Blocked waste water outlet on our T6

[Cali Phillip]

I agree. Normal.

Mine got blocked up with just kids spitting toothpaste down it. Now banned! I presume it’s the pipe immediately under the plug hole that was clogged. Had to use full drain cleaner in the end. The hardcore acid type stuff. All the the pipes are normal plumbing plastic so resistant to boiling water and drain cleaner. It got a lot better after that.

It’s never what you could call fast!

Never considered tooth paste although soap from hand washing with minimal water probably does the same.
Unblocking the drain was job 2 today after the gas regulator died after just 3 yrs use.

I cleaned out the sink drain a few weeks ago, maybe that dislodged some debris.
A combination of hot water, detergent and closing the drain then putting the hose in effectively pressuring the tank via the overflow seemed to work after. a few goes.
Once unblocked ran 20litres of near boiling water and detergent though.

I now have a sink strainer made for a tea strainer to ensure no debris gets into the tank.

 

[Drpps]

A further thread resurrection here. The magic of the forum search button.
Mine recently blocked for the first time in 7 years of ownership. This thread has been very helpful as was the parts diagram.
I did the baking soda, vinegar and boiling water but it in fact blocked it more. If I had patience it might have dissolved it.
I didn’t.
I took the upper, over flow pipe off the valve after removing the second access hatch for the fridge compressor. I used a 20cm zip tie and bent the tip slightly. Because it is relatively stiff it was possible to guide the tip into the valve and pass it into the waste tank exit. Hey presto a massive gush of water (out of the lower tube) if the tank is very full the there must be a risk of the pressure pushing water upwards when it finally goes but fortunately not in this case.
As an added bonus the baking soda and vinegar has also cleared the sink u-bend
and it is now running better than it has in ages.
The toothpaste theory might hold some truth as I have always tried to avoid food residue down the sink.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

A further thread resurrection here. The magic of the forum search button.
Mine recently blocked for the first time in 7 years of ownership. This thread has been very helpful as was the parts diagram.
I did the baking soda, vinegar and boiling water but it in fact blocked it more. If I had patience it might have dissolved it.
I didn’t.
I took the upper, over flow pipe off the valve after removing the second access hatch for the fridge compressor. I used a 20cm zip tie and bent the tip slightly. Because it is relatively stiff it was possible to guide the tip into the valve and pass it into the waste tank exit. Hey presto a massive gush of water (out of the lower tube) if the tank is very full the there must be a risk of the pressure pushing water upwards when it finally goes but fortunately not in this case.
As an added bonus the baking soda and vinegar has also cleared the sink u-bend
and it is now running better than it has in ages.
The toothpaste theory might hold some truth as I have always tried to avoid food residue down the sink.

Treat it just like a kitchen sink. Drain unblocker from Tesco followed by a kettle or two of boiling water.

 

[Drpps]

Treat it just like a kitchen sink. Drain unblocked from Tesco followed by a kettle or two of boiling water.

I thought I would try without too much chemical interference, but I had considered it.

 

[nomadicjonboy77]

Hi, was this ever resolved?

I am having the same problem on my 6.1 Ocean and have tried the coil. As per @WelshGas observation, I'm pretty sure the end of the coil is just hitting the top of the overflow hose.

I tried to open the wastewater hatch in the cupboards but it was too stiff. I'll try again tomorrow.

But even when I do get the hatch open I'm not sure how I would get to the valve, as looking at the diagrams it looks quite far away and I don't think I'd get my hand down there and the angle looks tricky for the coil?

I've not put any drain cleaner etc products in yet as I'm worried about melting components!

 

[WelshGas]

Hi, was this ever resolved?

I am having the same problem on my 6.1 Ocean and have tried the coil. As per @WelshGas observation, I'm pretty sure the end of the coil is just hitting the top of the overflow hose.

I tried to open the wastewater hatch in the cupboards but it was too stiff. I'll try again tomorrow.

But even when I do get the hatch open I'm not sure how I would get to the valve, as looking at the diagrams it looks quite far away and I don't think I'd get my hand down there and the angle looks tricky for the coil?

I've not put any drain cleaner etc products in yet as I'm worried about melting components!

Opening the hatch on the a waste water tank should only be done on an empty tank.
The materials used are all plumbing grade and using chemicals according to the instructions will do no harm.

 

[Resfeber]

Hi, was this ever resolved?

I am having the same problem on my 6.1 Ocean and have tried the coil. As per @WelshGas observation, I'm pretty sure the end of the coil is just hitting the top of the overflow hose.

I tried to open the wastewater hatch in the cupboards but it was too stiff. I'll try again tomorrow.

But even when I do get the hatch open I'm not sure how I would get to the valve, as looking at the diagrams it looks quite far away and I don't think I'd get my hand down there and the angle looks tricky for the coil?

I've not put any drain cleaner etc products in yet as I'm worried about melting components!

Couple of points.
1) The valve is accessible in the left hand cupboard.
2) As @WelshGas has said don’t open the hatch unless you are certain the tank level is below the bottom of the hatch.
If you need to empty, either siphon or pump out by disconnecting the inlet from the sink at the top of the tank.

See image

Red circle is tank inlet point where you can safely detach the inlet pipe and empty a full tank by siphon or pump out without risk of flooding the van if you go in to a full tank via the access hatch !!!

Blue circle is the valve assembly as shown in the photo.in post #7 below

3) Don’t know your exact problem but if you fill the tank and it overflows to the outlet below the van then you have a blocked valve which needs either rodded with a wire coat hanger or drain coil via the outlet below the van, chemical dose up the outlet pipe with a suitable extension hose on to the outlet or a pressure washer or air line to try and dislodge the obstruction which will be at the valve..
NB it will be necessary to clamp or temporary seal the overflow pipe, otherwise pressure cannot be built up at the valve and will simply relieve into the tank via the overflow pipe.

See this thread Post #7 for valve location (minus red handle)