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08-31-2011, 02:51 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Somerset
Posts: 119
M.O.C. #7632
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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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08-31-2011, 03:32 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Shore
Posts: 6,009
M.O.C. #7110
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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.
__________________
2011 GMC 4X4 dually CC, 6.6 Duramax with Allison Transmission. Formally 2001 Montana,2007 3400RL Montana, presently 2018 3401RS Alpine.
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08-31-2011, 03:33 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Kelowna
Posts: 1,475
M.O.C. #6237
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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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08-31-2011, 03:51 PM
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#4
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Somerset
Posts: 119
M.O.C. #7632
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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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08-31-2011, 03:54 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Omaha
Posts: 2,073
M.O.C. #2780
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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
__________________
Paul and Jan Kelpe
2014 Big Sky 3150RL
2015 GMC Denali, Duramax/Allison
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08-31-2011, 04:17 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: silver creek
Posts: 1,507
M.O.C. #7770
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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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08-31-2011, 04:37 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Kelowna
Posts: 1,475
M.O.C. #6237
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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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08-31-2011, 04:39 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Winthrop Harbor
Posts: 1,831
M.O.C. #8160
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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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08-31-2011, 05:07 PM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Somerset
Posts: 119
M.O.C. #7632
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Thanks everyone! We will try these suggestions!
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08-31-2011, 05:31 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Olympia
Posts: 1,058
M.O.C. #9441
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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.
__________________
2020 Ram 3500, 2022 Luxe 38GFB,2500w Solar with Victron equipment, Gen Y Pinbox
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08-31-2011, 05:38 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Eastern
Posts: 1,155
M.O.C. #7270
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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
Bobby
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08-31-2011, 05:40 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,135
M.O.C. #1920
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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.
__________________
Ron and Terrie Ames - MOC #1920/KF0NTA
2021Montana 3230CK Super Solar Legacy Package
2021 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn, BIM Charging
4x4, SRW, LB, Crew Cab, Pullrite 3900 Hitch
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08-31-2011, 06:14 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Eastern
Posts: 1,155
M.O.C. #7270
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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.
Bobby
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08-31-2011, 06:33 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 2,751
M.O.C. #7753
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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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08-31-2011, 07:19 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ione
Posts: 582
M.O.C. #11371
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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.
Frank
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08-31-2011, 07:23 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Santa Fe Springs
Posts: 4,189
M.O.C. #639
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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
Bobby
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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.
__________________
Pulling a 2004, 2980 RL an oldie but goodie.
Tow vehicle is a 2009 RED RAM 3500 DRW.
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09-01-2011, 12:23 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 4,200
M.O.C. #11401
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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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09-01-2011, 12:53 AM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,135
M.O.C. #1920
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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.
__________________
Ron and Terrie Ames - MOC #1920/KF0NTA
2021Montana 3230CK Super Solar Legacy Package
2021 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn, BIM Charging
4x4, SRW, LB, Crew Cab, Pullrite 3900 Hitch
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09-01-2011, 06:47 AM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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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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09-01-2011, 09:38 AM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: South
Posts: 2,499
M.O.C. #5140
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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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