Tank Odors

[ambr607]

I've replaced all the AAV vents (including the one buried under the shower!!) and checked the roof vents for obstructions, run the washer, etc. Still get nasty tank odor in the cabin every time I drain the gray tank. It seems to be coming from around the shower area. So I changed out that AAV again with the same result. 2006 Phaeton 40QTH. Anyone have any new ideas? I know this is an old topic and I've tried everything I can think of.

[redtail]

I had the same issue a few years ago i found if i added water to thead a service tec sinks and shower drains it stopped had a service tec tell me the massive vacuum when draining the tank will sometimes pull the water out of the traps so tank odor can enter the cabin hope this will help its cheap. Mike

[redtail]

that didnt come out right after dumping i add water to sinks and the shower drains. i had a service tec tell me that the vacuum from dumping tanks can some times pull the water out of the drain traps and let tank odor enter the cabin. hope it helps it stopped my issue and its cheap Mike

[ambr607]

After almost 2 years of intermittent grey tank odor penetrating the cabin we finally solved the issue: a faulty joint at a coupler just under the roof vent. The odor always seemed to be strong next to the shower wall in the bedroom (2006 QTH floorplan). By pulling the heat vents and plumbing access panel I was able to get a light, mirror and eyes into the void behind the wall. No obvious answers until we used compressed air at the roof vent to chase the source. I noticed wood fibers falling from up top in the wall cavity when my helper induced the positive (slight so as not to blow traps or vents). I could see a coupler on the pvc tank vent pipe just under the roof and the joint looked suspect. The odor was strong in the wall with the air we were pushing into the tank. All other possibilities had been exhausted so we pulled the plywood skin off the wall to get to the pipe and I could feel a strong stream of air coming from the joint. Same air that had dislodged the wood particles left by the hole saw during the original build. The joint was still solidly glued but allowing air/gas to pass. Some 3m 5200 marine sealant took care of what I have to assume was a sloppy glue joint by the factory. Finally we have a stink-free coach and can put up all the candles, air fresheners, etc!

Hopefully no one else will experience this problem but I wanted to share just in case. Taking the thin plywood panel out was not that difficult. It was shot in with staples and removal, repairs, replace only took about 2 hours. Still not fun to rip into a coach like that!

[billdreamlv]

When I purchased my MH 2006 AB from La Mesa RV I drove it to our first RV park for the shake down cruise. We noticed that as soon as we used the toilet the MH began to smell. Then after several days and multiple showers I noticed the gray water was overflowing on to the ground and not bubbling up in the shower like it is supposed to. When we arrived back home I took apart my wet bay and found that the vent pipes (yes both), mounted on the top of the gray and black tanks were sheered off at the coupling that screws into the tanks. Evidently the previous owner had hit something so hard the tanks had flexed in the belly of the MH and broke off the vent pipes. I fixed them with some rubber couplers and new screw-in adapters on the tanks. What this told me was the previous owner must have driven with the tanks full and hit a bump or a dip that ripped the vent pipes from the tanks. Now was always empty the tanks before we drive home or go long distances.

[ambr607]

The bad seal we repaired was obviously not the only source of tank gasses entering the cabin. The frustration continues as we attempt to isolate and repair this problem. The unmistakable smell from the gray tank appears in random ways and in strange places. At times the odor is very noticeable as you enter the door and then dissipates as you progress through the cabin until you reach the area around the shower. As previously discussed, the cavity around the shower/fridge acts as an air passage down to the wet bay through the plumbing hole under the shower. You also have the gray vent stack in this cavity and the drain from the rear washing machine. Any of these pipes could be the problem if they have rubbed through. Odors from the tank or bay can come up through the plumbing hole and exit into the cabin around the pocket door that recesses between the shower and fridge or the electrical vent under the fridge.

Stay tuned as we dive in with a camera to find the problem. Ideas and solutions to similar problems are always welcome.