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Open Roads Forum  >  Tech Issues

 > Gray Tank Smell (Seriously annoying)

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2112

Texas

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Posted: 07/15/22 05:46am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Don't forget to let us know the cause when you find it. Inquiring minds what to know.


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Wulrich

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Posted: 07/15/22 05:53am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

2112 wrote:

Don't forget to let us know the cause when you find it. Inquiring minds what to know.


I definitely will!

midnightsadie

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Posted: 07/15/22 05:59am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

had a smell one time was the seal around the commode. the rubber one at the slide gate.

jjrbus

FT Myers FL

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Posted: 07/15/22 07:08am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Tough one!! If all else fails a plumbing smoke test can be performed, either diy or professionally. Google RV plumbing smoke test. I had to strip a wall to repair a screw hole in the vent pipe.

opnspaces

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Posted: 07/15/22 09:00am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Quick warning on the dry ice. It can give you frost bite if you touch it with bare hands. Wear some kind of gloves thicker than surgical gloves or use a pair of tongs to pick up the ice pieces.


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Lantley

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Posted: 07/15/22 09:36am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

JimK-NY wrote:

Do I understand there are no odors unless the A/C is running? If that is the case, I don't see any connection with the grey water. I would check the A/C. Maybe a dead critter in the unit. As mentioned the A/C does not pull any outside air so the offending item would be inside in the A/C or ductwork if there is any.

The AC does not pull outside air but it does circulate interior air if the break or smell is present in the roof line or attic area it will drift into the AC duct system which is not 100% air tight.
Once the smell enters the AC duct the AC system blows the foul air into the interior of the RV where it becomes a noticable bad smell.


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Itinerant1

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Posted: 07/15/22 09:44am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Lantley wrote:

JimK-NY wrote:

Do I understand there are no odors unless the A/C is running? If that is the case, I don't see any connection with the grey water. I would check the A/C. Maybe a dead critter in the unit. As mentioned the A/C does not pull any outside air so the offending item would be inside in the A/C or ductwork if there is any.

The AC does not pull outside air but it does circulate interior air if the break or smell is present in the roof line or attic area it will drift into the AC duct system which is not 100% air tight.
Once the smell enters the AC duct the AC system blows the foul air into the interior of the RV where it becomes a noticable bad smell.


Why I mentioned to check vent pipes at roof line if everything else isn't curing the issue, can't hurt to check.


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pismopete

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Posted: 07/15/22 03:32pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Had the same problem with my two grey tanks. Bought a Flush King and back washed both tanks. Problem gone. Now I back flush every time I dump.

dougrainer

Carrolton, Texas

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Posted: 07/15/22 05:36pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

1. If you flush the GRAY tank and then put sweet smelling stuff in it. You should get sweet smelling odors. ALWAYS. I use Pine sol at our shop
2. You don't even mention the Black tank. The usual suspect in your case IS the Gray tank, but since you have completely flushed the Gray and use sweet smellers, then I would suspect the black tank
3. Is your RV Washer/Dryer prepped? If so, there is usually NO water in the drain tube P trap which stops gray odors. Even if you have a W/D, if rarely used the water drains or evaporates from that P trap
4. You are positive your Battery is not boiled dry?
5. Last, is not an easy thing to do. Your black tank toilet down pipe may not be attached to the top of the black tank and those odors WILL migrate up. Your GRAY tank may have the same problem, either one of the down pipes or even the vent pipe may not be attached securely into the tank. Also the Black vent pipe may also not be attached.
6. The roof vent covers for the tank vent pipes, the pipes may not protrude up into those caps. check and see if the ABS comes up all the way. Another EXTREME cause is the 1.5 ABS vent pipe is indeed ALL THE WAY up and the cap on the top on the vent pushing against the pipe effectively not allowing the tank to vent.
7. RVIA code dictates that correctly installed Tank systems must hold water when on the gray water you overfill until water comes up and the lowest point which is usually the shower or tub drain Black water must come up the toilet down pipe just below the ball valve and hold for 10 to 20 minutes. Doing this test will tell you if the connections on top the tanks are correctly sealed. IF you decide to do this test FLUSH/FLUSH/FLUSH the tanks.
8. USE Pinesol for smell tests.
9. Hopefully you do not have a dead critter someplace. Doug

red31

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Posted: 07/15/22 05:56pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

What is the source of the water from the faucet?

Cabin with well water has rotten egg smelling water, anaerobic bacteria grow in the pressure tank.

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