Before you tell me to look in the archives ...

[Eric C Lindstrom]

... I already looked in the archives. This is the classic "odor-during-flush" scenario. Ended up I drew a very nice cartoon of the entire system on board our 1978 Hunter 30. The head and holding tank (and all the fittings) were brand new last year so we were amazed at the fact that we were getting an odor right after a flush.I followed your advice on the vent hose (and cowl vent) and made sure this was clear. Checked for growth in the intake hose ... clean as a whistle. Still a slight odor.In reviewing my cartoon diagram, I realized I never checked the vented loop. Took the nipple off the top and it was clogged ... cleaned and cleared it until the srping was springy ... and, voila! I think I fixed it.My question: Did I? Could this have contributed to the odor problem? I'm just pleased things SEEM fine but am curious if this could have been the problem with the odor?Finally: Should I spend the $79 purchasing and installing the carbon filter for the vent hose? People have told me this is the greatest. What do you think.As always, I bow down to the Head Mistress.EricPamela 3

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Forget the filter...

It actually helps to create the problem it's sold to solve. For an explanation, go the HM forum reference library (not the archives, the library) and read "Holding Tank Odor--Odor Out the Vent." At $50/each they can be a very expensive solution too, cuz a filter is toast immediately if it gets wet, which is hard to prevent on a sailboat on which the vent is installed in a location that allows the tank to spill out of it when heeled.As for your clogged vented loop...when it comes to odor, there's no "seem" to get rid of it...you either have it or you don't. If it went away after you cleaned out the vented loop air valve, you solved the problem.

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Related question for Peggie

A fellow skipper suggested that I stop drawing in Chesapeake Bay water and use fresh water instead from a gallon jug. The theory being that cleaner flush water will lead to less odor.Eh?

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

That's one way...but there's an easier solution

That'll allow you flush your toilet instead of pouring water down it AND eliminate odor from stagnant sea water trapped in the intake. Read the article "Intake Odor Cure" in the HM forum reference library.