Holding tank odour and access to holding tank

[Dave & Cathy]

Cathy and I own a Hunter 336. We love the boat but hav enoticed an odd smell in the aft berth. The smell is evident when the toilet is flushed. The odour is very strong in the aft berth only. There is no liquid anywhere that we can see. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this and also does the panel between the aft berth and the holding tank remove easily.

Dave & Cathy

 

[Steve Dion]

Get Peggie's book and follow instructions. It is normally the hoses. The factory stuff only lasts for a few years and then it is time to BITE THE BULLET. It may mean that you need to change the hoses.

 

[Charlie13958]

Yes the panel is easy to remove. The original tanks were aluminum and have reached their useful lifetime by now. You can also see the tank by removing the bottom panel of the aft starboard lazerette. The intake hose tube on the tank is subject to corrosion, and the connection may be leaking.

 

[petersea]

Steve may be correct about the hoses as the 336 model is now appx 14 years old and if you have the original hoses it is time to replace them. Also check your vent to make sure it is clear and are you treating the tank to control odor ?? I ask this cuz you said it is when you flush the toilet. As far as removing the panel it is not a bad job to do but nothing on a boat is "easy", it will be time consuming and you will be working in awkward positions but is installed with screws and just a matter of removing them. Way to test hose is wrap a hot wet rag around it and let sit for 10 or 15 min then see if odor transmitted to rag if it did time to replace hoses. Also if you are using salt water to flush it could be adding to you odor so maybe want to use fresh water to flush (simply add to toilet with a cup of fresh water at sink) My 336 has a plastic tank and general speaking (Unless leaking) they do not go bad so replacing the tank is not needed in most cases. Peggy's book is a valuable resource,lots of good tips how how it keep your sanitation system working hassle free, suggest you order one today !

 

[Alan]

Been there done that. I replaced the aluminum holding tank and all hoses on my boat. The new tank in poly and all hoses were replaced with PVC pipe. To test your hose for permeation just apply a warm wet rag to it. Lift off the rag a sniff it. If the smell comes through the hoses are done. A poly tank will never smell as long as it is sealed (no cracks). Likewise PVC pipe will never smell.
Some folks are not in favor of PVC pipe. I could find no one who had ever used it so I made myself the guinea pig. It was so much cheaper and easier than the hose to install. Going on the third year now with no worries.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Gotta be permeated hoses

The only cure is new hoses. If the tank is still the original aluminum tank, now is the time to replace it too...BEFORE it starts to leak, which it will.

Use Trident 101 or 102 Trident Marine: Sanitation Hose for toilet discharge and tank pump out hoses...Trident #148 for head intake and tank vent line. This would also be a great time to increase the diameter of the vent line to 1"...'cuz you can specify a larger fitting on the tank, so you'll only have to replace the thru-hull with a larger one, which is relatively easy.

Ronco Plastics Ronco Plastics is your best source for a new tank...they make TOP quality plastic tanks for a very reasonable price (that's even more reasonable if you order through the online store at this site) have more than 400 shapes and sizes, over 100 of which are non-rectangular...and they install fittings in the sizes and locations specified by the customer when they make the tank.

You can get everything you need (including my book) from the online store here...for prices that are hard to beat. And by buying here, you support the site. sbo.com plumbing