Ronb 2 Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 We are camping this weekend and have noticed a foul smell in the camper. It appears to be coming from around the stovetop area ( not a propane smell). I removed the top kitchen drawer and found a plumbing vent pipe under the stove which is where the smell appears to be coming from. Haven’t had this issue before. Camper is only a month old so the grey tank should not need to be sanitized yet. Any suggestions. I’ve been trying Oliver service all day but cannot get anyone to the phone. Thanks, Ron Link to post Share on other sites
Moderators Mike and Carol 1,174 Posted April 17, 2020 Moderators Share Posted April 17, 2020 (edited) You shouldn’t have any smell. I would check to make sure that vent pipe is securely connected to the rest of the plumbing under the sink. Our vent pipe was loose where it attached to the top of the black tank, which resulted in some smells our first couple of months. It was easily repaired. Try sending an email to Jason. I emailed him with a question this week and had a reply in about an hour. Mike Edited April 17, 2020 by Mike and Carol Fair Oaks Ranch, TX | 2016 Elite II #135 | 2020 Ram 2500 Laramie 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel Link to post Share on other sites
DavePhelps 23 Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 That vent pipe you see behind the drawer has an air admittance valve on the top. It allows air to go in to vent the system, but doesn't let air out, for obvious reasons! Kind of like a back flow preventer in a water line. These valves have been known to fail now and again so that could be a reason. If Oliver installed it right, it should screw off for easy replacement, haven't checked mine lately. For what it's worth, I also always add Happy Camper black tank treatment to the gray tank as well, especially in the summer, it works great for both tanks. Follow the pipe down to the tank, check all the connections, the problem could also be as Mike described above. Good luck! Dave 1 2015 Oliver Elite, Hull 107 1998 Ford E-250, 5.4 liter Link to post Share on other sites
Patriot 546 Posted April 22, 2020 Share Posted April 22, 2020 (edited) On 4/17/2020 at 5:05 PM, Ronb said: We are camping this weekend and have noticed a foul smell in the camper. It appears to be coming from around the stovetop area ( not a propane smell). I removed the top kitchen drawer and found a plumbing vent pipe under the stove which is where the smell appears to be coming from. Haven’t had this issue before. Camper is only a month old so the grey tank should not need to be sanitized yet. Any suggestions. I’ve been trying Oliver service all day but cannot get anyone to the phone. Thanks, Ron Ron, Hoping you got your issue resolved. Any thoughts and feedback appreciated on what the issue was. -Patriot Edited April 22, 2020 by Patriot 2020 Ford F-250 6.7 liter Powerstroke Lariat Ultimate “Tremor” High Cap tow pkg - 2020 OLEII - Hull #634 Link to post Share on other sites
Moderators bugeyedriver 64 Posted April 22, 2020 Moderators Share Posted April 22, 2020 Are you sure the smell isn't coming from the galley sink? If the p-trap goes dry, grey tank smells can enter the trailer. If this is the issue, adding water into the trap will keep the smell where it belongs . . . down there. 2 Pete & "Bosker". TV - '18 F150 Super-cab Fx4; RV - "The Wonder Egg"; '08 Elite, Hull Number 014. Travel blog of 1st 10 years' wanderings - http://www.peteandthewonderegg.blogspot.com Link to post Share on other sites
Ken_Judy 33 Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 (edited) After dumping the grey tank and hitting the road, the next time we stopped there was a strong odor in the camper. Normally there is not much of a rush of water wen draining the grey tank but under the right circumstances like fullness of the tank and tilt of the camper you can get a pretty good flow going. What I thought was the big flow might have caused the water in the pea trap in the shower floor drain to be sucked out allowing the odor to come up and into the camper. Another time my wife accidentalIy sucked the water out of the shower p-trap while vacuuming the floor. That could cause odors to infiltrate the cabin as well. I filled it with water and had no further issues. Edited May 7, 2020 by Ken_Judy Additional thoughts 1 Link to post Share on other sites
The Shackelfords 40 Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 I'll have to remember this next time the misses asks me what that awful smell is when we lay down for the night. 🤥 Link to post Share on other sites
John E Davies 1,238 Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 (edited) So are any of you folks with cabin smells using a grey tank treatment? That won’t make burping go away, but at least the burps smell vaguely scented and vaguely lemony fresh.... sort of. John Davies Spokane WA Edited May 1, 2020 by John E Davies "Mouse": 2017 Legacy Elite II NARV (Not An RV) Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/john-e-davies-how-to-threads-and-tech-articles-links/ Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 33" LT tires, airbags. Link to post Share on other sites
Moderators Mike and Carol 1,174 Posted May 1, 2020 Moderators Share Posted May 1, 2020 2 hours ago, John E Davies said: So are any of you folks with cabin smells using a grey tank treatment? That won’t make burping go away, but at least the burps smell vaguely scented and vaguely lemony fresh.... sort of. John Davies Spokane WA Good question. When we’re camping we don’t use anything in the gray tank. The black tank gets a detergent pod and a little Calgon water softener. When not camping we add Happy Camper to both tanks. Happy Camper has no odor and just looks like a white powder but we have not had any odors. I do keep plugs in the sinks when not camping to slow evaporation from the traps. We’re also careful with what we let go down the drain into the gray tank. Mike 1 Fair Oaks Ranch, TX | 2016 Elite II #135 | 2020 Ram 2500 Laramie 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel Link to post Share on other sites
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