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06-08-2022, 08:17 PM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Quitman
Posts: 11
M.O.C. #28576
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Galley sink/gray tank odor
There is an extremely malodorous stench coming from the galley vent on the outside of the RV. The sink has a traditional p-trap and does not have a ASTVD under the sink. I have found a waterless trap on the washer drain as well as the bathroom sink drain and assume there is one on the galley drain, but can not see that part of the plumbing without removing some of the under 'walls'.
Is there anyone here who may be able to shed some light on my situation? I assume there is a trap, but don't know where it is or how to access it. Does this valve seem a reasonable culprit?
__________________
Mike&Christi
2020 Montana HC 373RD
2020 Chev 3500HD, CC, DRW, Flatbed
TAMU '99
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06-09-2022, 06:30 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Anderson
Posts: 2,544
M.O.C. #22835
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Perhaps I'm a bit confused here? You smell the stench outside the camper, correct? And you smell it at the vent, correct? The vent is on the roof, correct? Do you smell the odor inside the camper?
__________________
Who you are right now is a sum total off all you use to be.
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 6.6L Dually
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06-09-2022, 12:25 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,677
M.O.C. #12947
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If you are smelling odors from the vent on any tank, there are no traps on any vent line, as the lines are directly connected to the tanks. You probably should be adding the same tank treatment you use for the black tank because with the debris from washing dishes, there is a lot of stuff in the tank that will grow bad smelling bacteria, maybe at times worse than the black tank. You might also try draining the tank, filling with water and then draining again to help clean out whatever is growing in the tank. Maybe some bleach might help too.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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06-09-2022, 05:50 PM
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#4
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Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Quitman
Posts: 11
M.O.C. #28576
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Dutchmen, sorry about the confusion. This vent is indeed on the outside and is on the outer wall directly outside the galley sink. Most of the odor is outside, but there is a definite stench inside, particularly under the sink immediately after we wash dishes or otherwise use the sink.
When I investigated my other drains, I found a waterless trap in the drain pipe going to the gray tanks. I assume there is a similar waterless trap in this drain pipe, but am unable to see the drain without removing some of the underbelly walls.
__________________
Mike&Christi
2020 Montana HC 373RD
2020 Chev 3500HD, CC, DRW, Flatbed
TAMU '99
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06-09-2022, 07:40 PM
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#5
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Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Quitman
Posts: 11
M.O.C. #28576
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Update.
It seems that the odor has lessened dramatically. Last night, I poured a mixture of vinegar and baking soda down the drain and this afternoon, I completely filled the gray tank and added some bleach to the drain water. I don't know which made the difference, but it seems that the odor is almost completely gone.
Thanks for everyone's suggestions.
__________________
Mike&Christi
2020 Montana HC 373RD
2020 Chev 3500HD, CC, DRW, Flatbed
TAMU '99
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06-09-2022, 12:35 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,657
M.O.C. #9969
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We keep drain screens in all of our drains, to keep hair (two long haired females), and food particles from making their way into the Gray Tanks. Cheap at almost any Flea m
Market, might not be highest quality, but cheap enough to replace regularly.
__________________
Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
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06-09-2022, 08:04 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,654
M.O.C. #24086
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Check under your sinks for an " air admittance" valve. Sometimes they fail. Easy to replace.
To be sure it's bad put a ziplock bag over it and tape it closed. If the smell goes away, it's likely bad.
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06-12-2022, 08:13 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Winthrop Harbor
Posts: 1,831
M.O.C. #8160
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We make a habit of pouring white vinegar in the kitchen sink.
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06-13-2022, 06:54 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Anderson
Posts: 2,544
M.O.C. #22835
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An outside vent will smell, if that the be on the roof or the side of the camper. The purpose for the vent is to prevent creating a vacuum in the holding tank. Air has to breathe in and out of the vent, along with that comes the odors. If the holding tank hasn't been flushed out in a while, food particles stick to the sides of the tank and after a short while can emit an odor that is worse than the black tank.
Sometimes these vents are located on the roof near the ceiling vent fans. When the wind blows the right direction, the odor coming from the tank vent will be pulled right back into the camper through the fan exhaust vents (mostly in the bathroom is seems to happen most frequently).
You did the right thing by flushing the tank out. When we travel, we always try to travel with a small amount of fluids in each holding tank, (like around 5 gallons), so when driving, the movement of the trailer sloshes that fluid around. It helps to pulverize the inside of the holding tanks and break free a lot of that build up on the inside of the tank and will flush out the next time you dump.
If you do that every time you move the camper, your tanks will stay much cleaner. But, occasionally they do need a good soap / bleach bath.
Glad you've got your problem solved.
__________________
Who you are right now is a sum total off all you use to be.
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 6.6L Dually
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