|
|
01-20-2015, 10:54 AM
|
#1
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2011
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 577
|
Black tank vent plugged?
Not sure if anyone else has experienced this, but just back from a beach trip without sewer line hookups.
When we used the toilet, the "water" would bubble back up once it filled after flushing. There was back pressure that actually pushed enough air up the drain, to allow that water to spray back out of the toilet. Not good.
I checked the black tank valve to ensure it was sealing by removing the drain cap and inspecting for leaks.
I can't imagine the vent plugging but pressurizing the tank isn't a good thing.
Any thoughts or ideas?
Thx.
__________________
Bob and Better Half
2007 F-250 PSD, SW, CC, LB, 2WD
2006 TF32SS Cross Terrain Toy Hauler (sold)
Reese 16k slider
|
|
|
01-20-2015, 11:53 AM
|
#2
|
Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,162
|
Have you tried sticking a garden hose in the vent pipe and trying to flush it back down into the tank?
|
|
|
01-21-2015, 09:11 AM
|
#3
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2011
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 577
|
Not yet, but my original thought was to take my 25' 3/8" snake and run it down the vent.
I like the garden hose idea better.
I really wondered if others have faced this same issue before?
It's a lot more back pressure that I wouldn't expect, even with a blocked vent.
I will update next week when I get over to the trailer.
Thx.
__________________
Bob and Better Half
2007 F-250 PSD, SW, CC, LB, 2WD
2006 TF32SS Cross Terrain Toy Hauler (sold)
Reese 16k slider
|
|
|
01-21-2015, 10:16 AM
|
#4
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 688
|
This topic has got me very curious. I cant imagine how any back pressure could build up in the black tank. every time you flush you open a large hole which would relieve any pressure in the tank, thats if the vent wasnt working at all. I will watch this thread with anticipation of the problem and solution. The only time I have ever heard of the black tank being overpressurized is with the San-T-Flush system and the drain valved closed allowing the black tank to be overfilled during cleaning
__________________
Jason & Wendy
2014 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7L PSD
2015 Keystone Montana 3711FL
B&W Patriot 16K Fifth Wheel Hitch
|
|
|
01-21-2015, 10:33 AM
|
#5
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: 1
Posts: 2,036
|
I agree with Jason. That's a big tank to pressurize with just a flush. My initial thoughts are that the 3" drain pipe is either too close to the bottom on the tank or you have mounded a pile at the bottom of the tank/drain pipe. The air you see coming up is from the 3" pipe going TO the black tank and is being forced up (no other place to go due to the blockage) by the water from the bowl going down the drain. Hope this description makes sense to you.
|
|
|
01-21-2015, 11:46 AM
|
#6
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2013
Location: So IL
Posts: 1,811
|
You could use a drain snake if you have one. I would use a hose first if you don't. Probably needs a good flushing. The pressure thing is confusing though.
__________________
Tim
13 ST25RB
08 F-250 SC 6.8L XLT 4x4
|
|
|
01-21-2015, 12:41 PM
|
#7
|
Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: New Mexico/ Calif
Posts: 312
|
Sounds like the tank is full or liquid level is higher than the pipe going from the toilet.
I would drain and pour water down toilet and see if it still bubbles
But its just my $00.2
__________________
2013 Jefferson
2006 Chev 3500 DRW
2009 Corvette
Tony & Joanne
Full Time
|
|
|
01-21-2015, 01:46 PM
|
#8
|
Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,162
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by cw3jason
This topic has got me very curious. I cant imagine how any back pressure could build up in the black tank. every time you flush you open a large hole which would relieve any pressure in the tank, thats if the vent wasnt working at all. I will watch this thread with anticipation of the problem and solution. The only time I have ever heard of the black tank being overpressurized is with the San-T-Flush system and the drain valved closed allowing the black tank to be overfilled during cleaning
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stan
I agree with Jason. That's a big tank to pressurize with just a flush. My initial thoughts are that the 3" drain pipe is either too close to the bottom on the tank or you have mounded a pile at the bottom of the tank/drain pipe. The air you see coming up is from the 3" pipe going TO the black tank and is being forced up (no other place to go due to the blockage) by the water from the bowl going down the drain. Hope this description makes sense to you.
|
Don't you think it possible if the vent pipe is plugged---when you flush the toilet and drop that mass down into the holding tank, the air has to go some place and if the vent is plugged, the only way it has to escape is back up the toilet?
I will monitor this tread for the results and findings.
|
|
|
01-21-2015, 01:57 PM
|
#9
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 688
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lloyd
Don't you think it possible if the vent pipe is plugged---when you flush the toilet and drop that mass down into the holding tank, the air has to go some place and if the vent is plugged, the only way it has to escape is back up the toilet?
I will monitor this tread for the results and findings.
|
If the mass is large enough to cause pressure when flushed, one might consider more leafy vegtables in ones diet
but seriously, I have never heard of this. Was the toilet overful maybe? He did say he was not hooked up to sewer, maybe just to much contents
__________________
Jason & Wendy
2014 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7L PSD
2015 Keystone Montana 3711FL
B&W Patriot 16K Fifth Wheel Hitch
|
|
|
01-21-2015, 02:05 PM
|
#10
|
Weekend Camper
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Texas/ Relocating to Mass.
