still have an odor

D

defboat

Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2002
RO Number
9541
Messages
150
Called Raritan last season and asked for advice and then replaced the 'joker valve' in the 1986 Raritan ph II head and I noticed at the end of last season are still getting an odor; mostly all the time, even with Odorlos. We pump out regularly and use Odorlos LOTS.

Any advice? thank you!
 
def, I see by your profile that your boat is a 1986, as is mine. Three years ago I had to replace the holding tank and hoses as smell was osmossing(?) through both.Just something to mull over. Good luck
Ron
 
you dont tell us anything how do you expect help? e.g.sea water? fresh water? when do you smell the odor? where?? etc etc
 
C'mon now, my crystal ball's still a little cloudy. Where's the odor? In the boat, or out the holding tank vent? Joker valve won't stop odor, it'll stop backflow of dirty water into the toilet if you have a partial clog somewhere down the line from the head. Odorlos is a holding tank treatment, it won't stop odor inside the boat, just out the holding tank vent. Let's get a little more detail, and we may be able to determine what the problem is - and possibly then come up with a cure.
 
When we bought our 1999 Carver a few months ago, it STUNK! (Inside the cabin)

After tracing all the possible links, we found that the breather pipe (under the floor inside the cabin) had popped off at the clamp. So we reconnected it and wacko NO SMELL! :)

That was until one week later... smell again....it had again popped.

Reconnected the breather pipe again... one week later same thing happens.

Finally we were advised that when using a pump out, the suction pressure was causing the breather pipe to pop off as the breather outlet was too small to allow enough pressure out, therefore the hose/clamp would give way everytime we used the pump out.

What we do now is when pumping out, only release the pump hose 1/2 way and stop and start it as required until empty. Since then the breather pipe has stayed put and NO SMELL !
 
Those hoses are over 20 years old! They are shot and need to be replaced. Change them all out and your odor should disappear.
 
Max: check your air filter in the vent line it is probably plugged
 
apologise Vic, should not have posted when I did - went away for a little bit.

yes, the odor is only in the head - not terribly awful - but noticeable. Only 3 people on the boat ever - and only liquid is there at any time; so its not 'that' kind of smell if you know what I mean, sorry, I'm terrible at explaining.

yes, it is worse when its used but the odor will eventually fade a little.

I believe the previous owner changed EVERYTHING like ? less than 10 years ago - but thank you...that is good to know and I shall ask the question.

I have a feeling it is not a plugged line or vent but will definitely check and report back. Appreciate all your advice. Let me see, what else? Thanks
 
To the Max... You and I have the same boat. Mine too smelled bad last season. I have been keeping it pumped out for fear I get the smell back. So where is the breather pipe? Also where is the filter? I have also been told this is the problem but can't find it.
 
Have you tried a holding tank additive specifically to kill odors & supply good bio bacteria in the tanks? Sometimes it's cleaned out too well & the good bacteria dies. It's like restarting a fish tank.
 
I want to keep water in the toilet. Can I just elevate the discharge from the toilet a few inches and this will work?
 
I was on that forum also. I asked about a diagram. Why a vented loop? I guess siphoning action. I just need a diagram.
 
I have no such diagram. Vic, who might ( or might not ) have one, is on vacation...
 
First, using something like KO or Odorlos in a holding tank with only urine is useless. The additive needs solid waste to feed on or the bugs will die off. Contrary to some popular belief, restricting the use of your head to only #1 is not good.

Second, if there is a filter in your vent line get rid of it. Make sure your vent line is clear so fresh air is getting into and out of your tank. The tank needs solid matter, good bugs to break it down (KO/Odorlos) and fresh air exchange to support the process.

Third, check your hoses. Rub a damp rag over them and smell the rag. If the rag smells then the hoses need to be replaced.
 
My vent line has no filter. It runs to the front of the boat and is near the bow on the port side. What I think happens is as the boat is moving, air being pushed into the the vent on the front part of the bow is forcing air from the tank to the head. If I had some water in the tank this would block that smell.
 
Selby, there is a duckbill valve in the head that acts as a one way valve. I've never heard of a problem that is as you have described, but if that is the cause, then you have a problem with the duckbill valve ( called a joker valve ).
 
Selby, what you have said is contradictory:

If, as you suspect, air forced into the vent is exiting through the head, then the stinky air must be passing through a duckbill valve that is not acting as a one way valve, ie: the joker valve is not working correctly.

If you replaced the joker valve, and you are confident that it is functioning correctly, than the odor is not coming from air forced into the holding tank vent.

---

If you simply want water in the bottom, then the correct way to do it is with the vented loop, for which I do not have instructions or diagrams. Perhaps the forum moderator, Vic Willman, will be able to help you with that when he gets back from vacation.

But if you are attempting to diagnose an odor issue, it is unlikely that there will be any difference between a bowl with no water and a bowl with water. If the joker valve is functioning correctly, the odor issue lies elsewhere.
 
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