URGENT HELP NEEDED - MAJOR SMELL FROM BATHROOM

[marcarolle]

This is our 15th night this season. First time happening:

Strong odour (you know which one) from the bathroom - for the last 2 hours.

We did nothing different today. This is our 2nd season with this TT. Prior to that, 4 seasons in an hybrid.

Wife says the bad smell comes from bad seal/gasket.

I said I would check on the forum; maybe you guys can come up with a number of reasons why it started smelling tonight. I wish I could tell you a bit more; but really, we use bathroom for #1s and #2s. If we need to use more toilet paper, we dispose of it in a garbage bag. We're camping with water/electric. No sewer. We arrived Saturday at 1 p.m. Now it's Sunday 11h45 p.m. We know it's not full.

Can you guys direct to what you think could be reasons for this strong bad smell?

Thanks

Marc

[j-d]

The Tank Dump Valve has to be fully closed, even on a Full Hookup site.

[2edgesword]

The one time we had this problem it was due to the black tank vent being partially blocked. To check that the vent is open you have to get on the roof of the trailer, remove the vent cover and look down the vent tube with a flashing. You should be able to see into the black tank. Another issue could be the vent cover has shifted and is blocking the vent. I cut about 1/4 - 1/2 inch from the top of the vent to provide more space for fumes from the tank to escape and that solved the problem. If that vent is blocked gas pressure builds up in the black tank and when you flush the toilet the pressure and fumes get released into the trailer.

[marcarolle]

Great, smell is gone now.

Thanks all for your precious input.

Now 1:20 a.m... will go to bed and tomorrow will check the valves under bathroom cabinet.

Cheers!

Marc

[wopachop]

Don't run roof vents. Your best approach at this point is to push air into the trailer for positive pressure. Open a window facing the wind and close all other windows.

[Lynnmor]

There may be an air admittance valve under the sink, if you can find it, seal it with a plastic bag.

[marcarolle]

Wopachop:

It's 1:00 a.m. now, and I'm afraid of heights... I will pass as for putting heavy bowls over the vents! LOL

"Be careful it's no joke up there."

I know! I installed the MaxAirs last summer, one being next to the black tank vent. That - added to my fear of heights - made for an unpleasant chore!

Thanks for the reply!

[wopachop]

Its the wind blowing down your vents. Pushing bad smells into the trailer.

You could go put heavy bowls over the vents for a temp fix. Put something under the bowl so it can still vent.

Be careful it's no joke up there.

[marcarolle]

UPDATE

TexasShadow:
I always use Camco orange RV black tank concentrated treatment after emptying both tanks. We started our stay on empty tanks. NO AC or fan used tonight. Thanks!

Copeland :
I have closed the vent. Odour seems to be less strong. Waiting to see… Thanks!

Weldon:
Bolts at the base are tight.

But when you say:
Is there a check valve for the black tank vent?
What am I supposed to be looking for, and where?

SidecarFlip:
Hmmm… good point. I had baked beans at lunch time, and chili for supper. You think this could be the reason??? LOL

Tonight is quite windy (no pun intended) outside. I could very well be that the bathroom vent was picking up the smell from the black tank vent, pushed by the wind. I closed the bathroom vent 35 min ago, and it seems to be smelling less… but not 100% (my nose is probably playing tricks on me).


Other opinions are still welcome. Thanks all for coming to my rescue.

[SidecarFlip]

Change your diet????? Beans cause that smell....lol

[Weldon]

Is there a check valve for the black tank vent?

[Weldon]

Is there a check valve for the black tank vent?

[Weldon]

Can you see bolts or nuts around the base of the commode? If so see if one or more is loose. If so tighten them up so they are evenly tight. This might pull the commode down on the seal. Don't overdo it.

[TexasShadow]

we used a a couple cups of borax and a cup or 2 of cheap liquid laundry detergent in about a gallon of water each time we dump the tanks and start off empty. This works very well to keep smells down or non existent.
if you are running a/c, check to see if the return air is sucking air from the bathroom.

[marcarolle]

Smart! I'll do that and get back to you. It's windy tonight.

Thanks.

[copeland343]

If bathroom roof vent open it might be coming in that way