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Holding Tank Smell - Printable Version

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Holding Tank Smell - Kurt Horvath - 10-18-2008 11:10

Potential Sources of Smells

I have posted a picture that I show some of the sources for smells
from the holding tanks in the W?D closet.

The red square is the now infamous Watts Check Valve. Take it off and
throw that hunk of junk as far away from your coach as you can.
Reconnect the pipes. It's your call if you want to install a check
valve.

Another source could be the drain trap for the W/D discharge hose.
Designated by the red arrow. The water in the trap can evaporate and
let noxious odors into the coach. The fix for this is Perplies W/D
Drain Trap Upgrade - Message #37996 The last three photos in my
album Bumpersbird show most of the story.

Not all of these coaches are plumed the same the green arrows are
pointing at a vent pipe that connects my Gray and Black tanks. So if
you have an air leak in the Watts or evaporation in the P trap and
the coach windows are open while driving the vacuum effect will give
you a snout full.

The drain pipes may also have Mechanical Plumbing Vents to prevent
siphoning of the drain traps under the sinks, and maybe the shower.
They will be at the top of a vertical pipe located in a difficult to
inaccessible place along the drain lines.

There may be more sources of odor but this will get you started. Rob
suggested the toilet overflow and you might have a loose or broken
pipe that you'll just have to hunt down.

I will pump a product here TREATZALL the best holding tank stuff
I've used in 27 years of RV'ing

Kurt Horvath
95 PT 42
10AC


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Rob Robinson"
wrote:
>
> John that's where I found the WATTS valve on mine. It was behind
the W/D and
> accessed through a panel
>
> 2008/10/18 John Mann
>
> > I have a 1985 PT-40 and when I open the windows I get that
smell seems
> > to be from behind the slide out cabinets right next to the washer
on
> > the curb side. Is there some valve behind the washer that is bad?
> >
> > John Mann
> > 1985 pt40
> > Granbury Tx.
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com 40yahoogroups.com>,
> > Leroy Eckert
> > wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > Thanks Kurt.
> > > I have studied my prints throughout this thread and I don't
have a
> > Watts valve listed in the parts section, and have never seen one.
It's
> > most likely location would be behind the washer dryer wall in my
> > coach.. My plumbing prints are also not as built in several ways.
The
> > prints show two vac-u-jet roof vents, I have one roof vent so I
guess
> > my vents are tied together somewhere. My prints show two check
vents
> > near the sink water traps; I have two. My kitchen sink and shower
go
> > to the gray tank. The toilet, vanity sink and washer dryer go to
the
> > black tank. I like this configuration because the tanks are almost
> > always balanced out and the washer dryer keeps the black tank
clean,
> > no monitor problems. I do not have any problems while driving
even
> > with a window open if I close the drains prior to departure. I do
not
> > have any problems while stationary, except when using the shower
with
> > the Fantastic fan on. If I crack a window with this fan on while
using
> > > the shower there is no problem. Strange deal. So I close the
drains
> > when driving, and crack a window if I chose to use the Fantastic
fan
> > while using the shower. I seldom use the thing because it sounds
like
> > a jet plane. I like the old Kool-O-Matic in the kitchen much
better so
> > it gets used often..
> > > I still think the vent checks allow air into the tank system
while
> > driving so the vac-u-vent will work; but I do not intend to tear
the
> > coach apart to figure it out. I cannot see how the vac-u-vent can
work
> > without inlet air. To make things worse, the vac-u-vent operates
in a
> > semi-vacuum environment at best, maybe worse. lmo
> > > I am glad you found your problem. This must be an ongoing
problem
> > because of the differences in the coaches and related plumbing.
> > > One other thing, I never use any deodorant in my tanks.
> > > Leroy Eckert
> > > 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> > > Dahlonega, GA
> > > Royale Conversion
> > >
> > >
> > > --- On Fri, 10/17/08, Kurt Horvath wrote:
> > > From: Kurt Horvath
> > > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Holding Tank Smell
> > > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com 40yahoogroups.com>
> > > Date: Friday, October 17, 2008, 2:26 PM
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Leroy,
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I think I have located and repaired the source of the holding
tank
> > >
> > > smell with the widows open while driving. The Watts valve on
the Black
> > >
> > > Tank Flush system. This is a feable device and mine permitted
air to
> > >
> > > pass in both directions. Once I dissasembled the device the
aroma was
> > >
> > > overpowering. The fix thanks to Rob, is a check valve and an
enclosed
> > >
> > > system. I have gotten to test it yet due to my coach being down
with a
> > >
> > > major exhaust system overhaul. I'll let you know ASAP if it
worked.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Kurt Horvath
> > >
> > > 95 PT42
> > >
> > > 10AC
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > __________________________________________________
> > > Do You Yahoo!?
> > > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> > > http://mail.yahoo.com
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson
> 94 WLWB
>

Holding Tank Smell - Rob Robinson - 10-18-2008 11:12

John I was wondering if you got the PMI sent youwith pictures of my removed WATTS valve. Kurt also has some good pics of the valve in location.


