Where is the smell coming from?

[Bill C]

Good Day all, I hope this is the right place to post this question, but if not, I'm sure our great admin folks will move it for me.

When I drive down the road, we smell something like our black tank, although I guess it could be our grey tank, but I can't for the life of me figure out where it is coming from.

We usually smell it after we have it a large bump, or turned a corner a little too fast. It only smells for a little bit and then slowly goes away. I try to empty the grey and black tanks before traveling, which usually solves the problem, but I don't think it always does. Even a little, say 5-10% full, black tank produces the smell. I thought it might be the ABS in-Line Vent for the washer, but I replaced it and that did not solve the smell issue.

I looked at my black and grey tanks and did not see a crack, or vent leak, on the tanks themselves.

I don't have any fluid leaks anywhere while stationary, or moving (as best I can tell). My roof vent, for my holding tanks, seems to be functioning properly (again, as best I can tell).

Suggestions where to look?

Thanks in advance,

Bill

[bklaes]

Make sure the stove knobs didn't get bumped.

[Ivan K]

I replaced all the vacuum breakers, one by each sink plus the washer for that reason. When we don't use the washer for a while, the p-trap dries up and let's gray tank gas in too.

[Jdw12345]

You can also check the drain hoses from your sinks to the tanks.

[Bill C]

Hi Ivan, where are the sink traps, and what do they look like?

I will add water to the washer drain as well.

All good suggestions.

Thanks

1 minute ago, Jdw12345 said:

You can also check the drain hoses from your sinks to the tanks.

Sink Drain Hoses, mmmm... what do the hoses look like?

Thanks

[philcarrell]

You should have two vacuum breakers, one under kitchen sink and one under bathroom sink. They are black about 1 1/2 inches around and 3 inches high.  Black and you can purchase them at Lowes,  Home Depot etc.  That will probably cure your problem.

 

[Bill C]

1 minute ago, philcarrell said:

You should have two vacuum breakers, one under kitchen sink and one under bathroom sink. They are black about 1 1/2 inches around and 3 inches high.  Black and you can purchase them at Lowes,  Home Depot etc.  That will probably cure your problem.

 

Wow, thanks for the heads up, I did not know they were there, I will replace them ASAP

THANKS Phil

 

[Ivan K]

As Phil said, they are on the vertical pipe past p-trap under each sink.

[Bill C]

Found them, I have 3 that I will replace

Thanks

[Ivan K]

1 minute ago, Bill C said:

Found them, I have 3 that I will replace

Thanks

May not be the same but I have one behind the washer also.

[Bill C]

Yes, I knew about that one, and replaced it already, but to no avail.

Thanks

[hex_nut]

I have that issue when I have not used the washer/dryer for a while and the P-trap in the drain becomes empty allowing the gray tank to vent back into the coach.  I simply add a quart of water to the washer and run the drain cycle to replenish the water in the P-trap.

[Bill C]

Just now, hex_nut said:

I have that issue when I have not used the washer/dryer for a while and the P-trap in the drain becomes empty allowing the gray tank to vent back into the coach.  I simply add a quart of water to the washer and run the drain cycle to replenish the water in the P-trap.

Good Suggestion Richard

Thanks

[timaz996]

I put a cup of water down the washer line after I dump the gray tank because it sometimes will suck the P trap dry dumping. 

[Jdw12345]

2 hours ago, Bill C said:

Sink Drain Hoses, mmmm... what do the hoses look like?

Thanks

If you have a sink on a slide out you’ll have a hose that has to walk in and out when the slide moves in and out.

[Dennis H]

If I am not going to use the washer for awhile, I pour a small amount of mineral oil mixed with water into the P trap. Keeps the p trap from evaporating....Dennis

[96 EVO]

18 hours ago, Jdw12345 said:

You can also check the drain hoses from your sinks to the tanks.

Had a neighbor in a Travel Supreme who searched and searched for a nasty odor, only with the slides closed.

He emailed me a month after we departed. White spa hose had split on the top, with the split only opening up with the slide closed!

Never leaked any liquid!

[dl_racing427]

Another thing that hasn't been mentioned is check your toilet slide or ball valve.
It should hold a small amount of water in the bowl after flushing.  If it is draining completely, the valve is leaking and needs cleaning or new seals.
Also make sure the vents to the roof are clear.

[miacasa_2000]

All suggestions above are good. I'd like to add one more happened to me. On the roof the vent caps age and become brittle I had a piece chip off in such away as I drove it forced air down the vent pipe everytime my dw flushed it stunk to high heavens. Put a rotating one on now better then original.

Roy  2003 Dynasty