Tank Smells in RV

[ODNT]

Good evening.

It seems just about every day, we get tank smells inside the RV. We had the dealer check and there are no misconnected or disconnected vent pipes, the tanks are fine, and the valves seem to shut properly. My only guess is that the AC is somehow sucking in fumes from the tank vents, but that doesn’t make sense. Does anyone have an idea for replacement vents or how to prevent this?

Many thanks!

ODNT

[RogerR]

Several posts in the past recommended types of caps that help remove fumes. Another tack is to change toilet chemicals and stringent end of campout cleanings.

[Glamper64]

Do you have a black tank flush, is it a stronger smell in the bathroom, if so check the black check valve usually under the sink, it could be installed backwards. Also make sure 3-4" round roof vents are clear of any debris and just checking, water does stay in bowl after flushing right? Do a proper cleaning of the tank using Commando black tank cleaner (Amazon) to break down and flush out anything left on tank bottom, it will even clean your sensors until the next fill

[Grumpy]

Check the air admitance valves (Studor vent) in the sink cabinets. If they fail the a/c could be pulling the fumes in from there.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by ODNT

Good evening.

It seems just about every day, we get tank smells inside the RV. We had the dealer check and there are no misconnected or disconnected vent pipes, the tanks are fine, and the valves seem to shut properly. My only guess is that the AC is somehow sucking in fumes from the tank vents, but that doesn’t make sense. Does anyone have an idea for replacement vents or how to prevent this?

Many thanks!

ODNT

Happy Camper for the tank.

[Camper_bob]

We have found 2 situations that will allow a perfectly operating tank/toilet to admit smells into the camper:

1) Flushing the toilet with the over-head vent fan on. This creates enough "reverse pressure" to allow some stink to escape in that moment after the water/waste has gone through, but before the valve is closed.

2) While driving down the road. I seems like the OEM vent setup allows positive pressure to be created at the top, which will then push the smell out the valve when flushed. It could also be the ceiling vent being open (with fan off, we have a cover on, so our vent is pretty much always open) creating negative pressure inside the camper. Either way, if we're moving down the road and someone flushes the toilet, we all know about it. ETA: This can happen if it's just really windy outside when parked.

I agree with CAG that Happy Camper is about the best we've found. But only if you do it right per the instructions. It took me a while to figure that out, and I thought for the longest time "this stuff doesn't work at all, why do so many people like it so much?!" But then I got it to work right, and it's pretty good. BTW, the trick is to ensure you dissolve the powder before you flush it into the tank (per the instructions). And it works better in my experience if you put it in while "priming" the tank, then go for a drive. I couldn't get it to work as well if I did it while I was about to store it. Plus if it's been stored a while, you may consider "re-upping" your treatment before you go to use it again.

There are several products on the market to minimize or cover up tank stink, or you can make a home brew ("Geo method" works pretty well in my experience). But whatever you use for tank treatment, making it so the tank doesn't stink should be priority.

A couple other suggestions: Make sure you get a good flush on your tank when you drain it, and try not to let the valve linger open when you're flushing.

It's been bad enough before that DW makes me flush it at the outset of a trip. But most times that's because it was stored when it wasn't rinsed thoroughly or maybe it was used some time in there...

[Mtgrizzlymn]

I’ve changed both valves in my 2016 Jayco and it still stinks horrible inside. I would take my old camper waste setup any day over this. It’s not right so many people have this issue. Smells like a rolling shi!box all the time.

[ODNT]

Grumpy, thank you; I'll take a look there.

[ODNT]

Maybe as some clarification, most of the times we seem to have the tank smells are when we leave for the day and come back, and it smells. Everything is closed, including air vents in the bathroom and kitchen.

We have used Digest-It so far, will try Liquify as well on this trip to see if it helps with breaking things down in the black tank, but we've had no issues there so far (except a flashlight that fell in there last year!).

v/r

ODNT

[CTEyeguy]

Had a very similar problem for the longest time on a previous rig. When the rig was closed, opened to oder. Sometimes worse with ac. Finally removed the roof cowlings of both air, conditioners, and recaulked all the way around the inside.
Also checked the caulking on my vent pipes and recaulked them (they seemed ok)
Surprisingly, no more smell.

