Newby help - grey water empty button?

ClubMember99F7AFCBED replied on 07/08/2024 21:32

Posted on 07/08/2024 21:32

We’ve just bought a Hymer BMC motorhome. The handbook says to empty the grey water, you turn a lever in the garage. We don’t have a lever in the garage, only a yellow cap and a button on the drivers door. We’ve tried pressing the button on the drivers door with the engine on and off but nothing comes out. Any ideas how we empty the grey water? Do we need to do something before pressing the button??

Apperley replied on 07/08/2024 21:41

Posted on 07/08/2024 21:41

Can you provide a photograph of the button (switch) you think is the grey water dump valve? 

I have a dump switch on my 2020 Hymer. I have to slide and press the switch to activate the dump valve.

peedee replied on 08/08/2024 06:22

Posted on 08/08/2024 06:22

Have a look under the van at the drain outlet. If there is no obvious tap, is there a valve in the pipework. These are usually operated from the 12 volt battery so you should see a couple of wires connected to the valve. My last electrically operated valve jamed after a few years use and I had to replace it. Maybe you have the same problem?

peedee

ClubMember99F7AFCBED replied on 08/08/2024 11:32

Posted on 08/08/2024 11:32

Thanks both for the quick replies. I suspect we’re just missing something obvious, as you say maybe not sliding and pressing the button correctly. 

I’ve added a photo of the switch. So is it engine off, 12V on and we don’t have to do anything with the yellow thing in the garage or make sure the water is off or anything? 

Thanks for your help, Sandy 

Tinwheeler replied on 08/08/2024 11:50

Posted on 08/08/2024 11:50

That round button looks rather like the one my car has for adjusting the exterior mirror 🤔

ClubMember99F7AFCBED replied on 08/08/2024 12:40

Posted on 08/08/2024 12:40

We’re thinking it’s one of the rocker switches on top of the door. Maybe need to press and hold? Or some other magic combination? Would have been much easier with a manual stopcock!

Tinwheeler replied on 08/08/2024 13:27

Posted on 08/08/2024 13:27

Surely those are window switches?

Anything could happen with an A Class but I wouldn’t expect to find water dump valve switches fitted there.

Have you checked out YouTube and done an internet search for the model and year of your van? Failing that, contact the dealer you bought from.

Freddy55 replied on 08/08/2024 13:41

Posted on 08/08/2024 13:41

“Surely those are window switches?”

That was my first thought. I vaguely remember a tragic tale whereby a toddler had climbed up, stood on the window switch and was trapped around the neck and died, very sad. Again, only vaguely, I seem to recall that action was to be taken to move such switches to a safer location.

Takethedogalong replied on 08/08/2024 13:55

Posted on 08/08/2024 13:55

Have you actually had a look underneath your MH for any taps/valves? 

You could try the switches on the door, engine running, but I suspect the two at the top will operate the electric windows and electric door locks. The round button below looks as though it operates the wing mirrors. At least trying them will eliminate them🤷‍♀️

ClubMember99F7AFCBED replied on 08/08/2024 14:39

Posted on 08/08/2024 14:39

Thanks everyone. That’s the same as the manual I have, which seems to cover all Hymer models but not all Hymer options, and sadly we don’t have the pictured handy stopcock valve… 

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