Suddenly we are experiencing very bad black tank odor in our Solitude S. I have replaced the black tank and large gray tank drain valves and cables, were working very hard. PITA job by the way. All was well for a few days, then smell started. Removed cargo and panels in crawl space to get access to plumbing, all looks fine. Drained black tank and situation improved, but it's back. Could it be a vent issue? We are fulltiming, camp workers in Pagosa Springs. We appreciate any and all help!
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You may want to check the vent on the roof to see if it has any obstructions. There is one screw that holds it on then it just pops off. When you checked the plumbing in the pass thru did you check the tank connections? There should be a large one for the toilet and a small one for the vent, both should be visible.
BrianBrian & Michelle
2018 Reflection 29RS
2022 Chevy 3500HD
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Originally posted by steve gravelle View PostSuddenly we are experiencing very bad black tank odor in our Solitude S. I have replaced the black tank and large gray tank drain valves and cables, were working very hard. PITA job by the way. All was well for a few days, then smell started. Removed cargo and panels in crawl space to get access to plumbing, all looks fine. Drained black tank and situation improved, but it's back. Could it be a vent issue? We are fulltiming, camp workers in Pagosa Springs. We appreciate any and all help!
See https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operati...mittance-valve and https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operati...grey-tank-odor for conversations about the valves.
Howard
Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.
Howard & Francine
2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus
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Brian and Howard, we treasure your concern and knowledge! The roof vent has no obstruction, but the air admittance valve in the bathroom is a problem, sink drains very slowly. Removed both valves by hand and as we are taking our Solitude to Durango tomorrow to get body damage estimated, we'll swing over to Home Depot to get new valves, maybe three. This is what we treasure about Grand Design, the hearts of fellow owners to share knowledge and help!2020 Solitude 2930RL S-Class
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All the vent lines come together on their way to the single roof vent. Thus, the black tank vent is “connected” to the grey tank AAVs. A slight pressure difference between outside and inside pressure (can be caused by an exhaust fan) is enough to cause the preferred route for black tank odours to be through a failed AAV rather than out the roof stack.
RobCate & Rob
(with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
2015 Reflection 303RLS
2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
Bayham, Ontario, Canada
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With respect to the slow draining bathroom sink, steve gravelle, if you don't already have one get a screen for the drain when you stop to pick up the AAV. Toothpaste, soap scum, hair and other stuff can quickly plug the sink drain line. It would be a good idea to snake the drain line out too. I found it fairly easy to insert the snake through the fitting that the AAV screws onto.John
2018 Momentum 395M
2018 Ram 3500 Dually
Every day is a Saturday, but with no lawn to mow.
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Update to all, our friends at Home Depot had AAVs in stock. Returning to Pagosa Springs from Durango, odor was terrible in our unit. Installing new AAVs has returned inside air quality to Rocky Mountain pine perfection, except when cooking bacon. Fortunately, that dissipates quickly. Many thanks to our valued fellow Grand Design owners!2020 Solitude 2930RL S-Class
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Originally posted by steve gravelle View PostUpdate to all, our friends at Home Depot had AAVs in stock. Returning to Pagosa Springs from Durango, odor was terrible in our unit. Installing new AAVs has returned inside air quality to Rocky Mountain pine perfection, except when cooking bacon. Fortunately, that dissipates quickly. Many thanks to our valued fellow Grand Design owners!2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.
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Originally posted by Lonestar View PostPlease educate me. What's the purpose of the AAV's and how many should I have in my trailer?
Unfortunately can't be more specific than that as the moderators don't have the info for your 273MK.
Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.
Howard & Francine
2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus
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Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.
Howard & Francine
2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus
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Lonestarhowson
Why is an AAV required? . . . When a column of water drops in a vertical pipe it creates a vacuum behind it that can pull the water out of a P trap. This is not a problem if the P trap connects directly to a vertical vent stack (as is usual in a residential situation) since air will be drawn down the vent stack before water is pulled out of the P trap. But, if there is no adjacent vertical vent stack (as is usual in an RV), there needs to be a way to let air in before this vacuum pulls the water out of the P trap. This is what the AAV (Air Admittance Valve) does. Of course, this valve has to be one-way to prevent odours from the drain system from coming back into the RV. Thus, the failure mode of an AAV is when the one-way feature fails and tank odours come back out.
There should be an AAV to go with every P trap drain in an RV unless there is an adjacent roof vent stack (which would be unusual). "Duck bill" drains create a positive seal and do not require an AAV.
RobCate & Rob
(with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
2015 Reflection 303RLS
2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
Bayham, Ontario, Canada
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Replying to Yoda re: Tarpley. We had a good visit with Tarpley. Megan is the service advisor/manager we talked to. She brought out one of the service techs who is knowledgeable on interior issues. No surprise, he showed us what needs to be done to repair and it requires removal of all cabinetry above bed and to do repair, quite a bit more than insurance estimated. Megan is quite young and has a courteous and respectful attitude. I believe they will get the work done properly as long as they can get insurance to concur. Always an issue.
It sounds like you worked with Tarpley and it was a challenge. Would appreciate your experience.2020 Solitude 2930RL S-Class
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