[Mtgrizzlymn]

What did this do by caulking these things? I’m very curious because of the problems we’re having in our camper. Thank you

[CTEyeguy]

There were SMALL holes that were uncaulked when manufacture installed. The smell was worse in hot weather. Often worse when ac was on. Got so bad we that turned ac off to sleep. The spacing in the caulking was minimal and hard to see. BUT recaulking did the trick.
I had tried all other remedies suggested in this thread including rotating sewer vent fans. I share your frustration. I was ready to sell the rig.

[JimLaJoie]

Great advice. During hot summer months I find that one cup of baking soda works as well as any commercial chemical. That and plenty of water. Dump once a week.

[cmikal]

It's possible that one of the joints in a drain pipe has a small leak. Whenever you dump the tanks, a bit of water leaks out of a joint while dumping, then puddles on the underbelly plastic. If the leak is big enough, you are likely to see some dripping near the frame where the plastic ends. If the leak is small, you may not see dripping, but the small amount of dirty water that is laying on the plastic permeates up through the floor into the living space. I had this happen to me.

[MrJLeeW]

Originally Posted by ODNT

Good evening.

It seems just about every day, we get tank smells inside the RV. We had the dealer check and there are no misconnected or disconnected vent pipes, the tanks are fine, and the valves seem to shut properly. My only guess is that the AC is somehow sucking in fumes from the tank vents, but that doesn’t make sense. Does anyone have an idea for replacement vents or how to prevent this?

Many thanks!

ODNT

Do you always leave a little water in the toilet bowl after each flush? Do you use Holding Tank (black tank) Treatment? Do you always start with at least 2 gallons of fresh water in the black tank? At the end of your next trip after you dump and flushed your black tank, leave 2-3 gallons of fresh water in your black tank add 1 cup of Dawn dishwasher detergent and leave in the black tank with black tank treatment as you travel. On your next trip, dump and flush as usual. Do this only during camping season not over winter. This should help remove poop pyramids and restore your black tank. Hope this helps. Good luck

[hjets]

chances are the smells are coming from the grey tank, not the black tank. Your toilet is sealed inside unless the gasket on the dumper is bad. Changing that gasket is relatively simple. Just make sure you add a lube to it. Your toilet is vented to the outside through the roof.

But again, the smells are from your grey tanks.
Make sure your traps always have water in them to block the odors. All the traps. The shower, sink in the bath and the kitchen sink.
Drop one of these in the grey tank or tanks.(i have 2 grey tanks on my trailer)
Walex Elemonate RV Grey Water Tank Deodorizer and Freshener, Sink, Shower Drain Cleaner Drop-Ins Tablets, Camper Trailer, Fresh Lemon, 5 Pack



These are available through Amazon or bigger WalMarts. I break the tablets up and put a little in every sink or shower.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by hjets

chances are the smells are coming from the grey tank, not the black tank. Your toilet is sealed inside unless the gasket on the dumper is bad. Changing that gasket is relatively simple. Just make sure you add a lube to it. Your toilet is vented to the outside through the roof.

But again, the smells are from your grey tanks.
Make sure your traps always have water in them to block the odors. All the traps. The shower, sink in the bath and the kitchen sink.
Drop one of these in the grey tank or tanks.(i have 2 grey tanks on my trailer)
Walex Elemonate RV Grey Water Tank Deodorizer and Freshener, Sink, Shower Drain Cleaner Drop-Ins Tablets, Camper Trailer, Fresh Lemon, 5 Pack



These are available through Amazon or bigger WalMarts. I break the tablets up and put a little in every sink or shower.

It very well could be a grey tank smell.

As Grumpy mentions above, one should check the AAV or Studor Valve for proper operation.

[TowerMonkey]

I was getting sewer smell from the bathroom sink while running water. Took the vent valve off under the sink cleaned it in a soap and water mix then rinsed real well. Took care of my problem.
Also keep a bit of water in the toilet bowel.

[MitchReef]

If you are using a septic hookup don't leave the black tank dump valve open for straight draining. Go out and pull the valve when needed. I left mine hooked up and open. Stinky....

[Isaacs]

Empty and flush out your grey tank with bleach but leave your black tank with waste in it. Put a few gallons of water into the grey tank and add a good dose of bleach. Try not to put anything smelly into the grey tank. If you start smelling bleach instead of your previous smell then you know the grey tank is the culprit.

If you don't smell the bleach then your problem probably lies with the black tank. However, I suppose there could be some standing, stagnant water sitting around somewhere like in the belly of your RV? Or a dead animal?

Good luck!