How to Fix the Blacktank Flush Flipped Check Valve on a Keystone Cougar 32BHS (No Tools Needed!)

If you own a Keystone Cougar 32BHS, chances are you've run into the frustrating issue of a flipped check valve on your black tank flush. It's a common design flaw that can leave your tanks unflushed and your freshwater system at risk of contamination.

Good news? The fix is simple, quick, and doesn't require any fancy tools or cutting pipes.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how I repaired ours in under 10 minutes, using just two elbow fittings and a new check valve. I’ve also embedded a video tutorial if you want to follow along step-by-step.

What You Need

• (4) Elbow Fittings — Check Price on Amazon
  
  
• (1) Replacement Check Valve (Optional) — Check Price on Amazon

Using our links helps support our channel at no extra cost to you. Thanks for going the distance with us!

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

1. Locate the Check Valves

You’ll find two check valves in the Keystone Cougar 32BHS:

• Under the kitchen sink
• Under the master bathroom sink
  

The one under the kitchen sink is easy to spot and access. The wall behind it is moveable if you need more space.

Tip! Take a picture before you touch anything as a reference. Note the direction of the valve and which pipes it's connected to before changing. You will need to reverse this. 

2. Remove the Flipped Valve

Once you locate the valve:

• Unscrew the valve from both sides. Keep the PEX collars intact.
• Take note of the arrow on the valve. It should point up (it looks like a little hat). If it’s pointing down, it was installed backwards.

3. Add the Elbow Fittings

• Install the elbow fittings so that one faces one direction and the other in the opposite.
• Reattach the check valve between them, ensuring the arrow points upward.
• Make sure you have a mounting bracket to keep the valve upright. Without it, you risk flooding if the valve tips.

4. Repeat Under the Master Bathroom Sink

• The second valve is a little harder to see but follows the exact same process.
• No tools needed here either—just swap the elbows and reconnect.

Notes for New Owners

Don't assume the tank labeled "rear" is for the rear bathroom or vice versa. Depending on how the factory hooked up your lines, they could be reversed.

Options:

• Remove the panel and trace the plumbing.
• Label the valves with a Sharpie.
• Come up with a clever mnemonic to remember which is which.

Final Thoughts

This fix is super niche, but if you own a 32BHS, it’s a game-changer. Fixing the check valve the right way ensures your tanks flush properly and keeps that poop water out of your freshwater system. Don’t be tempted to bypass the valve with a SharkBite alone—that could open you up to contamination.

Got questions? Drop them in the comments of the video, and I’ll get back to you.

Happy camping!