f250dieseldad
Well-known member
I have a problem. When we empty the holding tanks we get an odor in the camper. Does anyone have any ideas as to why?
Sewer smell
- Thread starter f250dieseldad
- Start date
I too was getting a sewery type smell for a while. I had the greys open for a week or so and I think there was not enough water being put down the toilet to cover the solids. I don't know which was the culprit as I corrected both at the same time and the smell went away.
dieselsweetheart
Well-known member
dieseldad, it's all that freakin' boiled cabbage your wife makes. Stinks before it goes in and stinks when it comes out. 
dbylinski
NE Reg Dir Retired
dieseldad, it's all that freakin' boiled cabbage your wife makes. Stinks before it goes in and stinks when it comes out.
Nice try Cheryl but John is the cabbage chef. However I do tend to agree with your assessment!
hillsonwheels
Well-known member
Happens a lot with us too! Haven't been able to pinpoint cause. But, I'm really gunshy after a gray water tank replacement last winter and a black water tank problem this spring when we got to our summer place in VA. Since Reta has asthma, it's really a big issue with us. She can't blame all those smells on me, or can she? Sure am interested in what your findings are. Please shout it out!
Dick
Sure am interested in what your findings are. Please shout it out!Dick
ct0218
Well-known member
I've noticed the odor too, just can't understand why. There are traps between the sewer and the living area that should stop any odor from getting through. The only possibility I can come up with is that the sudden volume drain from the tanks pulls water out of the traps, allowing the gases to enter. On my next dump I'm going to try running a little water from each fixture, keeping that trap full, and hopefully keeping that smell out. It takes a while for it to dissipate!
SmokeyBare
Well-known member
Might want to open the A/C grill and seal any leaks inside the unit above the A/C filter (Air Intake). This might not apply to the new laminated roof design units, but those of us who have an open Attic, (Units with out the solid foam insulation) could be drawing air from the attic by way of those unsealed openings inside the A/C unit. Plenty of roof top black & gray vent pipes are pretty short and under the vent cover. Holes the vent pipes poke through the roof surface can often have a small gap which can allow the gases coming out of the tanks to be pulled back inside the attic.
Just a thought.
Marv
Just a thought.
Marv
Kevin and Henny White
Past California-Central Chapter Leaders
John
We had that problem for the first time after the tanks were drained for the winter.The first time out hooked up and filled the hot water tank and was running the water and what a smell. My husband thought that maybe the gases built up in the empty tanks.ran the water for about an hour the smell cleared up thank God.
We had that problem for the first time after the tanks were drained for the winter.The first time out hooked up and filled the hot water tank and was running the water and what a smell. My husband thought that maybe the gases built up in the empty tanks.ran the water for about an hour the smell cleared up thank God.
dbylinski
NE Reg Dir Retired
After extensive searching of RV forums, I found many have mentioned a check valve in the plumbing system. Ours is under the kitchen sink. I contacted Heartland Customer Service and ordered a replacement valve. This makes sense as the worst odor is in the area of the kitchen sink. From what I can understand the valve is supposed to introduce air into the plumbing system as the tanks are drained. If this valve is not working properly it could be the source of the problem. We have had one grey tank slow to drain lately and John believes it could also possibly interfere with tank drainage rates if air is not replaced in the system. We will let you know if this helps when we receive and install the new part.
mrcomer
Past Ohio Chapter Leaders (Founding)
I had this odor from time to time and desided to try this replacement roof vent for the black tank. I bought it during the Rally in Nashville and installed it the same day. All I can say is that I haven't had any odors since the installation.
Mark
Mark
dbylinski
NE Reg Dir Retired
PROBLEM SOLVED! We received the new check valves from Heartland and installed it before we left for the NY Rally. Well, now it's time to get ready to go home. Takin' care of business and I am such a happy girl. No smell and we paid strict attention to what was going on. Started out with the air off, no smell, put the air back on, no smell! If you are getting this aroma in your coach when dumping grey and/or galley water or when the tank is reaching it's capacity, you should consider replacing that check valve.
porthole
Retired
Here is another of those lines that make you think ..........................
Should have started collecting them when I first mentioned this months ago
SJH
Past Washington Chapter Leaders
This is exactly what happened to us on our last trip out. I really can't figure out what that valve does but it is on a pipe in the center of the sink drains. It's spring loaded with a push on cap of some sort. Anyway...the cap actually was on to far causing the spring piston thingy to be slightly depressed and therefore allowing gases to escape into the island kitchen cabinets. I took the cap off allowing the spring to push the piston all the way up and the odor went away!
mikeandconnie
Well-known member
All my vent pipes on my Landmark where cut to short ,the vents where venting in the roof causing our smell. Coming through the AC like someone else posted.
