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Old 05-12-2006, 06:08 AM   #1
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We are continually annoyed by the bad odors coming from under the bath and kitchen sinks. This odor is definitely coming from the two plumbing vents. We have replaced the vents, opened windows, closed the grey water valve and we still get the odors. What would happen if I remove the vents and plug the pipe?
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Old 05-12-2006, 06:08 AM   #2
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We are continually annoyed by the bad odors coming from under the bath and kitchen sinks. This odor is definitely coming from the two plumbing vents. We have replaced the vents, opened windows, closed the grey water valve and we still get the odors. What would happen if I remove the vents and plug the pipe?
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Old 05-12-2006, 08:24 AM   #3
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If you have odors coming from the sinks you need to make sure that you have some water in the traps. The odors are more likely coming up through the drains. Water in the traps prevents the odors from entering through that opening. Same with the toilet. Make sure there is enough water in the bowl to cover the seals. The vents should exit through the roof and come from the holding tanks. A product called "RV 360" has been found to be successful for many other owners. It is attached to the top of the vent pipe above the roof and is available at Camping World and other RV supply stores.
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Old 05-12-2006, 10:55 AM   #4
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Tom,

Thanks for the reply. However, the odors are definitely coming from the vent on the plumbing pipes under the bath and kitchen sinks. It is not coming from the p-traps that have water in them. And it is not coming from the toilet that also has standing water.
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Old 05-12-2006, 11:10 AM   #5
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I have a 05 Vectra 40AD and had the same problem.
My service center found the vent under the bathroom sink stuck in the open posiiton. I don't know the exact name of this type of but it is suppose to only draw in air when in use.
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Old 05-12-2006, 11:47 AM   #6
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We were also plagued a couple years ago with a smell coming from underneat our sink. Turned out that it was the undersink drain line vacuum breaker had failed.

The vacuum breaker on the vent is designed to open when there is a vacuum on the drain line to prevent the suction from pulling the water out of the P-trap under the sink. Normally the grey tank oder can not vent under the sink as the vacuum breaker on the vent has a rubber flapper that acts as a one way valve.

What had happened on our unit is that the entire flapper disappeared. I think the suction of the grey tank draining actually pulled the flapper off it's mounting pin and it went down the drain. I just unscrewed the vent vacuum breaker and put in a new one as replacements are available for a few bucks at the local home improvement store.

If you think your problem is the same, you can temporarily replace the vacuum breaker with a plug, or even wrap a piece of plastic wrap securely over it as a test, but without the vacuum breaker installed at all, you could pull the water out of the sink trap and then have odor coming from the sink.
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Old 05-12-2006, 01:38 PM   #7
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Joe-K
Thanks, that answers my question. It appears we all need the vacuum breaker vent under the sinks to keep the water in the p-traps. I replaced the original vent with one from a local hardware store that had a spring tensioner. It appeared to be a better design. However, we still have odors coming from the vent. Does anyone know of a better vent or another idea to deal with the odors?
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Old 05-12-2006, 02:04 PM   #8
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I removed the vacuum breaker from the kitchen sink & replaced it with a plug. I cannnot tell what happened, but the odor is gone. I also added a RV 360 vent at a later time. I also run some water into the sink drains before each trip. No odors since.
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Old 05-12-2006, 05:44 PM   #9
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LK23,

I know you say the odor seems to come from under the sinks, But......

Just a thought - last year we had a bad odor problem and it turned out to be an empty trap in the washer/dryer which we hadn't used for a while. Don't know if you've got one, just an idea.

Also - is the smell noticable standing still, driving, or both?
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Old 05-12-2006, 07:18 PM   #10
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Ding,

We use the washer/dryer every day and I'm certain there is water in that p-trap. Yes, the odor is definitely coming from under the sinks.

It is only when standing still. Sometimes when using the ceiling bath vent fan. Sometimes, it is noticable after taking a shower.
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Old 05-12-2006, 07:19 PM   #11
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Considering Joe-K's response about the vacuum breaker's function, it seems that the only time the breaker would funtion is when dumping the grey tank and a vacuum is formed. That said, why not remove the vacuum breaker, plug the pipe and each time you dump the grey be certain to run some water in the p-traps? Would that work??
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Old 05-13-2006, 11:40 AM   #12
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BillArf,

As I stated previuosly, it is definitely coming from under the sinks and not the toilet. It is only when parked. Sometimes when using the ceiling bath vent fan. Sometimes, it is noticable after taking a shower. It seems obvious that the vacuum breakers are not functioning properly.
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Old 05-13-2006, 01:15 PM   #13
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LK23,

This WILL solve your problem (I had the same – REALLY BAD.)

Take off the vacuum breaker under the sink and plug it with a plastic cap from your local hardware store. Purchase an RV360 and install it on the roof vent tube.

You problem WILL be solved. I even put the RV360 on the black water vent to be sure.

No more smell
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Old 05-13-2006, 04:01 PM   #14
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I recall that I had a similar problem on one of our stays. I close the gray water valve and the odor disappeared. Kept it closed and only pulled it when I needed to dump.

Have not had the problem since. I thought it might have something to do with the sewer system to which I was connected.

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Old 05-13-2006, 08:00 PM   #15
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Dan,

I thought the roof vent was for the black water tank and the installation of the RV 360 only affected the black water tank. Is there a roof vent for the grey water tanks?
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Old 05-14-2006, 06:27 AM   #16
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There most certainly is - on my coach.
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Old 05-14-2006, 06:35 AM   #17
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Hi All,
And on some like ours, the two vents join and exit the roof as one. Check the plumbing diagrams for your coach to see how all the lines are run.
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Old 05-14-2006, 06:47 AM   #18
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LK23, Even with a properly functioning vacumn breaker you will often have odor if you have the bathroom door closed and the overhead bathroom exhaust fan is open and turned on. Have you changes your vacumn breakers? You mentioned something earlier of changing vents. Have you checked your main vent pipe for obstruction? Some check by running water down the vent pipe from the roof.
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Old 05-14-2006, 06:50 AM   #19
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">two vents join and exit the roof as one. Check the plumbing diagrams for your coach to see how all the lines are run. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


You are correct on this! There can be one or more.
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Old 05-14-2006, 06:54 AM   #20
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by mrsr71:
LK23,

Take off the vacuum breaker under the sink and plug it with a plastic cap from your local hardware store. Purchase an RV360 and install it on the roof vent tube.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Really would be better to find the reason for the odor and to correct the problem rather then defeating the plumbing/venting system. The RV 360 is an aok adjunct though.
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