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| plugged toilet [message #333904] |
Sat, 23 June 2018 17:26  |
Deb
Messages: 349
Registered: October 2016
Location: Logan Lake, BC
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Hello folks. Me again on the maiden voyage... Never having been able to take her out for more than a day, I have never really used the toilet or had to dump the holding tank with the exception of winterizing and cleaning it up in the spring. There is a macerator installed (which died last fall & I just replaced) and it is working fine. pumping and grinding happily. I can see plenty of clear liquid and some whitish liquid as well (assumed to be the TP dissolved) and takes about 2 minutes to empty about a half filled holding tank. (holding tank volume indicator doesn't work, so I fill the fresh water tank about 1/2 and dump the holding tank when it's time to refill - I know I won't over flow!
Noticed a couple of days ago a strong urine/septic smell at the end of the day's run. Then I noticed that the TP seemed to be backing up in the toilet. It is a Thetford with front foot pedal flush toilet. Using Camco RV toilet paper.
When I got the coach, the holding tank was empty (for how long, and with what originally in it, I do not know). So... I don't know exactly how long this was backing up - maybe from day 1, maybe just the past couple of days. I have been out 10 days now, 2 of us using it. Possibly not using enough water volume for the flush combined with excess paper? Or maybe it was already partially blocked from being dry for ??? time
I see some paper clumps come out the macerator hose, so there is something moving through. Googled during the very brief moments of internet access the other night in the state park, and found that boiling water can help to clear it in may cases.
Have poured a few pots of boiling water in there and it is breaking up the paper so that it now looks like it is dissolving. We have stopped putting paper in it and are flushing profusely. Also took a suitably sized stick to stir the contents around a bit and hopefully help break things up.
It is looking better, but still not flowing properly. We ARE emptying the holding tank easily, but it seems that the toilet contents are not making it completely into that tank.
Suggestions? It does seem to be improving, but it would be nice to know if there is anything that I can do out here on the road to help speed the process up, or go in different direction completely. Or just keep doing what I am doing and it will continue to improve and ultimately clear?
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
GMC Alumnus
It's Bigger on the Inside!
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| Re: [GMCnet] plugged toilet [message #333905 is a reply to message #333904] |
Sat, 23 June 2018 17:45  |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Deb,
You need to stop at a RV Supply and purchase some toilrt cemicals and cut
down on amount of TP.
On Sat, Jun 23, 2018 at 3:26 PM, Deb McWade wrote:
> Hello folks. Me again on the maiden voyage... Never having been able to
> take her out for more than a day, I have never really used the toilet or had
> to dump the holding tank with the exception of winterizing and cleaning it
> up in the spring. There is a macerator installed (which died last fall & I
> just replaced) and it is working fine. pumping and grinding happily. I
> can see plenty of clear liquid and some whitish liquid as well (assumed to
> be
> the TP dissolved) and takes about 2 minutes to empty about a half filled
> holding tank. (holding tank volume indicator doesn't work, so I fill the
> fresh water tank about 1/2 and dump the holding tank when it's time to
> refill - I know I won't over flow!
>
> Noticed a couple of days ago a strong urine/septic smell at the end of the
> day's run. Then I noticed that the TP seemed to be backing up in the
> toilet. It is a Thetford with front foot pedal flush toilet. Using Camco
> RV toilet paper.
>
> When I got the coach, the holding tank was empty (for how long, and with
> what originally in it, I do not know). So... I don't know exactly how long
> this was backing up - maybe from day 1, maybe just the past couple of
> days. I have been out 10 days now, 2 of us using it. Possibly not using
> enough
> water volume for the flush combined with excess paper? Or maybe it was
> already partially blocked from being dry for ??? time
>
> I see some paper clumps come out the macerator hose, so there is something
> moving through. Googled during the very brief moments of internet access
> the other night in the state park, and found that boiling water can help
> to clear it in may cases.
>
> Have poured a few pots of boiling water in there and it is breaking up the
> paper so that it now looks like it is dissolving. We have stopped putting
> paper in it and are flushing profusely. Also took a suitably sized stick
> to stir the contents around a bit and hopefully help break things up.
>
> It is looking better, but still not flowing properly. We ARE emptying the
> holding tank easily, but it seems that the toilet contents are not making
> it completely into that tank.
>
> Suggestions? It does seem to be improving, but it would be nice to know
> if there is anything that I can do out here on the road to help speed the
> process up, or go in different direction completely. Or just keep doing
> what I am doing and it will continue to improve and ultimately clear?
> --
> Deb McWade
> Logan Lake, BC, CAN
> "Li'l Sister"
> '77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
> TZE167V101404
> It's Bigger on the Inside!
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] plugged toilet [message #333906 is a reply to message #333905] |
Sat, 23 June 2018 17:51 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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And while there get a "flusher" -- a pipe attachment for a water hose which
has a nozzle on the lower end so you can aim it around inside the holding
tank as water sprays out breaking up debris.
Ken H.
On Sat, Jun 23, 2018 at 6:46 PM Jim Kanomata wrote:
> Deb,
> You need to stop at a RV Supply and purchase some toilrt cemicals and cut
> down on amount of TP.
