlet hoses and refitted the cap using silicone again.
The cap has a part no ....REF NR 12-7006 moulded in to it so if anyone has any ideas where to source a new one I would be grateful. I have tried both the supplying dealer and Lunar Caravans but they couldn't help.
The dirtiest part was the hosing out of the tank so , on my wife's insistence, everything I was wearing is now soaking in a trug before they are allowed to go in the washer.
Many thanks to all those that replied.

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[TheCaller]

REF NR 12-7006

According to Google, that's either an Irish planning application in Limerick or a fearsome looking instrument for use in knee surgery.

Someone should write a poem about that.

There was a young man from Cumbria
Whose waste tank was ......

 

[rosalan]

Well done Barry..... your post raised some lovely ideas from people as to which way a screw thread is undone.

 

[namwaldog]

We have had the van 9 months now and although it was a clean van when we bought it, and clean it after every trip, we have just spent two days taking out anything that moves and cleaning it to within an inch of its life. As my wife say's "any muck now is ours"

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[The Wino]

You could cut a plastic disc and fit it inside the cap while its off would be unlikely to leak then or leave the crack so you dont have to bother draining the tank!!!!!