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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> Gray tank odor
Post Info TOPIC: Gray tank odor
cherylbrv


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Gray tank odor
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I know this has been addressed before, but the search didn't really help for this situation.

Symptoms

- The smell is coming from the area above where the tanks are located -- not only from the bathroom

- It seems to be the most pronounced when we open the windows, or put the fantastic fan on

- The smell is really bad in the bay.

- the smell is present not only when the tanks are near full, but also when they are near empty

- it started about the 2nd day of boondocking

What we have already done:

- added water to the p-trap behind the washing machine and plugged up the hole in the pipe

- added various deodorizing treatments to the tanks

- checked the vents on the roof - no blockage there

 

We are at a loss now as to what is causing this odor and how to get rid of it!  Anything else we haven't tried yet?



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rv-vagabond


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look for an in line air adminttance valve which may be stuck open.

www.oatey.com/products/air-admittance-valves/wall-boxes/in-line-vent

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Barbaraok


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rv-vagabond wrote:

look for an in line air adminttance valve which may be stuck open.

www.oatey.com/products/air-admittance-valves/wall-boxes/in-line-vent

 X2

Also get in the habit of adding some baking soda to the drains every few days - will help with all sorts of things.

 

Barb

 



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Diana and Jim


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People talked about Happy Camper brand tank treatment at the fall rally. We have yet to try it, but it was highly recommended.

Jim

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cherylbrv


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Do you think the solution is just a matter of treating the tank or should we be looking for a leak or somewhere the gasses are escaping from instead?

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Cheryl B. in her new RV

(well, not new any more! Full timing since 6/25/14)

2008 DRV MS 36TKBS3 (the CoW: Castle on Wheels), 2005 Ford F550 hauler (the Bull)

My blog is http://mitcheryl-rv-journey.blogspot.com/

My business: www.AZAdminSolutions.com
GhostRider


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Are you able to smell odors from outside your RV around the tanks area? if so, then you may have an open vent stack line or some other line open. Look for leaks and loose plumbing fittings. I know things are pretty tight fit and well out of sight. Also, look for leaks, wet spots and puddling.

Does your sinks drains gurgle when draining? if so, then your traps are being sucked dry or at least opened enough to allow gasses to by-pass the trap. If you find that this maybe the cause then you may want to do what RV-Vagabond suggests. Oh yeah, check your traps make sure they are tight. My sink trap loosened enough to drain the trap. The funny part was there was no water on the floor anywhere. I tightened the trap and filled with water and my problem solved. I check the traps once a week and after moving to a new site.

Good Luck and lets us know how it all turned out.



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Barbaraok


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You don't need to treat the tanks other than adding water and maybe some baking soda. OPs symptoms really sound like the in-line air vent gone bad, which is quite common. When we had the problem is was the opening around the discharge hose from the w/d wasn't sealed well, once I did that, it was all better.

Also, put a rotating vane on top of the vent - these really work well.

Barb


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cheryls-other-half


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Mitch replies with technical answers:
GhostRider wrote:

Are you able to smell odors from outside your RV around the tanks area?

---> Yes.  mostly when the underbelly near the tanks is open.

if so, then you may have an open vent stack line or some other line open. Look for leaks and loose plumbing fittings.  I know things are pretty tight fit and well out of sight. Also, look for leaks, wet spots and puddling.

Does your sinks drains gurgle when draining?

--> No.  (if so, then your traps are being sucked dry or at least opened enough to allow gasses to by-pass the trap.)

If you find that this maybe the cause then you may want to do what RV-Vagabond suggests.

-->  OK, question... on the traps, it screws open and closed, but seems that there is a part that stays open.  Is that correct, or should the entire piece be sealed?

Oh yeah, check your traps make sure they are tight. My sink trap loosened enough to drain the trap. The funny part was there was no water on the floor anywhere. I tightened the trap and filled with water and my problem solved. I check the traps once a week and after moving to a new site.

Good Luck and lets us know how it all turned out.

 

... Also... Mitch wonders if this leak COULD actually be a last, undiagnosed problem from our accident last month (we had a fight with a tree and a brick retaining wall!)

The area above the fresh water tank seems to have a small puddle.  (but not coming from the water pump, we replaced that during the boondocking rally...)

 

cheers from the last RV-Dreamers left at the boondocking rally site (we didn't know WHERE we were going, so we decided to stay another week!)

Mitch



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Diana and Jim


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Dip your finger in that puddle and smell it. Is that grey water? Is there a p-trap inside the trailer (sink or shower) above that puddle?

Jim



-- Edited by Diana and Jim on Thursday 19th of February 2015 04:27:15 PM

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