Odor when toilet is pumped

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Stan Chapman

We have a Hunter 260 with a Jabsco manual pump head. When it is pumped (flushed) a strong smell is noticed in the cockpit and in the saloon, but not in the head. Do I have a venting problem? Holding tank is in the stern, enclosed behind the bed.
 
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress

Yep, you have a tank vent problem

What are you using in the tank?
 
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Stan Chapman

We are using a blue powder toilet chemical

We are using a blue powder (comes in packets) for holding tank treatment. What do you suggest? I haven't checked the tank vent yet. If that is stopped up where does the gas go?
 
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress

I doubt your tank vent is totally blocked

If it were, the gasses would have NOwhere to go...neither would the air displaced by new waste each time you flush, so you'd feel increasing back pressure each time you tried to flush. So you need to check it regularly to make sure it doesn't ever become blocked. The vent thru-hull is where 99% of vent blockages occur. The blue chemicals you're using aren't helping...in fact, may be contributing to the problem. I suggest you switch to Odorlos. You'll have to pump out and rinse out your tank VERY thoroughly first before switching. I also suggest you search the archives here for more information about what really causes holding tank odor and how to cure it. Use the keywords "holding tank odor."
 
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Bill O'Donovan

Great reading

Peggie has done a magnificent job with several chapters addressing this problem and others. I highly recommend them as required reading.
 
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Jesse Mulanax

Hey Stan: I have the same problem with my Jabsco on the Hunter 260. I use a blue liquid for RV holding tanks but will try to locate "Odorlos" suggested by Peggy Hall. I also have a problem filling bowl with enough water. It keeps draining to holding tank. I had to replace the valve parts due to my head being broke on delivery. Hunter sent a whole new pump assembly but I installed only the valve parts. Good to hear from you! Jesse Mulanax X*TA*SEA
 
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress

Jesse, of course water keeps draining...

Manual toilets--not only Jabsco, but ALL manual toilets--aren't designed to bring water in and hold it. The pump pulls flush water in on the upstroke, pushes it--along with the bowl contents--out on the downstroke...there's no way to pump it to bring in water to stay in the bowl. The only way to put water in the bowl ahead of use is to add it with a cup. If that won't stay, it's long past time to replace the joker valve.
 
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