Sewer smell in pod
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10686
Printed Date: 28 Apr 2024 at 9:08pm
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Topic: Sewer smell in pod
Posted By: Danielw1
Subject: Sewer smell in pod
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2017 at 9:08am
| I took my rpod hunting for a week and used the bathroom sparingly. Now it has been sitting for two weeks and has a strong sewer smell as soon as you walk in. Normally I would drain the tank on the way home but I needed to get an elk in the fridge fast. There is water in the toilet and the gasket seal is good. All other traps have water in them. I would not think after two weeks it should be this bad, I also have put like 3 of those tablets in there. |
Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2017 at 10:37am
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double check the "air admittance valve", under the kitchen sink. Often an undiagnosable smell is from there. They are just a simple spring device, and they do fail. ------------- |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2017 at 10:38am
| Are you sure it's not gray tank stink? We've had that issue and my wife discovered that dumping a quart bottle of lemon juice down the drains does the trick. |
Posted By: riotkayak284
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2017 at 11:03am
| Plus 1, on the grey tank.... I find that sucker stinks more than the black water..... |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2017 at 12:09pm
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yes, grey tank odors enter through the AAV..
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Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2017 at 12:55pm
| Does the AAV work on the weight of the water hitting it, i.e. the water weight causes the valve to open and once the water's gone, it springs shut (if it's working properly)? |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2017 at 2:20pm
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The vacuum of the water trying to go down the drain pipe opens it, and then it springs back closed. It isn't "in-line", but at the top of a small stack, under the sink. Here is a picture of how it is put together in the pod as FR built it.. the sanitary T running to the right in this picture goes over to the "P" trap. The valve itself is at the top of the stack. https://postimg.org/image/6xklyzie5/">  Here is a picture of how and where I moved ours for the flush cooktop mod.. https://postimg.org/image/yl1wqtsyl/">  ------------- |
Posted By: Danielw1
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2017 at 10:25pm
| I kept thinking that it may be the grey tank so I put water in all the drains thinking the trap was dry. I'll check that valve. Thank you |
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2017 at 5:19am
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+10 on all the solutions. Early in camper ownership, I also encountered this issue. Keeping water in thr traps, but especially putting a tank chemical into the gray and black tanks, eliminates the odor. There is a sewer gas vent pipe through the roof. So if the tank hasn't been treated AFTER dumping, it can indeed smell. I mix tank chem in a large bucket, and dump about a gallon in each tank (toilet and sink) , after each trip. Never had an issue after that. ------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2017 at 10:16am
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Where is the odor the strongest? If it is under the kitchen sink cabinet, then that would indicate the AAV might be the problem. While you are under there, check the tightness of the drain fittings and look for evidence of leaks from the P trap. If it is elsewhere, it could indicate a different problem. My parents had an RV where somehow, the vent pipe that should have gone through the roof became disconnected below the roof. I don't know for sure but is there another AAV behind the bathroom sink? Next time I go out to our 179, I will have to look and see. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2017 at 4:14pm
There may be.. but it should be tied into the roof vent from the tank itself. We didn't have a bathroom sink. ------------- |
Posted By: shroomer
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2017 at 7:29am
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Things that go stink that I fixed: 1. Gasket at base of toilet 2. AAV valve under kitchen sink 3. Caulking around vent stack at roof ------------- Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6 New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8 |
Posted By: Danielw1
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 7:27pm
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Checked under kitchen sink and no odor at all. Only stinks in bathroom and there is water in toilet and vent is clear. It does not look like I can check the bottom of the toilet flange without pulling it. I guess I'm going to dump the tank tomorrow but this is frustrating not being able to figure it out. You should be able to go a while without dumping if everything is working properly, correct?
