Black tank odor

[Derby6]

Toilet arrived today---However we are delivering a load tomorrow (Saturday), so I can't get home to get it. Luckily my tape fix holding well. I Head home 2 or 3 Juy for 4th of July weekend and brining trailer home and will install then. Likely won't use trailer again until first week of Aug to really know I got all done correctly.

 

[khill1]

So my black tank is stinking inside and it’s getting really bad.

I think it’s a thetford toilet. Original to unit 2007. I’ve owned since new and this had never been an issue.

Pored some water in both roof vents and could hear it land in tank. So they not clogged right?
Toilet is holding water so it’s not coming thru there.
I can smell it really strong when my nose is near the top rear of toilet (right side as you face it). Water valve is on top left.
Obviously the worst smell when I flush-which I could deal with but it’s constant odor at this point.
No water leaks at all. And toilet is secured.
Is there a valve of some sort that could be letting this order through? Or do I just need a new toilet.

I’m using it for work this month. Mainly sleep —not in it much but I have used the toilet. Time permitting My plan today is to go and dump it and flush it with a whole bunch of water and fill it about 1/2 with water . (I’m dry camped)

This is first use this year.
Figured I’d see if anybody had any ideas.

What about one of those solar tank vent fans? I thought about those in hot weather when have and odor issue. Daytime they would keep a slight vacuum on tank and draw air in through vent on toilet and odor out tank vent. The Venturi type vent same results as long as a slight breeze

 

[Derby6]

What about one of those solar tank vent fans? I thought about those in hot weather when have and odor issue. Daytime they would keep a slight vacuum on tank and draw air in through vent on toilet and odor out tank vent. The Venturi type vent same results as long as a slight breeze

That may work, but at the end of the day toilet Flush valve seal was allowing odor into the trailer. That should not be. Painters tape and paper towels held up as temp fix. I am home now and will install new toilet sometime this weekend.

 

[Derby6]

Maybe before you toss the old toilet take a look and see if it would be possible to fabricate a foam gasket then pack some more grease in there? Just for future reference I mean.

I'm not going to say it couldn't be done---But it would be very difficult and a real PIA. May not be possible?

I got new toilet in today. Water line reaches but it is tight. May have small leak, so I may need to extend it a little bit.

 

[bigbAZ]

I'm not going to say it couldn't be done---But it would be very difficult and a real PIA. May not be possible?

I got new toilet in today. Water line reaches but it is tight. May have small leak, so I may need to extend it a little bit.

I put a tee in my water line and added a bidet.

 

[Derby6]

FINAL CLOSEOUT:
First, Thanks to ALL that replied with thoughts/ideas. Some made me laugh as I am no newbie, but nonetheless it could have been something I overlooked or helpful to someone else. So Thanks!

As previously stated bigb56 correctly identified the issue. Even though I was able to make the original water line work with no leaks it was TIGHT. I feared it could pull on/break valve in travel and as also worried about in winter when it's cold and things contract, and plastic gets brittle. So, I went to local RV shop and bought a 12-18" line with female fittings. Then had to go to LOWES to get a male connector (Had to get a brass one, no plastic ones there). About another $35 dollars on top of toilet and all fits nice with no leaks. Just returned from 4 day camp with no hook-ups and no smell so we are good to go!!
On to the next issue, which has yet to be identified, but in this game an issue is sure to arise--especially with the age of this unit!

 

[iliketexmex]

I ordered mine from Amazon about 4 years ago. Unfortunately due to wall clearance the Aqua Magic V is the only toilet made that will fit our small bath so we had to stick with the same model. If you have more clearance you have the option of choosing a better toilet. I was hoping you'd try and fix it though just so I';d know if it were possible! We ordered a new one because ours had several issues plus we did not want to deal with cleaning up someone else's old toilet.

The new Dometic toilet has a small rough in dimension, less than 8"

 

[Derby6]

UPDATE: Over a year later with the new toilet and it happened again
Used it twice last year with no issues and on about day 3 of this trip it started stinking, and just like last time it just got worse and worse.

My son is here and is a certified plumber and said it was the toilet flange gasket. I can't be 100% but I don't think my new toilet came with a new gasket? I just used the one that was there.
Bought a new one today and reinstalled toilet. Hopefully its fixed but likely we won't use this RV again until next summer.

Soo my old toilet was probably just fine, but it is 1 year deep in the local dump--$100 I will never get back.

 

[Seilerbird]

The toilet is not the problem, it is a poop pyramid.

 

[Rene T]

The gasket you used was it wax or foam. I was always told to use a foam gasket because a wax gasket could break its seal because of all the bouncing around

 

[Derby6]

The toilet is not the problem, it is a poop pyramid.

No it’s not. Can see clean bottom of tank.

 

[Derby6]

The gasket you used was it wax or foam. I was always told to use a foam gasket because a wax gasket could break its seal because of all the bouncing around

Pretty sure it was foam. As was the old one. Not ”broke” but torn and/or worn.

 

[Kirk]

Not ”broke” but torn and/or worn.

A damaged seal could cause the problem.

 

[Rene T]

Pretty sure it was foam. As was the old one. Not ”broke” but torn and/or worn.

I don’t know how a seal like that could be broken and/or worn.

 

[Derby6]

I don’t know how a seal like that could be broken and/or worn.

What do you mean? Dries/wears out (AKA worn out). Or develops a small tear. But not broken in 1-2 or into several pieces.

 

[Rene T]

What do you mean? Dries/wears out (AKA worn out). Or develops a small tear. But not broken in 1-2 or into several pieces.

Sorry, I still can’t see it. The toilet doesn’t move at all if it is properly tightened down to the floor and the black tank is properly mounted so it can’t go up or down

 

[Derby6]

Well I’ve owned the trailer since new in 2007 and smell started last year. Obviously a gasket got old and failed.
No interest in starting an argument. Many things that never move wear out for many reasons.

 

[Rene T]

Well I’ve owned the trailer since new in 2007 and smell started last year. Obviously a gasket got old and failed.
No interest in starting an argument. Many things that never move wear out for many reasons.

If you say so. That’s fine with me. Have a great day tomorrow.

 

[RayIN]

What do you mean? Dries/wears out (AKA worn out). Or develops a small tear. But not broken in 1-2 or into several pieces.

The majority of toilet flange seals are made of beeswax, which does not dry out and become hard. It remains pliable for decades, also remains sealed with vibrations and movement. Same for the foam versions, designed for the purpose.

 

[Ex-Calif]

If you have a Thetford Aqua Magic the only thing that keeps odors from coming up around the flush arm is a flimsy foam gasket and some grease which could be gone by now.

View attachment 1321970

My guess was gonna be the rubber gasket on the flapper valve...

Good call.