Septic Smell

[Idaho air]

Having a significant septic odor even though we are using the septic chemical additive (non-fomalyn based). Empty waste tank at least every week. It occurs only in the following situations: (1) when we are on the road. Right after trailing it is pretty nasty inside. Can run vents and/or open windows and odor goes away quickly. (2) when we have Fantastic Vent fans running and/or shower vent fan running but don't have enough windows open to provide enough outside air. Does this sound like a toilet seal problem? A vent problem? or something else?

[Phoenix]

Summer heat increases odors. Suggest trying formaldehyde-based toilet chemicals (e.g., Thetford Campa-Chem) to see if odor problems go away, or are reduced. If you want to use "greener" products, switch back to whatever you like at end of the season.

[Jim Flower]

I was having the identical problem and resolved the issue by replacing the factory issue vent cap with one called Camco Cyclone Plumbing Vent. The vent also resolved the issue on my old Safari. The vent was easily installed by removing the existing cap and replacing with the Camco unit on the existing black vent pipe. It is held in place with 3 screws. Cost is less than $20.

[dznf0g]

I have found both posts #2 and #3 to have merit. Some environmental situations require the old "blue stuff". You may...I say may...get rid of the odors with a vent change. On my old SOB I installed a 1" computer fan inside and at the top of the vent stack. It powered up whenever the bath light was switched on.

[mojo]

RV Digest-It by Unique products is great for dissolving any built up leftovers.

[Crusty]

See if some sort of critter of the insect persuasion has built a nest and blocked the inside of the black tank vent pipe.

[Aage]

Yep, could well be a blocked vent (thanks, Crusty)

[InsideOut]

Two questions...

1) Does your bowl hold water? It should. If not, when the Fantastic Fan is running it draws the gases in from the tank.
2) Does it hold water but leak out when traveling? If so, the gases in the tank escape when the water seal is broken while on the road.

Shari

[Crusty]

Originally Posted by Aage

Yep, could well be a blocked vent (thanks, Crusty)

... Don't ask how I know this.

[goransons]

Crusty, Aage, yes probably a stuck vent, but could also be either rear bath fixture that likely shares the same vent has either no p-trap or the trap is dry. Run a snake or hose down the outside vents. We just fixed that problem on a friend's trailer at a rally this weekend. Old wasp nest in the vent was forcing gasses up the drains which were dry.

[Wayne&Sam]

I've been to Idaho several times and I've never noticed that the Idaho air had a septic smell.

Just saying'.