Smelly Toilet

Hi all. Haven't been here in a while , , , since getting help last October at J&R Trailer in Ohio (just left them a message today and they've almost completed their move to Mt. Vernon, Ohio). I managed to get out of Buffalo before winter and am in Arcadia, FL. nice and warm. OK ! So , , , my toilet is holding water perfectly but there is that mild awful outhouse smell when I lift the lid. I got a new product from "Unique Distributors" in Arizona that is working wonders on my partial blockage in my black tank. I recommend their product and there is no formaldehyde that kills the useful bacteria. Back to my problem: the methane is building up under the seat cover when not in use. I can't make up my mind whether to replace the whole toilet for $120 bucks or replace a part which might require me to take the whole toilet apart (I have the diagrams). Can anyone point me in the right direction as to what seal or part is breaking down and causing the gas to escape through the toilet? My vent-stack is working on the roof == there is a smell up there as well. Thanks in advance. It's almost travel time again. Spring is around the corner. Cheers, Jeff Campbell

Most RV toilets have a flapper valve or a blade valve that opens when flushed. There are seals on the valves and/or on the valve seat. Provided the flapper/blade valve and the valve seat aren't cracked, replacing the seals usually solves the problem. Another thing to look at is the spring or springs that pull the valve closed.

Some toilet manufacturers sell a rebuild kit that includes all the seals.

Toilet smell

Hopefully Norton Rider hit the nail on the head. If you bring the trailer home you can contact Mantelli trailer sales for advice or parts. This would certainly be cheaper than a new toilet. You sure picked a good winter to be in Florida. Tomorrow we are predicted to get at least a foot of snow. Maybe three more additional inches. Today was a balmy 54degrees. Thursday it will be back to 14degrees. Good weather to make you sick. Please bring back some very warm weather with you. Take care SAM

If the toilet bowl holds water when closed the I would look closer at the vent pipe to see if it is partially plugged. With a good seal in the bowl and a clear vent line there should be no smell.

JIM L said:

If the toilet bowl holds water when closed the I would look closer at the vent pipe to see if it is partially plugged. With a good seal in the bowl and a clear vent line there should be no smell.

Click to expand...

I agree with that. If the bowl is holding water there should be no odor getting out. Check where the vent pipe telescopes to see if there is excess space between them that could allow gas leakage.

Originally Posted by JIM L View Post
If the toilet bowl holds water when closed the I would look closer at the vent pipe to see if it is partially plugged. With a good seal in the bowl and a clear vent line there should be no smell.





I also agree with Jim L. Case in point; I took the cap off my vent pipe just one year after buying our Hi-Lo and discovered a mud dauber had just about sealed off the top of the vent pipe under the cap. After removing all the mud, I wrapped a piece of screen wire around the outside of the pipe to cover the opening between the cap and the pipe and secured it with a piece of safety wire. Those little devils can sure get everywhere.

Beach