>
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] plugged toilet [message #333910 is a reply to message #333906] |
Sat, 23 June 2018 18:47 |
Bruce Hart
Messages: 1501
Registered: October 2011
Location: La Grange, Wyoming
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Your toilet dumps directly into the black tank, no pipes no valves to get
blocked.
Only suggestion I have is, are you sure your valve on the end of the black
take is wide open!!
On Sat, Jun 23, 2018 at 4:51 PM, Ken Henderson
wrote:
> And while there get a "flusher" -- a pipe attachment for a water hose which
> has a nozzle on the lower end so you can aim it around inside the holding
> tank as water sprays out breaking up debris.
>
> Ken H.
>
> On Sat, Jun 23, 2018 at 6:46 PM Jim Kanomata
> wrote:
>
>> Deb,
>> You need to stop at a RV Supply and purchase some toilrt cemicals and cut
>> down on amount of TP.
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class
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Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
1977 28' Kingsley
La Grange, Wyoming
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| Re: [GMCnet] plugged toilet [message #333912 is a reply to message #333910] |
Sat, 23 June 2018 19:01 |
Deb
Messages: 349
Registered: October 2016
Location: Logan Lake, BC
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Thank you all. I have RV chemicals - Camco TST and I agree - too much paper coupled with the habit of urban water conservation is probably a big contributing factor.
There is a flush connection for the holding tank and I do use it, but perhaps not extensively enough to do the job thoroughly.
And I thought I was pulling that release valve all the way open - maybe not! I will give it a very solid steady pull tomorrow morning when we head out and see what happens. Wouldn't it be great if it turns out to be that simple - another newbie error. Thanks for that Bruce! I hope thats all it is.
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
GMC Alumnus
It's Bigger on the Inside!
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| Re: plugged toilet [message #333913 is a reply to message #333904] |
Sat, 23 June 2018 19:21 |
Deb
Messages: 349
Registered: October 2016
Location: Logan Lake, BC
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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So - went in there with my stick to see if I could find out where the blockage was and, Jim K - Yes - Too much TP and not enough water! The entire vertical pipe down from the toilet was filled with it.
Stirred and poked until I broke it up, then kept flushing and stirring, breaking it up as much as possible until it is now all down in the tank. Added some more chemicals to help with the break down, and we will see how it all goes later tomorrow when I dump!
New toilet protocol - TP in the garbage (unless nasty!) and major flushing at all times. One more lesson learned.
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
GMC Alumnus
It's Bigger on the Inside!
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| Re: plugged toilet [message #333917 is a reply to message #333913] |
Sat, 23 June 2018 20:47 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Deb-
I have myseld and 3 girls using the toilet. Here is my advice:
1st. Make sure you are using RV toilet paper. I pick it up at wallmart, and it is better paper then most porta-potties and mcdonalds.
2nd, my practice has always been, unless I have no choice is to drive,
Then pump the tanks. I am lucky to have a free dump not far from
My house,
So I usually come home afer a weekend and dump later in the week, or dump before I park it.
For you in your travels, dump when you pull into a campground 1st. Then park.
The water swishing around in tank while driving breaks up the paper. I have noy yet had to use a stick in my toilet, and I see the toilet paper supply dwindling as my fresh water tank goes empty.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: plugged toilet [message #333918 is a reply to message #333913] |
Sat, 23 June 2018 20:48 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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This may sound gross, but when we dry camp, we don't always flush the toilet for #1. We let it accumulate a bit so there is plenty of liquid to flush properly. We also keep an "odor obsorber" in there so it doesn't smell. We make sure we flush before bed and whenever it gets too full. There is no real reason to not flush Toilet Paper, just minimize it.
If there is a build-up below the toilet, you can usually clear it with a fuller flush. This is counterproductive if you are trying to save water (as in a dry camping situation) but sometimes necessary. try to only dump your tank when it is nearly full. That way you will usually have plenty of water in there to keep everything moving.
Also, I usually dump the air out of my bags to get the back end down so everything runs to the back of the tank where the outlet is.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] plugged toilet [message #333929 is a reply to message #333923] |
Sun, 24 June 2018 01:10 |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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I see that no one has mentioned the old bag of ice trick.
If feces and toilet paper are mounded on the bottom of the tank and perhaps dried and hard, dump in a bag or two of ice cubes and drive the GMC. A bumpy road might help.
The problem sometimes occurs when people are parked and leave the hose in a campsite dump with the valve open. The liquids drain off but the solids pile up and dry out.
Over the years I have owned my GMC (37) and over 300,000 miles of travel I have never had that problem but I don’t leave the valve open and just open the valve about every two days to dump the tank. We have never had a problem with the amount of tissue we use and in the years when we traveled with 4 children we went through a lot of rolls. We don’t use a special RV paper but use a single layer paper such as Scott’s and in recent years use Costco paper. I see that theirs shows “safe for septic tanks” on the label.
I also don’t leave a hose connected to my city water connection. I fill the water tank and use the pump. If I run dry on water then I know my holding tank is full and it’s time to dump it and refill the water tank. It’s pretty bad when the holding tank backs up into the shower pan.
