Black tank odor

mopargo · 06-25-2005, 09:30 AM

We recently dry camped for 4 days and filled our holding up about 2/3rd's, when we pulled out we noticed a fairly strong sewage smell from the black tank, and it persisted until we dumped and cleaned the tanks. What would cause this, and how do we correct it??

mopargo · 06-25-2005, 09:30 AM

We recently dry camped for 4 days and filled our holding up about 2/3rd's, when we pulled out we noticed a fairly strong sewage smell from the black tank, and it persisted until we dumped and cleaned the tanks. What would cause this, and how do we correct it??

Charles99 · 06-25-2005, 04:20 PM

There is still a lot of unanswered questions here. Was the vent in the bathroom open. The Vent for the black tank is on the roof. When you are traveling, the odor could enter through the vent. Did you leave any water in the toilet. You might get some odor through that way.

Charles
Grovetown, Ga
2004 Winnebago Adventure 37B

Stevegd007 · 06-25-2005, 07:19 PM

Best to dump the tank before hitting the road, if possible. If not must at least leave some water in the toilet, but this can and will slosh around, allowing some order (*****, lol) to escape into the unit. Just about have to expect it.

mopargo · 06-26-2005, 02:11 PM

Thank you for the responses, we did have the rv closed up tight, and there was water in the toilet, we are plumbed for a washer/drier and I understand that if the p trap on it is dry odor could come back through the vent. I dont understand exactly how, or where that p trap is located, will continue to look.

tomsm · 06-26-2005, 02:31 PM

Your profile shows you have a 2000 Journey 36. However, there were two 36' models that year. If you have the 36G, the washer drain shouldn't be a problem since it connects to the grey water tank. However, Winnie's plumbing diagrams for the 36L show the washer drain connected to the black tank.

If you have the 36L, the location for the opt. washer/dryer was in the cabinet just aft of the bathroom sink. The drain should be behind the outside wall of that cabinet. If you find it, I'd just cap it off instead of trying to keep water in the p-trap. Good luck!

Stan Birch · 06-27-2005, 06:14 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by mopargo:I understand that if the p trap on it is dry odor could come back through the vent. I dont understand exactly how, or where that p trap is located, will continue to look. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
The toilet itself has a trap that requires attention, otherwise black tank odour will escape via the overflow port in the bowl. A few seconds of spraying water into the overflow hole should be sufficient to fill the trap.

KCE · 06-27-2005, 06:53 AM

This is what worked for me on a 2000 Brave 35C.
We always had black tank smell problems in our bathroom while RV was moving. Windows up smell mostly in bathroom. Windows down smell all thru RV.
I went up on roof and took the cap off the vent and replaced with a PVC "T" then took a ride. No smell in bathroom with the windows up or down.
Left the "T" on while taking a trip to GA, NC,and SC. No smell at all! So I replaced the PVC "T" with a "RV store bought one (any brand that will pull air thru when moving will work)and have never had that smell again.

Caution: make sure you caulk around the vent pipe and roof while experimenting with the PVC "T" or it will leak.

Ken

BucknJeff · 06-27-2005, 08:21 AM

Heres another thought for the hat...

At your washer/dryer location, and in a few other locations in your coach, there is a "one way vent cap" that allows air into the drain pipe, and is supposed to keep the odors in. They deteriorate with age, and can cause the exact issue you describe. If you do not have the washer installed, the tube where the discharge hose would go is likely taped over or capped. This is a good spot to check as well.

So, in addition to checking the other suggestions, you may want to isolate WHERE the smell is coming from, and then, remove the vent cap (its on the top of the drain standpipe, it just unscrews) and temporarily reseal the opening (saran wrap?) and test. We have had to replace several of these traps throughout the years, and the problem always surfaced as your did.

In a related thought, the internal trap in the toilet used in your unit is refilled each time the tiolet is flushed, as is the case with most modern RV toilets. This is not likely the trouble in this case.

Hope this helps.