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Old 08-31-2011, 02:51 PM   #1
JacknBetsy
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Toilet smells

We have a 2009 3400 Montana and we have been noticing a subtle odor in the bathroom. It's not a strong smell and the toilet holds water so the seal seems fine. Any solutions?
 
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Old 08-31-2011, 03:32 PM   #2
Bill-N-Donna
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Do you have a fan running whenever you notice this?
I noticed smells a few times and it was when I had the fan on.


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Old 08-31-2011, 03:33 PM   #3
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If you have the vent open in the bathroom and are running the Fantastic Fan it will pull the Oder's from the vent for the black tank. We found this out from experience.
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Old 08-31-2011, 03:51 PM   #4
JacknBetsy
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I don't think the fans were running. The odor seems more noticeable when the Montana has sat for awhile and not used. Should we be putting anything into the black tank when we aren't using it for a few weeks? I have heard of using Calgon Water Softener. Has anyone tried that?
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Old 08-31-2011, 03:54 PM   #5
jpkelpe
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I do put some deoderizer in the black tank along with a couple gallons of water when we store it--don't know if I need to but it makes me feel better
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Old 08-31-2011, 04:17 PM   #6
racerjoe
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We always put chemical in whenever we dump it,you never get it clean enough and when the weather gets warm it's even worse. It's worth a little chemical and water.
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Old 08-31-2011, 04:37 PM   #7
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We always add the tank treatment after we dump and put some down the other drains when it is not used for awhile. We are switching over Happy Camper treatment as a lot of members highly recommend it.
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Old 08-31-2011, 04:39 PM   #8
c214dick
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We have used Calgon when available. The Calgon helps to reduce the amount of tissue build up. When we dump we flush the black tank until the water is clear and usually do not have any odor problems until..........
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Old 08-31-2011, 05:07 PM   #9
JacknBetsy
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Thanks everyone! We will try these suggestions!
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Old 08-31-2011, 05:31 PM   #10
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I have noticed the same oder in my rig at times. I have wondered if the vent from the tank to the roof is plugged. In the next week or so I plan to explore that situation.
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Old 08-31-2011, 05:38 PM   #11
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the best way I have found is to drain it good and I bought a cap screen from CW I put it on the main drain and open all 3 valves and let it set and dry out and vent till I am ready to use it again. seem to stop the odor.JMHO
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Old 08-31-2011, 05:40 PM   #12
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I will wager that many of you have washer/dryer prep. You probably did not drain them after winterizing. Grab a hose and attach to one at a time and flush. It will gag you if its been there a while. The smell will then be gone. Been there, got the t-shirt. Got the fix from the MOC forum. Good luck.
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Old 08-31-2011, 06:14 PM   #13
scductman
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Ron you are right thats one of the first things I did was to unhook the water and cap it under the vanity. I no longer have the washer conection hooked up but its still there if I need it.
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Old 08-31-2011, 06:33 PM   #14
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Boys sprinkle when they tinkle, they need to be a sweety and wipe the seaty, and walls and sides. Even a little over spray sitting for a few days in damp weather will start to get odorous. Vinegar and water in a spray bottle and paper towel will usually do the trick...
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Old 08-31-2011, 07:19 PM   #15
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I have had trailers for over 25 years and always put 2 or 3 gals of water and chemicals in the black tank after it is drained. This keeps any solids left in the tank from drying out and building up like cement. My new Big Sky has the "Black Tank Flush" but I still put the 2 or 3 gal of water back in the tank after flushing the tank and closing the drain valve.

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Old 08-31-2011, 07:23 PM   #16
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by scductman

the best way I have found is to drain it good and I bought a cap screen from CW I put it on the main drain and open all 3 valves and let it set and dry out and vent till I am ready to use it again. seem to stop the odor.JMHO
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Bobby with the vales open, do have you had any problems with the seals drying out and making them harder to close them when you are ready to use the Monty again.
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Old 09-01-2011, 12:23 AM   #17
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If you let it sit in hot weather you might want to put some deoderizer in the sink and tub traps, to include the kitchen. Larry
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Old 09-01-2011, 12:53 AM   #18
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The first time we had the odor, it started in the bathroom. It kept getting stronger. We treated the gray tank, black water and fresh water tanks because we just knew it had to be one of those. Even bleached the fresh water tank to no avail. Then I posted about the smell and a number of people mentioned the washer lines as the culprit. I was skeptical until I opened that valve. With the heat this year in Texas, we have drained it for the second time this year. The relief is immediate. That doesn't mean that there isn't another cause. But, most MOCers keep there tanks clean and wipe down the other areas. Good luck solving the smellies. I know after fighting for months the first time how it can take the enjoyment out of camping.
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Old 09-01-2011, 06:47 AM   #19
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Exnavydiver.....

I followed some advice from the old RV guy when he gave us our PDI on first rig, that to prevent the sprinkle and tinkle that EVERYONE, girls, boys, women and men should sit down when visiting the throne no matter WHAT they do. The water closet is small in the rig and the materials (paper, vinyl, linoleum) more sensitive to stuff like this and the cleaners to keep it clean and the bowl is shallow, and while as a male it took some mental effort to be comfortable, it solves this problem and makes sense.

Somehow, I don't think this is what the OP is experiencing. Not only do I put deodorizer chemicals into the black tank when stored, it must have a few gallons of water, too (I try and put 3-5 gallons along with the deodorizer/cleaner).

Most people I find that have this problem do not use enough water during the flushing process. They think that as long as the "contents" have left the bowl, then they are done. It is critical that more water is allowed to flush into the black tank. A common thing to do is to flush and count to slowly count to five for "number one" and count to 10 for "number two". Without enough water, the "contents" cannot dissolve and drain properly. Over time if you don't use enough water this effluent will solidify and stick around. Besides the deodorizer make sure the chemicals have something to keep the "contents" dissolved and diluted!

If you have not been doing this it might take some effort to really get that black tank cleaned out other than paying a bunch of money to have someone else do it. I think I'll save that topic for others who have had to do this.
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Old 09-01-2011, 09:38 AM   #20
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We have used Happy Camper for a number of years and like the results. Also, when we have been sitting for a month or two, when we get ready to leave, I dump and flush the black tank and then when we leave, I put a bag of ice down the toilet and repeat after about 50 miles with another bag. Each bag of ice acts like gentle sand paper and when the ice melts, I have two gallons of water in the black tank.
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