2008/10/18 John Mann <"JMann04@charter.net">



I have a 1985 PT-40 and when I open the windows I get that smell seems
to be from behind the slide out cabinets right next to the washer on
the curb side. Is there some valve behind the washer that is bad?


John Mann
1985 pt40
Granbury Tx.

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", Leroy Eckert
wrote:
>
> Thanks Kurt.
> I have studied my prints throughout this thread and I don't have a
Watts valve listed in the parts section, and have never seen one. It's
most likely location would be behind the washer dryer wall in my

coach.. My plumbing prints are also not as built in several ways. The
prints show two vac-u-jet roof vents, I have one roof vent so I guess
my vents are tied together somewhere. My prints show two check vents
near the sink water traps; I have two. My kitchen sink and shower go

to the gray tank. The toilet, vanity sink and washer dryer go to the
black tank. I like this configuration because the tanks are almost
always balanced out and the washer dryer keeps the black tank clean,
no monitor problems. I do not have any problems while driving even

with a window open if I close the drains prior to departure. I do not
have any problems while stationary, except when using the shower with
the Fantastic fan on. If I crack a window with this fan on while using
> the shower there is no problem. Strange deal. So I close the drains

when driving, and crack a window if I chose to use the Fantastic fan
while using the shower. I seldom use the thing because it sounds like
a jet plane. I like the old Kool-O-Matic in the kitchen much better so
it gets used often..

> I still think the vent checks allow air into the tank system while
driving so the vac-u-vent will work; but I do not intend to tear the
coach apart to figure it out. I cannot see how the vac-u-vent can work

without inlet air. To make things worse, the vac-u-vent operates in a
semi-vacuum environment at best, maybe worse. lmo
> I am glad you found your problem. This must be an ongoing problem
because of the differences in the coaches and related plumbing.

> One other thing, I never use any deodorant in my tanks.
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> Dahlonega, GA
> Royale Conversion
>
>
> --- On Fri, 10/17/08, Kurt Horvath wrote:

> From: Kurt Horvath
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Holding Tank Smell
> To: "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com"
> Date: Friday, October 17, 2008, 2:26 PM

>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Leroy,
>
>
>
> I think I have located and repaired the source of the holding tank
>

> smell with the widows open while driving. The Watts valve on the Black
>
> Tank Flush system. This is a feable device and mine permitted air to
>
> pass in both directions. Once I dissasembled the device the aroma was

>
> overpowering. The fix thanks to Rob, is a check valve and an enclosed
>
> system. I have gotten to test it yet due to my coach being down with a
>
> major exhaust system overhaul. I'll let you know ASAP if it worked.

>
>
>
> Kurt Horvath
>
> 95 PT42
>
> 10AC
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around

> http://mail.yahoo.com
>





--
Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson

94 WLWB


Holding Tank Smell - John Mann - 10-19-2008 05:36

Yes thanks for info!

John Mann
1985 pt40
Granbury Tx.