Posts: 43
|
Could the windy conditions going down the vent pipe have caused you're problem?
I'm also thinking if the vent was clogged then the smell would be really bad.
|
|
|
01-21-2015, 04:04 PM
|
#11
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: MS
Posts: 2,746
|
Last July the camper next door had that problem, Turned out that the vent pipe was pluged by a wasp nest, one of the largest I have ever seen
__________________
Frank and Janet Henn
2000 Monoco Lapalma
being pushed by a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Traveling with Rainbow the wonder dog and now with Sunshine the rescue Schnauzer.
|
|
|
01-21-2015, 06:20 PM
|
#12
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: 1
Posts: 2,036
|
LLoyd, yes it is possible but here is my thoughts. One flush is about 1 -2 gallons (depending on how full the bowl was) going into a 35-40 gallon tank. Will that 1-2 gallons of water pressurize that large of tank enough to blow water up the drain enough to splash? I would think you would need at least 4 - 5 PSI to do that. I have been wrong before so am really interested in this outcome.
|
|
|
01-21-2015, 06:57 PM
|
#13
|
Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 5,724
|
I'm sitting here in constipation waiting for the outcome.
__________________
Mark & Susan
Lehighton, Pennsylvania
EAGLE HT FIFTH WHEEL | 30.5CKTS - '13 Ford F150 SCREW - PullRite Superslide - Roadmaster Active Suspension
Member - "Northeast Adventures RV Rally Group" & "Mason-Dixon Bunch"
|
|
|
01-21-2015, 07:04 PM
|
#14
|
Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,162
|
Take two ex-lax and call me in the morning.
|
|
|
01-21-2015, 08:09 PM
|
#15
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: VA
Posts: 1,720
|
You didn't have the exhaust fan on in the bathroom blowing out when you flushed did you?
__________________
2013 Silverado 2500HD LTZ CC 6.6L Duramax Diesel
2023 Rockwood 2445WS
Buster, miniature Dachshund
2024: 2 trips, 26 nights in 8 states, 4801 miles
2023: 9 trips, 48 nights in 12 states, 2 provinces, 8120 miles
2019: 7 trips, 43 nights in 6 states, 3904 miles
|
|
|
01-22-2015, 08:03 PM
|
#16
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2013
Location: So IL
Posts: 1,811
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mark5w
I'm sitting here in constipation waiting for the outcome.
|
That's hilarious!
__________________
Tim
13 ST25RB
08 F-250 SC 6.8L XLT 4x4
|
|
|
01-23-2015, 09:44 AM
|
#17
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2011
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 577
|
Headed over this w/end to check the vent. It does have a sani tee and I do use it to flush but it wasn't connected when this occurs.
Also, It wasn't windy when this was happening and it also happened before and after I drained and cleaned out the tank.
I did not have the exhaust fan on and can't imagine that could add that much suction.
I will think about my diet though Jason, never thought it could just be methane gas.
Thx.
More to follow.
__________________
Bob and Better Half
2007 F-250 PSD, SW, CC, LB, 2WD
2006 TF32SS Cross Terrain Toy Hauler (sold)
Reese 16k slider
|
|
|
01-24-2015, 07:21 PM
|
#18
|
Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 5,724
|
Have you discovered the problem yet?
__________________
Mark & Susan
Lehighton, Pennsylvania
EAGLE HT FIFTH WHEEL | 30.5CKTS - '13 Ford F150 SCREW - PullRite Superslide - Roadmaster Active Suspension
Member - "Northeast Adventures RV Rally Group" & "Mason-Dixon Bunch"
|
|
|
01-31-2015, 09:13 AM
|
#19
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2011
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 577
|
So yesterday, I went over to the trailer to check it out. Since I had flushed out the black tank very well after our last trip, I tested each of the three drain valves. All sealed properly, but I was thinking a worn valve issue could create this back pressure.
I then filled the toilet with about 3 gallons of water and flushed. The water filled the drain line but then stopped. I continued to fill the toilet up to the rim and flushing did nothing.
I use a security cable to run down the angled drain line when it plugs and went to get it. I again pushed the flush lever and nothing. Still full, then all of a sudden, whoosh. The "plug" released and the toilet flushed properly before I had a chance to use the cable.
Not sure if the issue was mounding up, as the tank was very clear water and my San I tee system works pretty well.
After heading for home, I got to thinking...Our 4 yr old granddaughter spends lots of time with us and just maybe, one of her Barbie's ended up in the toilet.
My next step will be to see what comes out.
Thanks all for your help and ideas.
__________________
Bob and Better Half
2007 F-250 PSD, SW, CC, LB, 2WD
2006 TF32SS Cross Terrain Toy Hauler (sold)
Reese 16k slider
|
|
|
01-31-2015, 10:31 AM
|
#20
|
Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,162
|
If that's the case, hopefully it will come out.
It would to bad if it clogged up the outlet of the tank, or got part way out the drain line---hit a elbow and sits there.
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|