Community Forums

Craig N Deb · 05-28-2013, 08:24 PM

Hi All,
Well, here I am again....... Deb and I hit the road this last weekend for a great getaway in central Illinois with our friends the Blases'. Great trip but, here is the issue.....
About once a day we have to either plunge the toilet and or the shower to keep things draining. It is like the coach is vapor locked or something. Deb took a shower and the bathroom sink had bubbles coming up the drain. The toilet burps back at you if you don't plunge it once a day. I drained both tanks and used the showers in the black tank to be certain everything was clean and empty. Deb was washing dishes in the kitchen and there was a gurgling noise in the bathroom. I know this sounds weird but I think we have some sort of venting issue.
It was only the two of us using the facilities and this happened everyday!
Please help me figure this out......I am afraid to bring the kids or take friends with us while this is going on.

Thanks in advance
Craig

Wolfpack Fan · 05-28-2013, 08:33 PM

I'm sure there will be some good answers from the members. But I think a little more information is needed. What was your set up when this was happening? Were you on a sewer hook up? Were gray and/or black valves open or closed as gurgling bubbling problem was occurring?

cb1000rider · 05-28-2013, 08:45 PM

One thing that makes sense to me is if your roof vent were plugged. IF so, the system is "sealed" and that water can't displace air that would normally go out the vent...

Craig N Deb · 05-28-2013, 08:45 PM

You are right.... We were hooked up to full hook-ups. The valves were closed unless I was dumping the tanks. There was only the two of us and we didn't ever get over 1/4 full on either tank. One day I actually opened the valves and did the tank wash and it did the same thing a couple hours later.
The only thing I can figure is a vapor lock of some sort.
How would I check this?? Is there a way to try and clean the venting tube? Where is the venting tube?? Can I flush the vent tube??

redbaron73 · 05-28-2013, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig N Deb

You are right.... We were hooked up to full hook-ups. The valves were closed unless I was dumping the tanks. There was only the two of us and we didn't ever get over 1/4 full on either tank. One day I actually opened the valves and did the tank wash and it did the same thing a couple hours later.
The only thing I can figure is a vapor lock of some sort.
How would I check this?? Is there a way to try and clean the venting tube? Where is the venting tube?? Can I flush the vent tube??

Do you have a vent cap or is it just a straight pipe? I would check if something made a nest in the vent.

Wolfpack Fan · 05-28-2013, 08:53 PM

I think the venting tubes go straight to the tanks. The smell would be a tell tale sign. I'd shove a garden hoses with one of those high pressure nozzles down the vent tube on the roof. Maybe some critter tried to make a home in there and it's not venting ai like it should.

csrrsr · 05-28-2013, 10:12 PM

Sounds like you do have a venting issue. As water drains it needs to suck air from the vent tube for the water to drain into the tank. If the vent tube is blocked it will suck air from you sinks, shower drain or where ever it can suck air in order for the water to drain into your holding tank. Go up on the roof and use a hose like the previous post said. Also look at vents under your sinks. Sometimes they will go bad.

Gocoffeer · 05-29-2013, 07:36 AM

Craig here is an observation that I have made concerning the water and tanks on my older Bounder. My gal and I carry about 70 gallons of fresh water..... this will last us 5 full showers and some number of toilet flushes. Which means.... I need to purge my grey water after a weekend of our usage. On the black water side.... like you have discovered... the toilet paper will not easily slide over into the bigger part of the tank. Leave 10 gallons of water on the tank and as you drive....the splashing will wash the paper over. Do you know how to do a toilet paper test to make sure your paper is dissolving?
The gurgling in the faucets and sloshing in the tub...usually means full grey water.

A clogged vent pipe is certainly possible.... They can be snaked easily from the top of the rig. The RV tank system is fairly easy to understand it is not more then gravity drain types.
I have some tips to share.... One RV person offered a great tip for cleaning a black water tank.... 40 pounds of ice mixed with a cup or two of powder laundry detergent dumped thru the toilet. Then drive around a bit and let the ice scrub the bottom of the tank.

Daytripper63 · 05-30-2013, 07:29 PM

I had a similar problem a few years ago and had something blocking he vent pipe o the roof. The solution I used was a heavy duty tape measure and fed it down from he roof and as I broke through the restriction and made it all the way down to the tank I would check the measurement and make sure it went all the way

Randy blase · 05-30-2013, 08:01 PM

Craig when u take the cap off the bent in the roof u will need to get some of that self leveling caulk to seal it back up again

Randy blase · 05-30-2013, 08:04 PM

I wasn't finished yet I hate big fingers and these phones lol there will be three screws under the caulk on the vent cover use a putty knife to remove the caulk I hope this helps

ninos · 05-30-2013, 10:51 PM

It's funny because my friend as a 2007 discovery 40x and he is experience the exact same thing. Maybe open the drain valves and go on roof take the caps off and use a leaf blower and blow the vents to clean them out. What do you guys think?

ninos · 05-31-2013, 09:38 PM

Anybody out there with a 40x with the same problem?

jrgreen · 06-01-2013, 08:40 PM

Craig, The shower and sink are grey tanks and the toilet is black - as you know, therefore the only thing in common should be the vent. Good luck. Let us know the results.