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Detour2 · 07-20-2022, 09:22 AM

We purchased a used 2020 Fleetwood Bounder 33C motorhome with only 3500 miles and we love it. Everything works, as expected. Of course, it's an RV and we expect routine maintenance and fixes when required.

Unfortunately, we have found that when are black water (and gray water) tank is about 1/3 full, it starts to smell in the bedroom. Bathroom doesn't smell. We've tried the usual treatments. Dawn, Borax, Fabric Softner, etc., without much success.

I thought that maybe it was the gray water and smell might be coming from where the washer/dryer would be located. It does not. It's stronger around the slide-out wall and even seems like it's coming through the air vents a bit. Ugh.

I have seen other posts about this but without a real solution. Thought I would bring it back around to this group for recommendations. I appreciate your feedback!

billy_RV · 07-20-2022, 12:01 PM

Is the smell in the bedroom? Driver or passenger side? The plumbing from the washer/dryer runs under the cabinets towards the center of the unit and meet about where the shower is at. In the bathroom you should have the gray and black tank vents, make sure they are not clogged.

computerguy · 07-20-2022, 12:12 PM

I would take the metal panel off above the propane tank. It is possible the bellows in the vacuflush system has split and leaking some pleasant effluent from it. If it is just taking that cover off will be quite "pleasant" and you'll know where it is coming from. This is where the vacuflush pump lives.
It could b the vent pipes to the roof have come loose from the tanks. Those vents go through the bedroom/bath wall (gray) and bath/living room (black).
I know when I flush my toilet, the BR AC is on I get some smell for a short period. I am guessing it is getting sucked through the roof vent into the AC unit. It only last a very short period then it is gone so I have not looked into it further. In theory the AC unit should not allow this but theory s one thing, reality is something totally different.