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Old 10-07-2013, 06:18 AM   #1
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Vent Valve Location ??

We are getting a black water tank smell in the vanity of the coach. Does anyone know if there is a valve or anything plumbed in the system that I could check to make sure it is operating properly?
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Old 10-07-2013, 07:13 AM   #2
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Do you know if your toilet is a Dometic model 300?

Here's a link to a previous thread that deals with the same issue... http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ent-43509.html

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Old 10-07-2013, 07:56 AM   #3
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I believe it is the 310 since it is porcelain.
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Old 10-07-2013, 08:13 AM   #4
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It could also be a "cheater" valve. See this:
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post455036
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Old 10-07-2013, 08:23 AM   #5
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It could also be a "cheater" valve. See this:
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post455036

Thanks Barry - I will take a look in there this evening.
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Old 10-07-2013, 09:46 AM   #6
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We had a black water smell in our 390bh especially when the exhaust fan was on. It turned out to be the back flow preventor valve mounted on our washing machine drain line. The valve allowed the smell to come in until it was changed. You might want to check to see it you have this valve installed anywhere on your system. Good luck
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Old 10-07-2013, 05:06 PM   #7
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It could also be a "cheater" valve. See this:
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post455036
I looked this evening and the cheater valve appears to be located behind a wall. There is also what appears to be vent tube that the sink drain may be connected to instead of a cheater valve.

Why would the grey water smell like black water if the valve is bad ?
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Old 10-07-2013, 05:28 PM   #8
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...
Why would the grey water smell like black water if the valve is bad ?
I don't know why, but I can only tell you that my grey tank smells pretty much as bad as my black tank. I'll admit that I haven't spent much time differentiating between the two aromas however. ;-)
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Old 10-07-2013, 05:37 PM   #9
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The valve that was giving me the trouble and smell did not appear to have any moving parts. Although I thought the washing machine water was going into the grey tank we still had the smell like it was coming from the black water tank (pretty nasty). Once the back flow preventer valve was located and the dealer changed the back flow preventer valve the smell went away. Apparently the grey water tank develops foul odors from food remnants etc that go down the drains in the kitchen and bath. I hope you find the solution to your problem quickly as we know how unpleasant it can be. Good luck
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Old 10-07-2013, 06:01 PM   #10
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The valve that was giving me the trouble and smell did not appear to have any moving parts. Although I thought the washing machine water was going into the grey tank we still had the smell like it was coming from the black water tank (pretty nasty). Once the back flow preventer valve was located and the dealer changed the back flow preventer valve the smell went away. Apparently the grey water tank develops foul odors from food remnants etc that go down the drains in the kitchen and bath. I hope you find the solution to your problem quickly as we know how unpleasant it can be. Good luck
Did they have to remove the washer to replace?

I hate to cut up the wall inside the vanity on a goose chase.
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Old 10-08-2013, 09:06 AM   #11
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I don't think they removed the washer. There is an access panel in the closet on the wall between the washer and closet and once removed the valve was right there. Good luck
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Old 10-08-2013, 06:20 PM   #12
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UPDATE

I was unable to find the vent located in the bathroom vanity. I cut a small hole in the vanity cabinet and it appears that it is directly tied into the vent that goes thru the roof, KEYWORD appears.

I looked under the kitchen sink and found a cheater vent. Ran over to Lowe's and purchased a new one. The rubber flap in the new one seemed to move back and forth a lot more than the one I removed. Also the one I removed was barely screwed into the piping.

I also looked at the washing machine but with no access panel in the closet I would need to remove the washing machine to investigate further.

So... installed the vent, ran water down the kitchen & bath sinks and fingers crossed the problem has been solved.
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Old 10-08-2013, 06:39 PM   #13
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Where are the shut off water valves for the washing machine? The drain line should be next to the shut off valves. If you take a flash
light and look all around the washing machine you should be able to see the hoses for the water and drain as there must be a way to turn off the water when necessary such as a leaking machine. Hopefully the valve you found was the culprit for the smell. The rubber in those valves tend to dry up and loose the flex. Let us know how you make out.
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Old 10-16-2013, 05:30 PM   #14
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Don't forget about the water manifolds in the wet bay. You can shut down the supply to the washer from there too.
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