Air Admittance Valve / Odor / Closet / help

[clicker187]

There is a very strong odor in out closet. We have a relatively new 2013 25 Flying Cloud Front Bedroom. So far, the vents have been checked and the Air Admittance Valve for the shower area has been replaced.

With holding tanks partially full and use of deodorizer...and all p-traps filled. If we turn on the Fantastic-Fan without any widows open the closet smells within 30 seconds. If we travel for a short trip (25 to 50 miles) the holding tank odor is strong in the closet and some throughout the coach. I can't tell if it's grey or black water????

If anyone has had abnormal holding tank odors...let me know. During our 60+ day trip we had a issue with odor coming from the closet on our 25 FC/FB. The problem is may be related to the Air Admittance Valve under the closet.

I'm trying to get this fixed under warranty at Airstream. This is the third fix-it visit...If you have had problems and/or solutions...let me know. I know several people that have had the same problem.

Thanks John Taggart.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by clicker187

There is a very strong odor in out closet. We have a relatively new 2013 25 Flying Cloud Front Bedroom. So far, the vents have been checked and the Air Admittance Valve for the shower area has been replaced.

With holding tanks partially full and use of deodorizer...and all p-traps filled. If we turn on the Fantastic-Fan without any widows open the closet smells within 30 seconds. If we travel for a short trip (25 to 50 miles) the holding tank odor is strong in the closet and some throughout the coach. I can't tell if it's grey or black water????

If anyone has had abnormal holding tank odors...let me know. During our 60+ day trip we had a issue with odor coming from the closet on our 25 FC/FB. The problem is may be related to the Air Admittance Valve under the closet.

I'm trying to get this fixed under warranty at Airstream. This is the third fix-it visit...If you have had problems and/or solutions...let me know. I know several people that have had the same problem.

Thanks John Taggart.

John.

Could be that the sewer vent pipe cover gaskets are bad, or not sealed properly.

Andy

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by clicker187

If we turn on the Fantastic-Fan without any widows open the closet smells within 30 seconds.

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Could be that the sewer vent pipe cover gaskets are bad, or not sealed properly.

Good call. If you turn on the fan with NO windows or doors open, replacement air has to come in somewhere since you're blowing air out. If a gasket is bad, that's a good place for air to come in, bringing a smell with it.

For the time being, my best recommendation until you can get the gaskets looked at is, when you turn on the fan, open at least one window, preferably a window as far from the fan as you can get, to set up a nice stream of air through your Airstream.

[clicker187]

Since we don't use the shower...what do you think about putting a inline valve under the Air Admittance Valve and before the elbow to the shower drain?? Would that cause any issues since there are other drains hooked up to the grey water tank?

John T.

[clicker187]

Has anyone solved this problem...So far, over a year...the problem is reoccurring. I have noticed the smell persists on a trip in warm weather and the smell is very strong when we stop then dissipates when parked. The odor is present when the vents are open or closed. If we travel in cooler climates...there doesn't seem to be an odor.

[dkottum]

A couple of more remote ideas to look at.

Being you don't use the shower and the shower is next to the closet, could the P-trap under the shower drain be dried out allowing odors to come up from the gray tank. Do you periodically add water to the shower drain to fill the P-trap?

Is there a dead mouse under the closet?

[LaBigDogs]

On my 2015 27fb I have the same strong sewer smell in the closet. (no smell under the closet) This happens when we travel down the hwy with sewer in the tanks. It is especially bad when the fantastic fans covers are open for cabin ventilation in hot weather. The dealer has looked at it twice and still have the problem.... may have to make the 1000 mile trek to Jackson Center. I don't think its from the grey tank... thinking it from the black tank. Next test is to drain just the grey tank and tow to check for smell. Any ideas?

[Jammer]

There are a number of areas to check.

1) The holding tank dump valve connections use a rubber hose and stainless steel clamp, which will tend to loosen with time due to cold flow of the rubber hose leading to leaks. The stink can then move through any floor openings. Solution is twofold, one, cut an access in the belly pan and tighten the clamps, two, close up any floor penetrations with urethane foam.

2) The vent connections to the holding tank are another problem area. Typically these are not cemented but instead are fastened with a stainless steel clamp. Find them, cut access holes as needed, and tighten

3) You can check for leaks in greywater plumbing by filling the system completely with water from the roof, plugging the drains using test balls (http://www.oatey.com/products/pneuma...lls/test-balls) and visually inspecting for leaks. Be careful, leaks may be anywhere and you have to look sharp to avoid water damage if you have a bad one. Uncemented fittings or badly cemented fittings are rare but they do happen. If you go this route be prepared to remove some panels so you can see everything. If you have a cracked holding tank this will turn it up also.

4) the blackwater system is small enough that it is easier to inspect and less likely to be a problem. Do check the vent connection on the tank, and consider filling the blackwater tank/toilet all the way to the toilet rim to check for leaks.

[CRH]

My trailer smelled awful when I ran the bathroom exhaust fan. I discovered my dump valves were leaking into the belly pan.

[LaBigDogs]

Jammer & CRH,
When I purchased the unit I had issues with it on the 1st trip as soon as I removed the sewer cap, black water would pour out, about the amount of the 4" pipe to the valve. The dealer said the valve was not able to go in all the way because of the the metal shroud blocking the rod. They cut into the shroud to make room on the left side for the rod to go in. I noticed that when we purchased the 2015 27fb replacing our 25fb that the on the 27fb the sewer pipe coming out of the unit was not perpendicular to the outside the coach. I am thinking it may be the dump valve is leaking into the belly pan. Thanks so much for the info. This will be a good place to start.