The holding tank on my 310 emits horrible odors when flushing from the vent. Has anyone who has had the same problem found an easy way to eliminate it. Chemical additives to the toilet don't seem to help. I have read that it is a vent issue. Has anyone added and extra vent to keep odors from building?
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Increased oxygen is the key...
And it may be necessary to add another vent line. But first, try this: Pump out and THOROUGHLY flush out the tank. If your vent line has a lot of bends in it, shorten it up and straighten it out. If there's a filter in the vent line, remove it. That should allow a product called Odorlos to work--IF you use it according to directions. Most boat stores carry it..check it out here: http://www.odorlos.com If it doesn't, we'll discuss any additional "surgery" to the vent needed. Meanwhile, you might also check out the link below.
And it may be necessary to add another vent line. But first, try this: Pump out and THOROUGHLY flush out the tank. If your vent line has a lot of bends in it, shorten it up and straighten it out. If there's a filter in the vent line, remove it. That should allow a product called Odorlos to work--IF you use it according to directions. Most boat stores carry it..check it out here: http://www.odorlos.com If it doesn't, we'll discuss any additional "surgery" to the vent needed. Meanwhile, you might also check out the link below.
Odor first thing in the morning
Peggie, Possibly a related question, when I open my boat up after being away from it for a few days I get a bad odor coming from the head. Not the tank or connections to the tank but from the bowl itself. When dong the first flush I'll get another strong hit of odor. After than, all subsequent flushes are fine and the odor is gone. I've tried a few products that you pour into the tank and they're suppose to break down "matter" so it can be pumped out. Plus I also have, what I call, one of those "tiddy bowl" mini-screw on canisters that makes the intake water blue and is suppose to cut down on the odors as well. Am I also suffering from a vent problem? Bob
Peggie, Possibly a related question, when I open my boat up after being away from it for a few days I get a bad odor coming from the head. Not the tank or connections to the tank but from the bowl itself. When dong the first flush I'll get another strong hit of odor. After than, all subsequent flushes are fine and the odor is gone. I've tried a few products that you pour into the tank and they're suppose to break down "matter" so it can be pumped out. Plus I also have, what I call, one of those "tiddy bowl" mini-screw on canisters that makes the intake water blue and is suppose to cut down on the odors as well. Am I also suffering from a vent problem? Bob
bay critters bob
Bob you have dead little bay life in the intake between thru hull and bowl they are in the residual water in there and die while you are away it is a powerful stink on that first flush back . we use fresh water to flush and keep that thru hull closed result... no odor Peggy has addressed this in this forum and in her excellent book tony
Bob you have dead little bay life in the intake between thru hull and bowl they are in the residual water in there and die while you are away it is a powerful stink on that first flush back . we use fresh water to flush and keep that thru hull closed result... no odor Peggy has addressed this in this forum and in her excellent book tony
Tony hit it on the head...
Why would you think that odor from flush water coming INTO the head would have anything to do with your holding tank? I've never liked the intake inline devices...they rarely work, when they do it's marginal, and the chemicals in 'em can interact negatively with tank products. Keeping the seacock closed and adding fresh water to the bowl isn't the best solution to intake odor, 'cuz anything poured into the bowl only goes through the bottom of the pump...leaving the rubber parts in the rest of the pump to dry out and fail a LOT faster than they would if they were kept wet. However, there's a very simple and inexpensive cure for sea water intake odor: tee your head intake line into your head sink drain line. Before leaving the boat, and after you've closed all the seacocks (you DO close all the seacocks?), fill the sink with clean fresh water...flush the toilet. Because the intake thru-hull is closed, the toilet will pull the water from the sink, rinsing all the sea water out of the whole system. Or, you COULD keep the seacock closed all the time and run water downw the sink to flush. Just be sure to keep a plug in the sink except when you want to drain it (except when you want to flush using water down the sink)...'cuz otherwise the toilet will pull air through the sink, preventing it from priming.
Why would you think that odor from flush water coming INTO the head would have anything to do with your holding tank? I've never liked the intake inline devices...they rarely work, when they do it's marginal, and the chemicals in 'em can interact negatively with tank products. Keeping the seacock closed and adding fresh water to the bowl isn't the best solution to intake odor, 'cuz anything poured into the bowl only goes through the bottom of the pump...leaving the rubber parts in the rest of the pump to dry out and fail a LOT faster than they would if they were kept wet. However, there's a very simple and inexpensive cure for sea water intake odor: tee your head intake line into your head sink drain line. Before leaving the boat, and after you've closed all the seacocks (you DO close all the seacocks?), fill the sink with clean fresh water...flush the toilet. Because the intake thru-hull is closed, the toilet will pull the water from the sink, rinsing all the sea water out of the whole system. Or, you COULD keep the seacock closed all the time and run water downw the sink to flush. Just be sure to keep a plug in the sink except when you want to drain it (except when you want to flush using water down the sink)...'cuz otherwise the toilet will pull air through the sink, preventing it from priming.
I took Peggie's advice and she's right...
Peggie just held my hand thru the complete head re-plumb. While I was at it, I teed off the sink drain as she recommeded and installed a cheap Y hose fitting which has little ball valves under the head. Now for the last flush before leaving the boat, I run the head faucet and flush a few times, and no stink when I return. Works great...Thanks again Peggie....Gary
Peggie just held my hand thru the complete head re-plumb. While I was at it, I teed off the sink drain as she recommeded and installed a cheap Y hose fitting which has little ball valves under the head. Now for the last flush before leaving the boat, I run the head faucet and flush a few times, and no stink when I return. Works great...Thanks again Peggie....Gary
Still searching
This summer we developed quite an odor which persists to some extent even today. At first we were getting a 'bubbling back' when flushing the head so I replaced the Joker valve. then took Peggy's advice and shortened the vent line to assure it was clear and also straight. Also have gone to the fresh water flush to avoid using the Bay water and 'emptying out' after each weekend and several different tank additives. At this point I've near given up. I can't see a leak anywher, so that leaves me suspecting a leak somewhere on top of the waste tank.Not real easy to get too. If anyone has other ideas appreciate hearing them.
This summer we developed quite an odor which persists to some extent even today. At first we were getting a 'bubbling back' when flushing the head so I replaced the Joker valve. then took Peggy's advice and shortened the vent line to assure it was clear and also straight. Also have gone to the fresh water flush to avoid using the Bay water and 'emptying out' after each weekend and several different tank additives. At this point I've near given up. I can't see a leak anywher, so that leaves me suspecting a leak somewhere on top of the waste tank.Not real easy to get too. If anyone has other ideas appreciate hearing them.
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