E33 head smell

[GreggL]

Have a new 33 and somehow am already getting a smelly head. I always flush properly and excessively pump out. The smell is never outside by the vents but more so in the flush water after not using it for a few days. I'm under the impression that it may be stagnant fresh water in the flushing intake hoses. Any thoughts if this could be the case and how to avoid in the future? Also, it seems that the smell only occurs at its worst for the first few uses after not using it for an extended time, it does however make faint appearances randomly. The smell is eggy and sometimes the water is opaque.
Thanks!

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

Boat is new so I suppose we can rule out smell coming from permeated hoses or tank. If you have more than just a little bit of residual water at the bottom of the head, that would be an indication the joker valve is letting black water back in the head. Simple to change but make sure you pump out first and flush the tank a few times so as to not getting anything bad stuff back. Second thought is more of a question: are you using any product to help ? I have been using K.O. for years and am very happy not to have any odor. Good luck

 

[GreggL]

Boat is new so I suppose we can rule out smell coming from permeated hoses or tank. If you have more than just a little bit of residual water at the bottom of the head, that would be an indication the joker valve is letting black water back in the head. Simple to change but make sure you pump out first and flush the tank a few times so as to not getting anything bad stuff back. Second thought is more of a question: are you using any product to help ? I have been using K.O. for years and am very happy not to have any odor. Good luck

It's a manual head so when I flush on the dry selector switch, the head will drain but there will always be a small amount of water in the bottom. Is this not supposed to happen? It's been this way since day one so I assumed it was normal.

When I flush the first few times after an extended leave the water that comes into the head is grey and opaque and has the egg smell. It dissipates after I use it a few times but I'd like to avoid this if at all possible.

I haven't used any product because I haven't figured out the problem yet. Was thinking of adding stuff to the tank but it seems the issue is a fresh water one. Is there a way to drain an intake valve completely before I leave the boat for an extended period? I feel this may solve the problem.

 

[Stu Jackson]

1. the head will drain but there will always be a small amount of water in the bottom.

2. When I flush the first few times after an extended leave the water that comes into the head is grey and opaque and has the egg smell. It dissipates after I use it a few times but I'd like to avoid this if at all possible.

3. I haven't used any product because I haven't figured out the problem yet. Was thinking of adding stuff to the tank but it seems the issue is a fresh water one.

4. Is there a way to drain an intake valve completely before I leave the boat for an extended period? I feel this may solve the problem.

Gregg,

1. That's normal for heads.

2. I've cobbled together a few of Peggie Hall's Greatest Hits which cover your issue, which is, BTW, not new, not new boat specific, and basic to boat plumbing

Head Odors 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5755.0.html

Head Odors 101.1 - "T" into sink drain: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5755.msg38216.html#msg38216

Head Odors 101.2 The Difference between KO & Odorlos (scroll up to Reply #2) http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=890493&highlight=odorlos

Head Hoses 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5738.0.html

3. See the links, specially the KO & Odorlos

4. No, why bother?

Good luck, hope all the rest of your issues have been or are being resolved.

PS - If you post non-boat-specific questions in Ask All Sailors you may obtain more replies for systems oriented issues.

 

[GreggL]

Gregg,

1. That's normal for heads.

2. I've cobbled together a few of Peggie Hall's Greatest Hits which cover your issue, which is, BTW, not new, not new boat specific, and basic to boat plumbing

Head Odors 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5755.0.html

Head Odors 101.1 - "T" into sink drain: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5755.msg38216.html#msg38216

Head Odors 101.2 The Difference between KO & Odorlos (scroll up to Reply #2) http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=890493&highlight=odorlos

Head Hoses 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5738.0.html

3. See the links, specially the KO & Odorlos

4. No, why bother?

Good luck, hope all the rest of your issues have been or are being resolved.

Thanks for the feedback! I'll look into those posts.
In regards to answer number 4 about draining a hose; it seemed logical that if I drain the intake hoses completely before an extended leave that upon return there would be no stagnant water causing a smell.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Yes, logical, but read the links first, there's an easier way.

 

[Herman18887]

I don't use the seawater intake to flush. I keep the flush selector on dry and pour in fresh water from a gallon jug, or use the shower spray to flush. I also recommend Peggy's book. I use KO in the holding tank and CP in the toilet bowl.