Bad smell on dock and in cockpit when flushing toilets

JamesT

JamesT

Active Member
Oct 7, 2013
250
Somers Point, NJ
Boat Info
2011 470 Sundancer
Engines
Cummins 480s w/ Zeus PODs
So whenever we flush a toilet there is a horrible odor that comes from the stern area (I assume where the vacuflush vent is located) and stinks up the entire cockpit. Can anything be done about this? Is this normal?
 
Learn a lesson from Scott......Dont poop on the boat................or change your diet!
 
It is likely or at least possible that your vent filter got wet from allowing your holding tank to over fill. Many here (including myself) have "recharged" the filter by replacing the charcoal inside the filter's plastic housing.
 
It could be your filter but start with getting your holding tank pumped out. Remember to flush the tank with water after it's pumped and repump. I would also buy a holding tank cleaner at your local marine supplier.
 
mwph said:
It is likely or at least possible that your vent filter got wet from allowing your holding tank to over fill. Many here (including myself) have "recharged" the filter by replacing the charcoal inside the filter's plastic housing.
Click to expand...

+1. BTDT!

Rebuilding is easy and less than $10.

Another option is the Big Orange Filter.

http://www.bigorangefilter.com

HTH
 
The new design holding talks makes saturating the filter almost a sure thing. Once it gets wet, it is going to smell, not just when you flush the head, but all the time.

The first thing I did when I bought my boat was to re-route the holding tank vent lines and relocated the filters in the process. My filters are now as high in the bilge as I could get them, i.e. fastened to the cockpit floor supports. As a result, I haven't had to change my holding tank filters yet……and my boat is 17 years old.
 
Turn on a faucet. If you get the same rotten egg smell as you do when you flush your toilet then its probably bad holding tank water. If not then its most likely plugged or saturated fart filter as previous posts have mentioned.
 
CAMELLA said:
It could be your filter but start with getting your holding tank pumped out. Remember to flush the tank with water after it's pumped and repump. I would also buy a holding tank cleaner at your local marine supplier.
Click to expand...

Good point. I got rid of a lot of smell issues doing that. These work great if you are inlcined to cut your tank.

http://www.camco.net/Products?s=tornado

After you pump out, put in about 16 ounces of Calgon in your holding tank, fill your holding tank about 1/3 with water and go for a ride. The Calgon will help dissolve solids stuck to the tank walls. I know some RVers who use the Calgon, laundry detergent and water on the way home from a trip. To me that's overkill, but they swear it works for them. I put a cup of Calgon in the holding tank via the Vacuflush after every pumpout. So far, so good.
 
LOL "Ancient Chinese Secret" :0) Had not seen the 'Tornado', but I think that idea has merit. My piece of the ancient Chinese secret is 'read the directions on the Vacuflush'. Hold down the pedal for 3-4 seconds each flush to help be sure the hose is cleared of .. umm... 'crud'. Simi permeable hoses will eventually stink to high heaven if sewage is left in them. Also, empty the holding tank if the boat will sit for more than a few weeks. Even if it is not half full. We have 'Marine Service Corps' Mobile Pump-out, locally, so if I am lazy to take off all the isinglass covers and dock lines and power cord and putter over to the pump-out station, they will come and pump out my tank for $25. They will do it while I am at work and email the bill. Other than the empty tank, I can not even tell anyone was there. Awesome service:0) We do not have to subject our guests to the pump-out routine, and they are usually more entertained by a fuel stop anyway (if one is needed). On our previous boat we had used the Sealand Blue holding tank chemical which worked great but liked to stain everything blue. The previous owner of our Sea Ray 380DA used "Ordorlos" green holding tank treatment. The head had zero smell, and we have continued to use the same stuff with very good results. I always flush some into the empty tank and then again periodically as the head is used. As far as the immediate problem at hand is concerned I am right with the majority on checking the holding tank filter, and I would add you should also look at all the fittings and hoses.
 
Last edited:
fwebster said:
The new design holding talks makes saturating the filter almost a sure thing. Once it gets wet, it is going to smell, not just when you flush the head, but all the time.

The first thing I did when I bought my boat was to re-route the holding tank vent lines and relocated the filters in the process. My filters are now as high in the bilge as I could get them, i.e. fastened to the cockpit floor supports. As a result, I haven't had to change my holding tank filters yet……and my boat is 17 years old.
Click to expand...
Maybe that's why you are always anchored alone Frank? Good idea with relocating.
 
"Simi permeable hoses will eventually stink to high heaven if sewage is left in them" I do not mean to take over this thread with a different question , but , i think it fits with the OP question. My question is the Sanitation hoses - I will be replacing mine from the toilet to the holding tank in the next week or so. I am doing everything i can to get rid of the "smells and odors" - What is the best hose to use as replacement? Sea Ray did not seem to use the best on the market , but , it has held up for 20 plus years. Is the Best Non-permeable hose really needed?. Thanks - Paul
 
Last edited:
Paul_P said:
"Simi permeable hoses will eventually stink to high heaven if sewage is left in them" I do not mean to take over this thread with a different question , but , i think it fits with the OP question. My question is the Sanitation hoses - I will be replacing mine from the toilet to the holding tank in the next week or so. I am doing everything i can to get rid of the "smells and odors" - What is the best hose to use as replacement? Sea Ray did not seem to use the best on the market , but , it has held up for 20 plus years. Is the Best Non-permeable hose really needed?. Thanks - Paul
Click to expand...

run PVC wherever you can.
 
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