De Gunking A Waste Tank

[DaveFromBarrow]

Hi,

2008 Apache 634L. I've had the wastewater tank removed from the vehicle and I am now going to give it a thorough clean. I'm hoping this might remedy the worse than useless sensors that keep telling me the tank is full when it's actually empty. I know, some hope right?

Any tips on how to give this thing a thorough clean without damaging the sensors or anything else inside it. I'm thinking I'll get in about as much as possible and possibly power wash it but don't want to cause any damage.

Any tips greatly appreciated.

cheers

d

 

[donkey]

Hi
Does the tank have a large inspection hole?
If so pressure washing will be quite effective. My Bosch cleaner has a right angled nozzle, which is great for inaccessible areas.
You may also benefit from some pre-treatment, such as washing machine detergent mixed with hot water. Just pour in and keep swilling it round, leaving it to soak in various positions, for a while.

Geoff

 

[Revolvor]

I have rejuvenated the sensors in my fresh and waste tanks by pressure washing, spraying them with neat white wine vinegar, and then gently abrading with Scotchbrite

 

[Littlewheels]

I have rejuvenated the sensors in my fresh and waste tanks by pressure washing, spraying them with neat white wine vinegar, and then gently abrading with Scotchbrite

I do similar the simple fact is that it’s normal for gunge to stick to the sensors which result in false readings, l consider it almost good housekeeping to clean them every couple of months as it’s a ten minute job.

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

I'm about to pick the tank up from the garage. They advised it's got two big "bungs" in it so it sounds like I'll be able to get the pressure washer in about. The tips re using an abrasive etc appreciated. I'm wondering if regular use of cleaning fluid is effective once I've done the manual clean?

d

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

OK, so the tank wasn't particularly dirty. Is the sensor shown a float? Does it just pull out? Can replacements be found?

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

So there's no way to get to this sensor from the inside so should I assume it simply screws in from the outside? Don't want to break it getting it out. Anyone?

ta

d

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

The sensor simply fits like a rubber bung so twists and comers free and pulls out. It was a little gunked up and was sitting at a slight angle. I cleaned and tested it by putting a multimeter on it to confirm the empty and full positions were sending different signals, which they are. I'm hoping the combination of cleaning and setting at the right angle will ensure it stops squawking every time I switch habitation power on Who knows, it might even do its job and tell me when the tank is full LOL.

d

 

[ManTheVan]

The advice we had was to pour some bio washing liquid down the drain and fill the waste tank to about 1/4 - 1/3 full then drive to your next destination. The agitation should allow effective cleaning en route and you can drain it out on arrival.

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

The advice we had was to pour some bio washing liquid down the drain and fill the waste tank to about 1/4 - 1/3 full then drive to your next destination. The agitation should allow effective cleaning en route and you can drain it out on arrival.

Yeah that also makes sense going forward but having tried that I felt I needed to satisfy myself the sensor was still operational. I've also given it a dose of ACF-50 to try and make less sticky.

d

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pappajohn]

I was about to suggest jet washing if it has a large inspection hatch.
I have just dismantled the whole wastepipe system on our house sink and the internal diameter was about 1".
15 years of accumulated grease and sludge had almost blocked it.
A matter of seconds with the jet wash and almost as clean as the day it was installed.

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

The tank wasn't too bad, probably a result of using some purpose-made grey water tank cleaner. The sensor defo had residue on it. There isn't a large inspection hatch on it but it would be easy enough to cut one, though not required now.

cheers

d

 

[pappajohn]

The most accurate level sensor is your feet.... When they get wet in the shower before turning on the water you know the tank is full.

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

The most accurate level sensor is your feet.... When they get wet in the shower before turning on the water you know the tank is full.

Yeah It's less about the sensor giving me useful information and more about it not squealing every time I power up the habitation. If this little exercise achieves that I'll be happy

d

 

[Ian Bosman]

Hi
Does the tank have a large inspection hole?
If so pressure washing will be quite effective. My Bosch cleaner has a right angled nozzle, which is great for inaccessible areas.
You may also benefit from some pre-treatment, such as washing machine detergent mixed with hot water. Just pour in and keep swilling it round, leaving it to soak in various positions, for a while.

Geoff

Isn’t there a product which does this sort of cleaning? I have just done quick look on the web and there are several products for cleaning water tanks (fresh water) but would have thougt a good dose would do the trick on the waste water tank. If you have a large inspection hatch can you reach the get your hands on the sensor. I have found that a coarse dishcloth rubbed around mine soon get it showing sensible readings.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

Removing the sensor to clean it was easy with the tank dropped off.
d

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

The upshot of this was with the tank cleaned (it was actually fine) and the sensor removed cleaned and refitted the problem was still there. £20 for a new sensor, which was easy to fit with the tank in situ, and Bob became my uncle.

d