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The_Works's avatar
The_Works
Explorer
Sep 12, 2016

Black Tank Odor

We purchased a used 2013 Winnebago Meridian MH about 6 months ago and I can not get the odor from the black tank from getting into the bathroom when we flush the toilet. I have flushed the tank thoroughly several times and just about every time I dump. I've added smelling packets to the tank and I add a liquid break down stuff I purchase from Walmart to the tank after flushing. We've driven 7K miles and during our travels I've left water and tank cleaner in about 1/3 of the tank thinking the sloshing around of the cleaner and water will clean the tank out but it hasn't. I'm thinking about getting a shop vac on the roof and try and blow air down the vent pipe but other than that I'm out of ideas and this is why I'm putting this out, what can I do!!? We full time and currently are work camping. Thanks for your helpful suggestions. Be safe out there.
  • we use Campa-Chem by Thetford. We buy it at Walmart. In hot weather, put in double the amount. For example if it says 8oz we put in 16oz in hot weather.

    Also no windows open while driving when flushing, no vent fans going when flushing.
    let the tank fill almost full before dumping. There may be "stuff" up near the top of the tank that the chemicals need to reach.
  • Drain your black tank completely, then add a gallon of bleach and about 10 gallons of water and go for a nice bumpy curvy ride for about 20 minutes. Return and dump the tank. Now, flush the tank to get rid of the bleach. Your odors will be gone.
  • Use plenty of water when flushing and close the valve as soon as it's out. The longer you hold the valve open the more fumes will come out. Might try closing the lid when you flush. Make sure bathroom exhaust fan is not running when flushing as it will draw in from the tank.
  • You are likely on the right track. The vent may well be plugged by some industrious, but well meaning, creatures! You could also try a plumbers snake.

    Vic
  • You'll deffinately want to make sure the vent pipe doesn't have a nest or something in it, blocking air flow. Also make sure it doesn't have any broken connections, sometimes builders forget to glue pipe connections together.

    It's impossible to eliminate smell completely, and the human nose is very very very sensitive to the smell of fecal matter.

    Avoid having any vent fans on when you flush, they will draw air down the vent pipe, through the black tank and out the toilet. When the wind is just right, even having the skylight open in my bathroom is enough to draw air from the toilet.