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Rob Robinson" wrote:
>
> John I was wondering if you got the PM I sent you with pictures of my
> removed WATTS valve. Kurt also has some good pics of the valve in location.
>
> 2008/10/18 John Mann
>
> > I have a 1985 PT-40 and when I open the windows I get that smell seems
> > to be from behind the slide out cabinets right next to the washer on
> > the curb side. Is there some valve behind the washer that is bad?
> >
> > John Mann
> > 1985 pt40
> > Granbury Tx.
> >
> > --- In
WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com,
> > Leroy Eckert
> > wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > Thanks Kurt.
> > > I have studied my prints throughout this thread and I don't have a
> > Watts valve listed in the parts section, and have never seen one. It's
> > most likely location would be behind the washer dryer wall in my
> > coach.. My plumbing prints are also not as built in several ways. The
> > prints show two vac-u-jet roof vents, I have one roof vent so I guess
> > my vents are tied together somewhere. My prints show two check vents
> > near the sink water traps; I have two. My kitchen sink and shower go
> > to the gray tank. The toilet, vanity sink and washer dryer go to the
> > black tank. I like this configuration because the tanks are almost
> > always balanced out and the washer dryer keeps the black tank clean,
> > no monitor problems. I do not have any problems while driving even
> > with a window open if I close the drains prior to departure. I do not
> > have any problems while stationary, except when using the shower with
> > the Fantastic fan on. If I crack a window with this fan on while using
> > > the shower there is no problem. Strange deal. So I close the drains
> > when driving, and crack a window if I chose to use the Fantastic fan
> > while using the shower. I seldom use the thing because it sounds like
> > a jet plane. I like the old Kool-O-Matic in the kitchen much better so
> > it gets used often..
> > > I still think the vent checks allow air into the tank system while
> > driving so the vac-u-vent will work; but I do not intend to tear the
> > coach apart to figure it out. I cannot see how the vac-u-vent can work
> > without inlet air. To make things worse, the vac-u-vent operates in a
> > semi-vacuum environment at best, maybe worse. lmo
> > > I am glad you found your problem. This must be an ongoing problem
> > because of the differences in the coaches and related plumbing.
> > > One other thing, I never use any deodorant in my tanks.
> > > Leroy Eckert
> > > 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> > > Dahlonega, GA
> > > Royale Conversion
> > >
> > >
> > > --- On Fri, 10/17/08, Kurt Horvath wrote:
> > > From: Kurt Horvath
> > > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Holding Tank Smell
> > > To:
WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > > Date: Friday, October 17, 2008, 2:26 PM
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Leroy,
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I think I have located and repaired the source of the holding tank
> > >
> > > smell with the widows open while driving. The Watts valve on the Black
> > >
> > > Tank Flush system. This is a feable device and mine permitted air to
> > >
> > > pass in both directions. Once I dissasembled the device the aroma was
> > >
> > > overpowering. The fix thanks to Rob, is a check valve and an enclosed
> > >
> > > system. I have gotten to test it yet due to my coach being down with a
> > >
> > > major exhaust system overhaul. I'll let you know ASAP if it worked.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Kurt Horvath
> > >
> > > 95 PT42
> > >
> > > 10AC
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > __________________________________________________
> > > Do You Yahoo!?
> > > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> > > http://mail.yahoo.com
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson
> 94 WLWB
>

Holding Tank Smell - John Mann - 10-22-2008 11:46

After reading this post I pulled the washer out of its closet, there
was no watts valve so while there I replaced the check valve on top of
the 1 1/2 inch drain pipe with a new one and also enclosed the end of
the pipe where the washer drain hose is located as for no air to
escape when the p valve is dry. I hope this will help appreciate all
the help here from many members that know alot about these birds Thank
again.

John Mann
1985 pt40
Granbury Tx.

Holding Tank Smell - Ryan Wright - 10-22-2008 13:48

John,

I don't have a washer/dryer in my '86 PT-40. That said, I DO get stink
coming in - from the center cruise-air!! I don't know how or why but
the center unit sucks in stink once the holding tank gets partially
full. I can smell it pretty bad coming right out that A/C vent. Turn
off the cruise-air and the smell mostly (not entirely) goes away
(except for the lingering smell that's already been sucked in). Or,
dump the holding tanks and then I can use the cruise-air smell-free.

It also seems related to movement of the coach. I spend time in the
coach on a daily basis even when it's just parked at home and I use
the facilities, so the tanks slowly fill up over several weeks. Under
those conditions there is rarely any smell. Once I start driving,
though, within half an hour or so the cruise-air starts sucking it in.
Now I go straight to the dump any time I leave the house (I need to
get an RV dump installed at home).

I'd love to know how to fix this... I replaced the manual dump valve
seals last year because "stuff" was leaking through and making a mess
when I took the cap off the dump port. I figured that was the source
of the smell, but the new valves are tightly sealed (yay, no more
embarrassing dump incidents!) and the smell remains (boo...).

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92


On Sat, Oct 18, 2008 at 12:20 PM, John Mann wrote:
> I have a 1985 PT-40 and when I open the windows I get that smell seems
> to be from behind the slide out cabinets right next to the washer on
> the curb side. Is there some valve behind the washer that is bad?
>
> John Mann
> 1985 pt40
> Granbury Tx.