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maxmorrow's avatar
maxmorrow
Explorer
Aug 05, 2013

Found source of Black tank odor in trailer

I have a 2006 Montana and have had an occasional smell from the black tank. I checked the vent and rinsed it several times but would get a bad smell sometimes after flushing toilet. I had a rotating vent cover on my previous trailer so I thought this might help on this one. When I removed the three legged cap over the vent i saw there was no sealent on pipe to flange leaving a gap. The smell was going back into the wall to the bottom where it was going into the heater vent to keep tanks from freezing. Fought this problem for four years now glad to finnaly find problem.
  • powderman426's avatar
    powderman426
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2013
    maxmorrow wrote:
    I have a 2006 Montana and have had an occasional smell from the black tank. I checked the vent and rinsed it several times but would get a bad smell sometimes after flushing toilet. I had a rotating vent cover on my previous trailer so I thought this might help on this one. When I removed the three legged cap over the vent i saw there was no sealent on pipe to flange leaving a gap. The smell was going back into the wall to the bottom where it was going into the heater vent to keep tanks from freezing. Fought this problem for four years now glad to finnaly find problem.


    Good detective work. I see many posts about odors and many try to eliminate them with chemicals. Maybe this will serve to lead others to correcting the problem the right way. Good job.
  • sue_t's avatar
    sue_t
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2013
    We had a similar issue with a camper we purchased. Tried numerous fixes, then decided it was time to check to see if the vent was clogged. When I removed the vent cap the problem was revealed ... the black PVC pipe was cut so it was snug against the bottom side of the vent cap! Therefore, no air was venting anywhere!

    Wonder what rookie did that install ...
  • GON2SKI's avatar
    GON2SKI
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2013
    On our '01 Cougar 281EFS 5th wheel, we noticed an odor as you would stop and open the door after traveling. Found that air pressure changed direction during motion and by replacing the standard vent cap with one that swivels with wind changes and travel direction was the fix needed hence no more odors.
  • Pete_k's avatar
    Pete_k
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2013
    Had the same issues with our Okanagan truck camper. But had forgotten about it. Guessing I will be checking the vents on the 2012 Key Largo before leaving Thursday. As It also has that issue but only if the winds blow just right.
    Pete
  • N-Trouble's avatar
    N-Trouble
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2013
    A couple of things I have found to help control black tank odor

    1) Never let the tank sit dry. Always partially fill with fresh water (and treatment) after dumping.

    2) Once or twice a year dump a couple of bags of ice down the poop shoot and drive it like you stole it. The ice will help break up the turd teepee that develops and any blockage on the level indicators.
  • maxmorrow's avatar
    maxmorrow
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2013
    Sue the pipe on mine did come up through the flange but was over to one side and left almost a quarter inch gap. Glad you found your problem also.
  • pigpen1003's avatar
    pigpen1003
    Explorer
    Aug 20, 2013
    question? if you leave water in the black tank after dumping. during the winter do you add coolent? or is only adding half a tank with water ok during the winter?
  • porknbeanr's avatar
    porknbeanr
    Explorer
    Aug 28, 2013
    Our problem was a terrible odor whenever a water fauct was opened. Turned out to be the water heater. I learned they need to be drained and flushed once in a while. There was a sulfer build up inside the heater and as soon as I opened the drain and flushed with fresh water no more smell.

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