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Septic, possible propane odor outside coach/not inside

Yahoo Message Number: 63458
While sitting outside the coach we get an occaisonal whiff of odor which I think is from a vent somewhere on the coach. I had the propane system checked and it passed but it still could be a propane leak some where...It, the odor, is ground level or nose high when sitting in a chair outside. Is it possible that the odor comes from the roof vent and drifts down? We have never smelled it inside the coach. ???

Bill, Allure 31604

Re: Septic, possible propane odor outside coach/not inside

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63460

Bill

One such odor we came across thinking it was septic was the bubbling of our batteries overcharging. The sulfur smell was very similar to septic. Check your battery bay Probably not the source, but worth a check.
Ed

08 Intrigue12260

Re: Septic, possible propane odor outside coach/not inside

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63463
Hey thanks, we had that happen on a previous coach where i was overcharging. On this coach the batteries seem ok, cool to the touch and check out ok, but it is still a possibility. I dont know if it is possible for the odor from a roof vent to drift down to the ground level or not. It is annoying but at least not inside the coach. I will keep looking and searching old threads. thanks bill

Re: Septic, possible propane odor outside coach/not inside

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63470
You might be camped near a "vent stack" on the parks sewer system. Not all the spaces have these "vent stacks" but some do. You can quickly find out by looking at the sewer connection area (yours or a next door neighbors) for a tall plastic pipe. As far as your propane system smell, it would smell like "garlic" as this is added to propane as a odorant. Natural gas smells like "onion".
Gordo

99 Allure 30344

Re: Septic, possible propane odor outside coach/not inside

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63913
I've experienced the same delightful phonomina. I bought one of those winged vent tops that move with the wind direction hoping that would get rid of it. Instead, it drops the "poo" smell down on us as badly if not worse when we're sitting outside.
Most of the time I have found the tank has been sitting too long and needs to be dumped and back flushed. Even after that, if someone flushes the pot while underway, we're immediately engulfed with "the smell" in the pilot/co-pilot seat areas. Never have figured that one out.

Re: Septic, possible propane odor outside coach/not inside

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63916
I can't speak to the outside smell but can give a possibility for the inside smell because we just solved ours.[/b]
Under the kitchen sink is a "valve" at the top of a pipe connected to the drain. I understand this is a way to release pressure when the drain is being used. This valve can be purchased at any home improvement store or rv supply for about $3. It screws on so there is no need for special tools, etc.
On my coach, the valve was actually broken off. I have no idea of when or how but the odors just started this year. I have never found the valve. I purchased a rubber sleeve connector with two hose clamps. It was a 2" to 1 1/2" reducer. Guess what, no more smells. Sorry for the non-technical descriptions but I am a non-technical person.

Hope this is your problem.

George

'04 Inspire 51061

Re: Septic, possible propane odor outside coach/not inside

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63921
Hi George,

The valve is a vent for the trap. It is supposed to let air in breaking the vacuum caused by water running down the drain pipe. They are often used where it is not feasible to install a through the roof vent, Unfortunately eventually the flapper valve in it wears and lets air both in and out if there is any negative pressure in the coach. There are two in my coach, one under the kitchen sink and one under the bathroom vanity. The sink across from the toilet has a through the roof vent.
Many people are unaware of them and one can spend a lot of time chasing odors because of it.

Don Seager

2004 Allure 31046

Re: Septic, possible propane odor outside coach/not inside

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63924
Thanks Don, I wish I knew what happened to mine.

George

'04 Inspire 51061

Re: Septic, possible propane odor outside coach/not inside

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63934
The valve is a vent for the trap. It is supposed to let air in breaking the vacuum caused by water running down the drain pipe. They are often used where it is not feasible to install a through the roof vent, Unfortunately eventually the flapper valve in it wears and lets air both in and out if there is any negative pressure in the coach. There are two in my coach, one under the kitchen sink and one under the bathroom vanity. The sink across from the toilet has a through the roof vent.

******************

I am so happy this subject came up. I have been plagued with smells on and off from day one. (Sometimes grey, sometimes black, sometimes I am not sure which. The first solution was to replace all 3 valves two years ago. This seemed to help for a little while. I am now getting an almost constant smell when I drive unless I empty the near empty tanks every day. So regarding the above how long should they last? Is there any way to test them? Could I cap them off temporarily and see if that helps. What would happen if you didn't use them?
My roof vent pipes are the proper length and extend through the caps.
Is there a way of really diagnosing this problem. One of the ex-techs mentioned a couple of years ago, a fog machine connected to the outlet pipe to visually see where the leak is. Is this possible? Is there any kind of electronic sniffing device?
BTW I too get some kind of usually mild odor from the coach heat or air. Makes me think sewer but could be mildew?

Gassed out and frustrated!!

John Shankland
2007 Inspire 52028

Re: Septic, possible propane odor outside coach/not inside

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63936
Do you have Toyo tires?? we did and had the sewer smell on the tires (known problem with Toyo tires). Once we replaced them, no more outside odor. We do have the odor problem when going down the road with a window or vent open and flushing. (so we don't do that! lol).
Lonny & Diane
2004 Allure 33'
#31065

Re: Septic, possible propane odor outside coach/not inside

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 73092
Quote from: littlebaler1"

> While sitting outside the coach we get an occaisonal whiff of odor which I think is from a vent somewhere on the coach. I had the propane system checked and it passed but it still could be a propane leak some where...It, the odor, is ground level or nose high when sitting in a chair outside. Is it possible that the odor comes from the roof vent and drifts down? We have never smelled it inside the coach. ??? >

Bill, Allure 31604

UPDATE

After all this time the odor continued until this week while getting some work done at OREGON MOTORCOACH CENTER in Eugene.. They discovered a small pin hole leak in the back of the tank. Put a new tank in and now there is no odor..That is a very good place to have work done on your coach .. Bill
 

Re: Septic, possible propane odor outside coach/not inside

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 73100
Quote from: littlebaler1"
Quote from: littlebaler1"

>

> While sitting outside the coach we get an occaisonal whiff of odor which I think is from a vent somewhere on the coach. I had the propane system checked and it passed but it still could be a propane leak some where...It, the odor, is ground level or nose high when sitting in a chair outside. Is it possible that the odor comes from the roof vent and drifts down? We have never smelled it inside the coach. ??? > >

> Bill, Allure 31604
>

UPDATE

After all this time the odor continued until this week while getting some work done at OREGON MOTORCOACH CENTER in Eugene.. They discovered a small pin hole leak in the back of the tank. Put a new tank in and now there is no odor..That is a very good place to have work done on your coach .. Bill >
Sorry , the PROPANE tank was the tank replaced