Stinky toilet

Bushey86 · 06-06-2014, 06:33 PM

Ok, so this is our fourth weekend out in our new trailer (premier 29bhpr). I just can't seem to get the stink out of our toilet. Every time I flush there is an awful smell coming out. I leave the valve closed until I dump at the end of the weekend. I flush it out good with the outside hose connection, and water/cleaner directly into the toilet. Also put about 5 gallons of water in after cleaning,and 2 pods of the disinfectant that the dealer sold me (sorry I don't have the brand handy) anyone have any ideas or maybe a better product recomandation? Am I doing something wrong? Thanks for any help.

Javi · 06-06-2014, 06:52 PM

Just a guess, but turn off the vent fan before flushing..

buzzcop63 · 06-06-2014, 09:22 PM

When the toilet hole is open and the fan is running you are pulling air through the Black tank vent up through the toilet into the bathroom. We all have learned the hard way to turn off the fan, flush the toilet and turn the fan back on.

therink · 06-07-2014, 02:13 AM

Is the toilet bowl seal holding water between uses? If not, the seal may not be sealing well allowing tank vapors to enter the bowl between uses.

Bushey86 · 06-07-2014, 03:38 AM

The vent fan in the roof? I don't think it's been used since we've had the trailer. The seal seems to hold water fine. It's just when we flush that the smell comes up.

Gaffer222 · 06-07-2014, 03:59 AM

There should be vent pipe from the black tank up through the roof. Pop off the cap and run a snake down to see if it is clogged.

Lawdogs · 06-07-2014, 04:41 AM

Don't ya think that snake would get awful mad!!!

hankaye · 06-07-2014, 06:55 AM

Bushey86, Howdy;

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushey86

The vent fan in the roof? I don't think it's been used since we've had the trailer. The seal seems to hold water fine. It's just when we flush that the smell comes up.

Does it sort of 'burp' and blow a bubble at you when you flush? If so then
the vent is clogged, That's how I judge when the tank needs dumped in mine.

Gaffer222 "There should be vent pipe from the black tank up through the roof.
Pop off the cap and run a snake down to see if it is clogged."

I thought snakes slithered ... difficult to run with no legs ...

hankaye

f6bits · 06-07-2014, 06:57 AM

Yeah, the little vent fan in the ceiling. That's what usually does it. That's an airflow issue with the vent creating a vacuum and pulling air from the toilet while flushing.

Do you have some windows open that could be creating a breeze through the trailer that exits the bathroom ceiling vent?

Then again, it could just be a *really* stinky tank. Do you use lots of water when flushing? More water is better.

GaryWT · 06-07-2014, 04:37 PM

We use aqua chem liquid and it works real well.

My guess is the vent is blocked or has slipped down into the tank too far so it is not working correctly.

I use the power rinse only once or twice a year.

Our fan is over the shower and is on during showers and sometimes longer but it is not an issue.

Good luck.

Bushey86 · 06-07-2014, 06:00 PM

I guess I'm gonna have to check the vent. I don't see any other issues. I'll update if I find anything.

f6bits · 06-07-2014, 07:01 PM

I'm not sure why the vent would cause a problem. I can see that it's necessary while dumping so as to not to create a vacuum in the tank. Speaking of which, if when dumping the blank tank, it comes gushing out at full speed, then I think the vent is OK.

Bombfixer · 06-08-2014, 08:06 AM

After flushing are you making sure you have water in the bowl above the seal? Otherwise the seal can dry out and not work properly. For my toilet, I push the pedal down slightly and it allows water to flow into the bowl without opening the flap at the bottom of the bowl.

Sent from my NX008HD8G using Tapatalk

Gaffer222 · 06-08-2014, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f6bits

I'm not sure why the vent would cause a problem. I can see that it's necessary while dumping so as to not to create a vacuum in the tank. Speaking of which, if when dumping the blank tank, it comes gushing out at full speed, then I think the vent is OK.

Let's see: You have a clogged vent on a black tank. The black tank has "stuff" in it the produces gasses that smell. The gasses that smell have no place to go as the vent is clogged. Toilet is flushed and "maybe" the gasses come out the toilet and cause the OP's issue. Just a possibility....... May not be the issue but can't hurt to check...

**JRTJH** · 06-08-2014, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaffer222

Let's see: You have a clogged vent on a black tank. The black tank has "stuff" in it the produces gasses that smell. The gasses that smell have no place to go as the vent is clogged. Toilet is flushed and "maybe" the gasses come out the toilet and cause the OP's issue. Just a possibility....... May not be the issue but can't hurt to check...

If you pull the handle on the black tank and it empties normally, the black tank roof vent is working. If it were plugged, the rush of black tank contents would create a vacuum and the flow would stop. So, if the tank will empty normally, the vent is not plugged. That's what f6bits was saying.

Additionally, if the vent were plugged, when you flush the toilet, it will "burp" or "gurgle" rather than flush normally. It's pretty obvious when the vent is plugged, even a "novice" can tell the difference in how the toilet flushes and how the black tank empties. If those two features are working normally, the black tank roof vent is OK.

I'd suggest that either there's a vent fan running somewhere in the RV or there's a window (s) open creating a cross-draft that pulls the gasses (and odor) up through the open toilet causing the smell.

ctpd814 · 06-08-2014, 05:48 PM

I see that you add your chemical when you leave the campground after cleaning the tank. I am not sure what type of chemical you use but read the back of the package. Many of them say that they work for 7 days. If it is longer than 7 days, it will not work as well. I have had an issue before. I now make sure that it does not set more than 7 days and have had no more problems.

Ram189 · 06-08-2014, 05:57 PM

Are you camping at a campground or dry camping??

Why wouldn't you let the tank drain all the time?? Leave the valve open while at a campground.

**JRTJH** · 06-08-2014, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ram189

Are you camping at a campground or dry camping??

Why wouldn't you let the tank drain all the time?? Leave the valve open while at a campground.

If you leave the valve open, you will build a "pyramid" of toilet paper and solid "goo" under the toilet. That will build up in the black tank, solidify and create a problem that is extremely difficult to flush. There are numerous threads on this and all other RV forums warning NOT to leave the black tank valve open when using the toilet. The solids must remain suspended in fluids while in the tank. Leaving the valve open allows all the fluid to "seep out" leaving only the solid waste which will plug the black tank drain causing a stopped up black tank.

NEVER leave the valve open when using the toilet !!!!!

GaryWT · 06-08-2014, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ram189

Are you camping at a campground or dry camping??

Why wouldn't you let the tank drain all the time?? Leave the valve open while at a campground.

I will second that this is a bad idea. You will soon lose the use of the black tank as it will be a solid mess and difficult to fix.

bobbecky · 06-08-2014, 10:54 PM

Agree, the black tank valve should only be opened to drain the tank, closed the rest of the time. As far as the gray/galley tanks, I know many people leave the valves open most of the time, and only close them a day or so prior to dumping the black tank. But this was brought to my attention some time back, if you have the drain hose hooked up, with any valve left open, your rig is now a vent for the entire RV park sewer system, and I have noticed smells while walking around parks, and it was probably coming from open valves. Your gray tank, when empty, has no trap to stop gas like a trap under a sink, so sewer gas from the park just escapes the park system through your tank's vent at the roof.

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