Forum Discussion

TakingThe5th's avatar
TakingThe5th
Explorer
Sep 20, 2013

Pressure on the throne!

Our water closet/commode/throne/toilet seems to develop a bit of pressure a day or so after the start of a trip. When that happens, a giant bubble will appear immediately as I flush, follows by a "wonderful" smell. This doesn't happen on day 1, it might be day 2 or 3, and when it begins it usually persists until we dump and rinse the tank.

Also-the first day the throne begins leaking at the base, but that may stop the next day, or not.

I ran a stream of water down the vent and it's open. It didn't seem to be clogged as well as I could tell. As I ran the hose down the vent I also pulled the black dump valve and was surprised at how clean it appeared, hardly anything-no paper, a little bit of "other".

I've been going really heavy with the toilet treatment just to cover that base. Just two people in the camper, myself and DW.

This is our first year with our Cougar 333MKS and I'm thinking that the vent stack may be installed too deep into the tank. That is my best guess and I'm thinking I should take it in under warranty.

Any thoughts or ideas???
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Sep 20, 2013
    TakingThe5th wrote:
    Our water closet/commode/throne/toilet seems to develop a bit of pressure a day or so after the start of a trip. When that happens, a giant bubble will appear immediately as I flush, follows by a "wonderful" smell. This doesn't happen on day 1, it might be day 2 or 3, and when it begins it usually persists until we dump and rinse the tank.

    Also-the first day the throne begins leaking at the base, but that may stop the next day, or not. Need to tighten the toilet hold down bolts.....OR foam seal was not installed correctly.

    I ran a stream of water down the vent and it's open. It didn't seem to be clogged as well as I could tell. As I ran the hose down the vent I also pulled the black dump valve and was surprised at how clean it appeared, hardly anything-no paper, a little bit of "other".

    I've been going really heavy with the toilet treatment just to cover that base. Just two people in the camper, myself and DW.

    This is our first year with our Cougar 333MKS and I'm thinking that the vent stack may be installed too deep into the tank. That is my best guess and I'm thinking I should take it in under warranty. Correct..vent pipe was installed to far down into tank OR has slipped down.
    Waste tanks are not very deep........long, wide but shallow. So wouldn't take much of a level to block off vent line if it is too far into tank. Then tank cannot properly vent until you open toilet flush valve....then it has a place to vent. Right up thru toilet at you!

    Any thoughts or ideas???

    Take it back for warranty work......toilet floor flange seal (have new one installed) and theblack tank vent line getting blocked.
  • 352's avatar
    352
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2013
    Nobody believes me but if you try this it may help. Sometimes stuff gets stuck down there. Reach your arm down the hole as far as you can. When down to the max feel around for anything chunky. Grab it and squeeze it between your fingers until it gets smaller then dump some water in it (After you pull your arm out of coarse}. Do this once a month for regular maintenance. Wash your hands before cooking. I do have a self help video available. Hope this helps
  • JohnnyT's avatar
    JohnnyT
    Explorer II
    Sep 20, 2013
    If its burping that means that the vent is non functional either clogged or the vent pipe is below the fluid level in the tank... Since you ran a hose down the vent and the problem does not occur on day one then its a real possibility that your notion that the pipe was inserted to low in the tank... Or has migrated downward.

    Can you see the black tank to know how tall the tank is? If so one could use a tape measure to measure from the top of the vent pipe to the bottom of the tank, then pull the tape up slowly trying to catch the bottom of the vent pipe...

    Is the plumbing 3 inch or is it smaller? Can you tell how close to the dump valve the vent pipe enters the tank... The reason for asking that if outlet and piping is 3 inch then an arm encased in a vet sleeve might to remedy the problem simply

    The leaking on day one is another issue..Guess on that one I would check the torque on the bolts securing the toilet to the flange. also possible the seal was not correctly installed... Or the seal swells once it get wet.

    JohnnyT
  • redsb3's avatar
    redsb3
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2013
    Dtaylor wrote:
    Is this a new problem or one that recently started?
    Check the roof vent and make sure it is open.


    I think this is your problem. Clogged vent, tank slowly builds slight pressure, flush toilet, pressure released.
  • rattleNsmoke's avatar
    rattleNsmoke
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2013
    My bet is that your tank is full when it burps. As the OP stated, you may have a mound that needs to be dissolved. The leak is prolly at the seal at the bottom of your toilet bowl. seems to be two separate problems that needs to be addressed.
    Mike
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Sep 20, 2013
    Sounds like you have a mound in the tank. Does the tank you a flush system install. Or you need to run a wand down the pipe and blast it away!!!!

    Chris
  • Dtaylor's avatar
    Dtaylor
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2013
    Is this a new problem or one that recently started?
    Check the roof vent and make sure it is open.
  • jdog's avatar
    jdog
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2013
    Okie1 wrote:
    If it is burping you must have a restriction between your toilet and holding tank. Try using a rinsing wand through the toilet with good water pressure.


    No restriction between toilet and tank , still burp and bubble!
  • Okie1's avatar
    Okie1
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2013
    If it is burping you must have a restriction between your toilet and holding tank. Try using a rinsing wand through the toilet with good water pressure.
  • Cuffs054's avatar
    Cuffs054
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2013
    I've had that problem on occasion. I've started dumping some Calgon (take me away) in the tank after I drain it and make sure there is always some water in the tank after I drain it.

About Fifth Wheel Group

19,006 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 29, 2025