Forum Discussion

Mbiallas's avatar
Mbiallas
Explorer
May 02, 2016

Smelly Toilet

Let me start by saying how much I appreciate the help I have received on this forum. You folks are awesome.

The issue I am dealing with now is a super stinky toilet. The odd thing is that if it sits for a while (half a day or so) there is no odor. But as soon as water is added to the bowl the smell is awful even before use. The water is clear when added to the bowl but it is horrendous and stinks up the whole camper for hours.

We have the camper in a remote area with no well so water is at a premium. I was considering filling a few barrels with water and flushing the system over and over in hopes it will get rid of the smell.

Again if it sits for a good while there is no smell but as soon as we pull the lever to fill the bowl it is rotten. This is prior to flushing the toilet.

Any recommendations on how I can eliminate this issue?
Seeking Advice
  • Mbiallas's avatar
    Mbiallas
    Explorer
    May 02, 2016
    Momentum I don't know why there is no water in the bowl after use. I haven't paid much attention to it. Next time I can fill it and see if the water stays in the bowl or if it slowly goes down on its own.

    Sometimes when I flush it the waste and tp leave the bowl but accumulate in the cavity beneath the flapper. I grabbed a stiff stick and shoved it down there and eventually got it to flush properly but the smell now is enough to knock a buzzard off a gut wagon.

    Knowing how an rv toilet works would probably help get this issue resolved but I simply don't know anything about them.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    May 02, 2016
    Is toilet bowl HOLDING water after last use?

    After last flush and bowl valve closes water should trickle into bowl....enough to cover the seal and stay in toilet.
    The water is what stops black tank odors from coming up thru toilet.

    Not holding water allows stick to get past bowl valve....clean seal
  • momentum_rv's avatar
    momentum_rv
    Explorer
    May 02, 2016
    I'm confused as to how the smell from the tank or anywhere else is only noticed when the tank valve is CLOSED while adding water. If that is the case the vent has nothing to do with it. Also why is there no water in the bowl after the last use?
  • Mbiallas's avatar
    Mbiallas
    Explorer
    May 02, 2016
    Thanks for the responses. The sink and shower water are fine and have zero odor. Momentum I am not sure how to answer your question. The toilet has a large handle that flushes and a small one recessed into the large one. The small one just fills the toilet with water. The strange thing is that the smell is sometimes immediate when simply filling the bowl prior to use.

    Rock Dodger any idea how to determine is the vent is clogged. I'm not sure where to begin looking.

    Thanks for the info and help folks. Please keep the suggestions coming.
  • RockDodger's avatar
    RockDodger
    Explorer
    May 02, 2016
    It could also be a clogged vent pipe. It happens more in grey water tanks than black, but it does happen sometimes.:(
  • momentum_rv's avatar
    momentum_rv
    Explorer
    May 02, 2016
    Sounds like you have a water problem not a toilet problem. Does it smell when using the sink or shower?

    or are you opening the toilet ball valve enough to let the smell from the black tank out while trying to "add water"?

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