Community Forums

Blue74 · 08-09-2010, 08:16 PM

Does it look like this?

Or this?

Paul

94-Newmar · 08-09-2010, 08:26 PM

Mine looks like this:

CD · 08-09-2010, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94-Newmar

Uh.. guys/gals... the original poster asked how to remove the vents on the roof....

I'd like to know the same as well - I occasionally get a bad odor in the closet in the bathroom where the vent pipe is. My vent is like his, 3 posts or so that mount and are covered by caulking.. not just a cap that pops off from what I can tell.

Check with RV repair man about what to use when replacing cap. Then remove and check vent and decide on fix. I found mud dobber nest in ours (that had the pipe plugged). Knocked it out and problem fixed. Hope your's is that easy.

ralper · 09-15-2010, 02:59 PM

I have noticed that when the black tank is getting full that when I flush there is sometimes an odor. Upon draining the tank it goes away.

Always-RVing · 09-15-2010, 03:17 PM

Each sink, washer/dryer and shower if not roof vented should have an Auto-Vent. They are very common to go bad, do not close properly and allow grey tank gasses to enter the RV. Look under your sink for it.

They are extremely easy to remove and re-install. Get a quality vent. I replaced one and the odor was still occurring.. Thought it was something else, but the replacement vent was defective.

Take the vent, hold a flashlight up to it and see if any light comes through. Some have a rubber flap only and some have a spring loaded rubber flap.

1-1/2"IPS Auto Trap Vent

This auto trap vent features:

Generally used in mobile homes, RV's, and trailers (not code in many areas for homes)
Used in places where venting through the roof is not possible
Operates mechanically with a rubber diaphragm
Some call this mechanical vent a "check vent."

Wm.Lovell · 11-06-2010, 05:53 AM

In our 2005 Itasca 36 DP the black water smell has gotten worse over time. The first thing I found after removing the vent cap was that the vent stack was an inch below the roof line. I think the top of the black water tank sagged over time to cause this. At this location next to the vent pipe were many wires that were routed down into the coach. This gave a path for the sewer smell to enter the AC duct work in the ceiling, not good! I pulled the vent pipe up a couple of inches with vice grips and drilled two quarter inch holes in the pipe and slide a two inch long bolt through it. This bolt then rested on the roof and held the pipe up. I then sealed around the pipe and the roof before reinstalling the vent cap. I checked the black water tank and it was still resting on the metal supports below and the pipe was still glued securely to the top of the tank.

I then removed the wood panel directly behind the toilet. I found that the manufacture had cut a huge hole there for wire and pipe access. The hole is directly above the black water tank. Poly tanks will contain liquids, but not odors. The odors had a direct path into the coach. I cut out a cardboard template to cover the hole and sealed the whole area with metallic tape. Not gooey duct tape. I just went 1500 miles with absolutely no black water tank odors.

unit · 11-06-2010, 07:28 AM

This may not be your problem, but I've found that water can bounce out of the sink trap while driving and cause odors inside the trailer. I try to ensure the sinks are sealed while traveling and then run water to refill the traps when stopped to prevent odors.

bldrbob · 11-06-2010, 08:28 AM

My shower drain empties while traveling. We fill a ziplock bag with water and cover the drain.Solved our problem.
BOB

wa8yxm · 11-06-2010, 09:44 AM

First the caps.. Often there is a screw in the very top part of the cap, Remove this screw and the "Cap" comes off the pipe.

Regarding the Smell.. I have seen several cases where someone describedit as "Smelling like rotten Eggs" Which is sulfur dioxide, which is a battery product believe it or not.. Though it can also be produced in a sewer system or hot, water heater (I know who heats hot water, but what I mean is a water heater when it is hot)

two-niner · 11-06-2010, 02:24 PM

NLOVINIT: You MAY have a portion of of the vent in the black tank blocked. It can occur while driving to a dump site with a full black water tank.
The easiest solution is to run a water hose down the vent pipe and flush the pipe.
Just saying......
The plumbing code for stick homes/buildings require ten feet between a waste/vent pipe and any possible opening (think windows or doors). What's the distance on an average motor home? The margin for error is slim.

Kerry

**NLOVNIT** · 11-06-2010, 06:16 PM

Thanks, two-niner. That's something to check.

Update: The smell has stopped. We had it for 1 or 2 trips after we had to run with the tanks full after leaving the KY rally. But, once we went through a couple of dumps & flushes after following camping trips, the smell went away. We were on a 10-day trip to PA last month & not once did the odor reoccur. Of course, we've never travelled with full tanks again, either. We're done camping until spring, so I'll have to wait until then to further investigate.

Lori-

unit · 11-08-2010, 07:22 AM

Post a picture of the vent - there are different types. It sounds like the first poster will need to use a knife and cut the sealant from around the legs, remove a couple of screws and then remove it. Some have prongs that grab onto the inside wall of the vent and just pull out. The check valve - I don't know.

cc53fd · 01-12-2011, 02:27 PM

i also notices if the traps on the sinks dry out sometime a odor will appear

Mopar1973Man · 01-13-2011, 07:43 AM

I also wondered why there was a pipe stub with a threaded top (female) under the kitchen counter pointed straight up. Do I have to get a vent or could I just put a cap in the hole?