Sewer Smell

[Dogpa]

I have a 2005 Mandalay 40B and have owned since 20,000 miles, has 34,000 now. It has always had a bit of a sewer smell when driving. I do not run with vents open, both tanks have been bleached but on recent trip I received smell through dash A/C, crazy right? I had in shop and they replaced the pop vent valves,(3), saying they were bad and that was the problem. Drove away 20 miles to next destination and same thing. Any suggestions? I did call the repair facility and they advised to clean tanks, which I had already done.

[Jim]

JC2 wrote:

RoadXYZ wrote:

parkdep wrote:
This is what I used, easy to install and took away sewer smell completely Sewer Vent

This is what we finally had installed on Monday - and wow it is a world of difference ! Smell is totally gone !

Thanx for the suggestion !

Me thinks you might have overpaid a little. This is what we have used with good results.
:Ehttp://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/cyclone-sewer-vent/31992

And Me Thinks that even $17 each is to much when plastic plumbing 'T's do the same job just as well for $3 each.

[Dogpa]

All great suggestions ans it seems there are as many liquids to out in tanks as there are owners. The diluted fabric softner worked quite well and was even touted but my MH dealer but the real fix was replaceing all of the pop vents, event he one for the washer, which we do not use, but keep the trap filled. Nice to not smell for a change. Thanks for all responses. Off to the road..

[JC2]

RoadXYZ wrote:

parkdep wrote:
This is what I used, easy to install and took away sewer smell completely Sewer Vent

This is what we finally had installed on Monday - and wow it is a world of difference ! Smell is totally gone !

Thanx for the suggestion !

Me thinks you might have overpaid a little. This is what we have used with good results.
:Ehttp://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/cyclone-sewer-vent/31992

[AikenRacer]

Had the same thing happen to our Mandalay Presidio. If you have a washer, run it to fill the p trap. Be sure all other traps have water in them also.

[RayChez]

The only thing I can suggest is to use the proper stuff in the black and grey tanks. All those soaps and detergents were not designed for those tanks, they are for washing dishes or clothes.

If you want to get rid of the smell, use enzyme called Happy Camper. Your tanks will always be clean, the sensors will not be giving you error readings. These enzymes break down all the solids and turn it back to liquid.

Another thing to do before any trip is to run some water on all the drains so that the traps have water in them.

I also agree with the top vent. Get the one that swivels around 360 degrees and sucks air out of the tanks on a venture effect.

Now as to the dash air throwing some smell??????????????

[RoadXYZ]

parkdep wrote:
This is what I used, easy to install and took away sewer smell completely Sewer Vent

This is what we finally had installed on Monday - and wow it is a world of difference ! Smell is totally gone !

Thanx for the suggestion !

[05Mandalay38b]

Had the same problem, quit using chemicals in tank and started using Dawn dish washing detergent. Smell went away!

Bruce Walker
2005Mandalay 38B

[Rustydog]

You said DASH AC. Do you have a dash condensate line plugged up causing the water around the evaporator to get stagnant? May not be easy to get to but you need to clean the evaporator, likely leaves and other junk in there with the water mix it should smell very ripe. Use caution cleaning as it can be a source for legionnaires disease.

[Executive45]

If you use a fabric softener like Downy in your tanks, it will foul up any sensors you have in there. Not a good idea...use Calgon solution, baking soda and water, or a bottle of good old hydrogen peroxide, but not fabric softener....Dennis

[J-Rooster]

Executive wrote:
Finally, check the "P" trap in the washer....if you haven't used the washer in awhile, the water evaporates and will allow a sewer smell back into the coach....Dennis

X-2, I've had more sewer like smells coming from the gray tank than the sewer. Poured a little deodorizer in the P-Traps in all 3 sinks and that took care of the problem for me.

[down_home]

Front Wheel bearing leaking a bit?

[dieharder]

Probably a silly question, but do you have the plugs pushed into the sinks and tub? What some people think is sewer smell can also come from the grey tank. Some of that stuff really stinks too.

You can also drive with the bathroom vent open just a crack.

[Dogpa]

Sewer smell had dissipated as coach was left in covered shop overnight with windows open and drove 10 miles and no smell. Did find a pop vent valve associated with washer so will replace that. All p traps are full. Used a recommended solution of fabric softner and bleach to put in tanks while driving to clean out. thsnk for all quick responses hope I can help the same in future.

[Dogpa]

I had all three pop vents replaced and they said it was the issue but it is still there. All p traps have been replaced so will try to get to washer one, but used it recently. Will also change roof vent.