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dstone's avatar
dstone
Explorer
Sep 03, 2014

Possible crack in vent pipe causing odor?

We recently purchased a 2002 R Vision Trail Lite from a friend for a very good price. There is an odor coming from the black tank that we just can't seem to get rid of. When we first got it, we took it to a campground just to clean out the tank. That helped for a while, then we noticed the odor came back. We did put chemicals in it after cleaning. We put one cup of detergent and two cups of borax in the tank at home then took it camping where there were full hookups. While there, we flushed and flushed the tank making sure it was good and clean before we left and we put chemicals in the tank. Didn't notice any odor. That was a few weeks ago and the odor started to get worse and worse and now is back with a vengeance. There are cracks in the roof around the ventpipe for the tank so I put duck tape around the outside for a temporary fix, or so I thought. Could the pipe itself be cracked and this is causing the problem?
Seeking Advice

8 Replies

  • dstone's avatar
    dstone
    Explorer
    Sep 07, 2014
    Not sure if it is a aqua magic or not. It says thedford on the lid which makes the aquamagic, right? P-traps have water in them. Have not cleaned the gray tank with anything but clear water., but did flush the vent pipe.
    I installed a new vent cap yesterday which helped some, but the odor is still there. Since the vent pipe seems to be okay, checked it under the sofa too, I'm really thinking it may be the seal under the toilet. The odor has to be coming from the toilet since the odor is much stronger in the bathroom. Would like to replace the toilet to get a better and taller one, but not sure what brand would fit. Any ideas on that?
  • PUCampin's avatar
    PUCampin
    Explorer
    Sep 04, 2014
    If it is an aquamagic 4 or 5, there are additional possibilities. The 4 has a some kind of vent/trap in the rim that can dry out and leak odor. The 5 can have the flush lever seal dry our and leak odor.
  • dave17352's avatar
    dave17352
    Explorer II
    Sep 04, 2014
    Possible it is the seal on the toilet, either at the floor or if the toilet doesn't hold water at the flapper. I once had a separated vent pipe and that caused a horrific odor problem in our class c! Then there was time on a truck camper there was a wasp nest that completely closed off the black vent pipe. You will have to hunt it down because there really should be no odor if things are working right.
  • craig7h's avatar
    craig7h
    Nomad II
    Sep 04, 2014
    I had a odor problem also, I ended up removing the vent cap taking hose and flushing the vent stack. Its possible that the stack could be cloged also. I then replaced the entire vent cap with the new style of cap that moves with the wind direction. Both seem to help. Also make sure that after you flush the toilet water stays in the bowl, if water does not stay you will get an oder, water in the bowl is like the ptraps in the sink.
  • SH's avatar
    SH
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2014
    In one of our other rigs the vent pipe was actually a two-piece affair. When we had a similar odor problem I was looking in the wall through an inspection cover and noticed the vent pipe had come apart at the joint. With the help of the DW I got on the roof, lined the pipe up and pushed it down into the coupler...odor gone! Ya just never know!

    Best Wishes!
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer II
    Sep 03, 2014
    Is the toilet bowl filled with water at all times?

    Pour water down all the sinks/showers to make sure the p-traps are filled with water. Especially the sink in the bathroom which sometimes drains into the black tank. No water in the p-traps and the smell from the tanks comes right up into your RV.

    did you clean the gray tank as well? The smell from the gray tank can be just as bad.

    And just for safety sake make sure your stove knobs didn't get knocked on and it's propane you are smelling. Sounds strange but been there done that and everyone thought it was the vent for my gray tank. :R

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