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Topic: Holding tank odor **solved** (Read 739 times) previous topic - next topic

Holding tank odor **solved**

Maybe someone can benefit from this tale...

After getting our 1991 Foretravel last summer, occassionally we would notice what we thought was a holding tank odor inside the coach. It seemed to originate in the galley and I thought one of the tank vent pipes had broken loose and the leak was getting through under the sink area. I was not looking forward to trying to fix it.

I checked all the usual things like making sure all the drain traps had water (especially the easy-to-forget washer/dryer drain pipe).

One day the odor was particularily strong and I traced it to the stove. I lifted the stove top and soaped all the valves and the center valve for the burner pilot was leaking. So the odor actually was propane gas. I cleaned up the valve and greased it, and no more odor.

Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: Holding tank odor **solved**

Reply #1 –
Quote from: prfleming –
So the odor actually was propane gas. I cleaned up the valve and greased it, and no more odor.

Peter,

Do you have an LP detector in the coach, and if so, do you know its age?

If not, please get one.  If so, if it's more than 7 years old it should be replaced. 

LP and CO detectors have about a 7 year life; smoke detectors have about a 10 year one.  Then they should be replaced.

-M
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Holding tank odor **solved**

Reply #2 –
We had what we thought sometimes was the same odor.  I traced it to the off/on switched solenoid at the tank.  It was part of the safety system wired to the detector on the floor by the sink.  I removed the bad switch valve.  New coaches do not have this old style safety system.

Great point about the age of our safety system detectors.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Holding tank odor **solved**

Reply #3 –
Michelle:

Excellent suggestion, I don't believe there is an LP detector, I will be ordering one...
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: Holding tank odor **solved**

Reply #4 –
Quote from: prfleming –
Michelle:

Excellent suggestion, I don't believe there is an LP detector, I will be ordering one...
Am sure you have one .  Should be down close to the floor somewhere.  Mine is on kitchen sink cabinet.  They need to be replaced after 5 to 7 years like the carbon monxide detectors and smoke detectors.  Actually the LP detector is a "Explosive Gas" detector.  You can buy the replacement RV models or the portable stick on the wall models.  Makes no difference as long as they are operating properly and batteries have been replaced on the portable ones.  But the built in LP ones might shut down you propane if they go bad.  Am sure there is a work around for that.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Holding tank odor **solved**

Reply #5 –
Years ago when I didn't know better ,I stop at a station that sold propane and told the kid at the pump to fill it up. I got about 20 miles down the road when the safety valve on the tank went off. The smell inside the RV was overpowering. I had 8 young kids and my wife inside and the clean up took days. I might have killed us all in one big fireball.Gam
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'
 

Re: Holding tank odor **solved**

Reply #6 –
A few years ago I had a bad smell in my 5ver, it wouldn't go away and I did extensive tank washouts and cleaning and checked for gas leaks, come to find out I had a main thence free marine battery that went bad and it was cooked and making the smell. When I found it the battery was hot to touch and I feel I was very fortunate that it didn't catch fire. After that close call I made a habit of checking all my components weekly, batteries, fridge, propane tanks and , furnaces, and yes the co monitor is a very important component to keep up to date, also smoke detectors, Adam
Adam Byler
1999 U320 M4200 DGFE Build #5389
2014 Sundowner 26 ft Enclosed
2015 Ford F150 King Ranch crew cab