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Posted By: shroomer
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 7:57pm
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The valve at the bottom of the toilet will still hold water even if the gasket is bad. The gasket seals between the tank and toilet and keeps odors out. If you're going to pull the toilet make sure you have a new gasket right there to replace the old one. The stink is pretty bad. They're small cheap foam rubber thingies. Not sure where I got mine. Might have been an RV dealer that sold Thetford toilets/parts. It was a few years ago. ------------- Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6 New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8 |
Posted By: Danielw1
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 8:23pm
| Would you think the gasket could be bad after that short amount of time? It's a 15 and had very little (almost none) use by previous owner |
Posted By: shroomer
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 8:30pm
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It could be bad. It's a cheap fix. Esp if you think the smell is coming from the bathroom. Seems like you've eliminated the valve under the kitchen sink. Traps are all filled? ------------- Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6 New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8 |
Posted By: Danielw1
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 11:58pm
| Yes, all traps are filled. Guess I will try the gasket. Can't be any worse than a wax ring im sure |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 7:38am
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It's easier than a wax ring, but unless it wasn't seated properly to begin with, it doesn't seem likely to be the problem, to me anyway. Kinda triple checking, but there's water in the shower floor trap? TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Danielw1
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 9:41am
| Yes water is in the shower trap. Had me wondering though.. the shower drains into the grey tank right? |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 10:32am
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Right. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 10:36am
Yes.. But.. just so you know.. after use and time, there really is no discernible difference in the smell from either tank... In fact when I dropped the tanks on our Airstream, I truly think the grey smelled the worst. ------------- |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 11:03am
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I think there is a huge difference in the treatment you use also. I got the blue, thick , really gooey kind from thetford in a sample size to start. I then bought the orange cheaper type over the summer. I found i got sewer odor, and thought it must be because of the heat of summer. I then thought i'd buy the thick blue more expensive type to see if it made a difference. In MY opinion, without a doubt the thick blue gooey more expensive thetford treatment wins hands down. I have smelled nothing what so ever since going back. Even leaving the tank 1/3 full for 3 weeks. I also use grey tank treatment and i'm very careful about what goes in my drains. I wash all dishes outside with moist wipes before they ever get near the sink. i dont even pour leftover coffee in the sink. I have no real grey tank odor either. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 2:03pm
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I have started using the biological treatments and the smell is definitely less than when I was using the blue or green treatments. TankTechsRx or RV Digest-It are two that I have tried.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: shroomer
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 6:16pm
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+1 on the biologicals ------------- Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6 New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8 |
Posted By: Danielw1
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2017 at 8:59pm
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I will try the different treatment. The one I'm currently using is camco tst, it says biodegradable.
Does anyone know what the part# is for the toilet gasket? I am sure it has to be coming from there. Thanks |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2017 at 9:05pm
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http://www.thetford.com/part/aqua-magic-v-hand-flush/%20 - http://www.thetford.com/part/aqua-magic-v-hand-flush/ The link will take you to a parts diagram with part numbers. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Danielw1
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2017 at 9:29pm
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I just found this from outlander website.. maybe it's the answer!! Makes total since:
"Finally, in the summer of 2008, I solved the problem. There is an overflow tube that extends from right near where flush water enters the top of the bowl directly to the black water tank. This is apparently intended to keep the toilet from overflowing if there is a small leak in the water valve. The tube is curved, forming an "S" trap. If there is no water in the "S", there is a direct passage between the black water tank and the bathroom. Thus - BAD odors in your living quarters - regardless of what chemicals are in the tank. To fill the "S" with water, simply fill the toilet to the brim. Let it stand for a couple of minutes to make sure the overflow trap is filled, and flush it down. Then, just use the toilet normally. It would probably be a good idea to repeat this a few times during the camping season, just in case the trapped water is sloshed out or evaporates. At any rate, we have had NO ODORS SINCE WE STARTED DOING THIS!" For a diagram showing the overflow tube, see: http://www.thetford....18/Default.aspx PALOD |
Posted By: Danielw1
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2017 at 9:41pm
| Wrong about that! Looks like the only hole in the top is the inlet |
Posted By: TEDDY
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2017 at 8:36am
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What toilet chemical do you use? We are transitioning from an Aliner (using a potra-potty) to an rPod 178 - didn't seem to matter what chemical we used in the porta potty - just a few gallons capacity, but I think using the right chemical will be important in the 178. ------------- Teddy |
Posted By: pgoelz
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2017 at 10:18am
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Also don't forget that the black water tank roof vent is close to the bathroom fan / vent. I'm guessing that depending on wind direction it would be easy for fumes to waft back into the bathroom via the fan if the vent was left even partially open. Not a big deal unless the pod is left closed up for a while. Paul ------------- 2014 Rpod 171 2017 Toyota Highlander |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 2:32pm
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We use the following to deodorize and clean Grey Water.
Walex TOI-61776 Elemonate Grey Water Deodorizer and Cleaner $8 for 10. Deodorizes grey tank • Freshens sink and drain lines • Dissolves grease and organic sludge from drain lines and grey tank • Bio-degradable • Rapid dissolve tablet and for Black Water we use. Walex BIO-11530 Bio-Pak Natural Holding Tank Deodorizer and Waste Digester. $12 for 10. No need for special toilet paper (We use the camping paper). • Deodorizes and breaks down waste and paper • Pre-packaged portion control - no measuring or pouring • Non-staining color • Septic tank safe Both do a pretty good job. If we are camping for 5+ days I usually have to add another tablet to the grey and packet to the black. This is the only one we have tried. Probably others as good. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing. 
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