Over the years I have seen a few cases where people have left their water line on and came back to their motor homes to find water running out the door because of a broken pipe or connection. Nothing worse than having to rip out soggy carpet in an effort to dry out a motorhome.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO
> On Jun 24, 2018, at 5:36 AM, Bruce Hislop wrote:
>
> Deb,
> Had the same thing happen the year after I got the GMC, Empty the tank yet looking down the toilet its still full. Turned out to be the Tee-Pee
> problem. GMC's have a very shallow tank and the pipe can extend down into the tank leaving only a couple inches of clearance for stuff to move out of
> the way!.
>
> First time I had to use the Zip-Dee awning stick to break things up. Since then I've made a water blaster hooked to the water hose which shoots a jet
> down the toilet opening to break up the build-up. I do that a couple time a season with no further issues now.
>
> :roll:
> --
> Bruce Hislop
> ON Canada
> 77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.1 ton front end
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
> My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] plugged toilet [message #333932 is a reply to message #333929] |
Sun, 24 June 2018 08:27 |
 |
Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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Emery,
It may be that the "old bag of ice trick" has been the subject of a couple of very well done videos on Youtube.
While there are always differences between other coaches and ours (our black tanks are very shallow), the ice trick has never been demonstrated to be effective.
That takes us back to the "Once of prevention is worth a pound of cure" place.
Interesting side note. While at working at Thetford (Old man Sargent was an original owner, I was told that the Thermasan units did not work as well in the GMC coaches as it did in the others. There was actually another engineer trying to figure out why. He did not while I was there.
I did later find out from Bill Helmore (another original owner and GMC employee at the time) that the lack of great success was because the GMC coaches did not shake the black tank as well as most others. I would never have suspected that too smooth would ever be an issue.
Matt
emerystora wrote on Sun, 24 June 2018 02:10I see that no one has mentioned the old bag of ice trick.
If feces and toilet paper are mounded on the bottom of the tank and perhaps dried and hard, dump in a bag or two of ice cubes and drive the GMC. A bumpy road might help.
The problem sometimes occurs when people are parked and leave the hose in a campsite dump with the valve open. The liquids drain off but the solids pile up and dry out.
Over the years I have owned my GMC (37) and over 300,000 miles of travel I have never had that problem but I don't leave the valve open and just open the valve about every two days to dump the tank. We have never had a problem with the amount of tissue we use and in the years when we traveled with 4 children we went through a lot of rolls. We don't use a special RV paper but use a single layer paper such as Scott's and in recent years use Costco paper. I see that theirs shows "safe for septic tanks" on the label.
I also don't leave a hose connected to my city water connection. I fill the water tank and use the pump. If I run dry on water then I know my holding tank is full and it's time to dump it and refill the water tank. It's pretty bad when the holding tank backs up into the shower pan.
Over the years I have seen a few cases where people have left their water line on and came back to their motor homes to find water running out the door because of a broken pipe or connection. Nothing worse than having to rip out soggy carpet in an effort to dry out a motorhome.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: plugged toilet [message #333939 is a reply to message #333904] |
Sun, 24 June 2018 15:59 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Senior Member |
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Before a no 2 , depress the right pedal to put an amount of water into the bowl similar to a home toilet. There will then be enough water to carry the solids down. I did not that could clog but it did one time. You are not alone. Not related to chemicals as they are not up in the down tube. I don't even use the chems as the valve is water tight and the drains have water in traps.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: plugged toilet [message #333940 is a reply to message #333904] |
Sun, 24 June 2018 17:04 |
Tilerpep
Messages: 404
Registered: June 2013
Location: Raleigh, NC
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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Did anyone mention to only use certified rv toilet paper? It breaks up easier
1975 Glenbrook, 1978 Royale rear bath
Raleigh, NC
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| Re: plugged toilet [message #333941 is a reply to message #333940] |
Sun, 24 June 2018 17:19 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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In ten years, we have never used designated "RV" toilet paper. We usually use Scott single ply as Emery mentioned above. I'm guessing that nearly any "septic tank safe" single ply will work just as well.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] plugged toilet [message #333943 is a reply to message #333941] |
Sun, 24 June 2018 17:29 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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We use what we have in the house, we have a septic system. Only takes one
plugged up black tank to cure you of using too much paper in the coach. I
really, really, hate messing with black tanks and their drain systems,
including mascerators, so we use lots of water to flush with, hold the
fluids and drain it all at once.
Jim Hupy
On Sun, Jun 24, 2018, 3:23 PM Carl Stouffer wrote:
> In ten years, we have never used designated "RV" toilet paper. We usually
> use Scott single ply as Emery mentioned above. I'm guessing that nearly
> any "septic tank safe" single ply will work just as well.
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive,
> Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American
> Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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| Re: plugged toilet [message #334094 is a reply to message #333904] |
Wed, 27 June 2018 13:06 |
Deb
Messages: 349
Registered: October 2016
Location: Logan Lake, BC
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Just a thanks to all for the assistance on this one. Tried to post a few times over the past few days, but had almost zero signal in the Park we were in and could Not get a post out even when there was service (1 bar). Unplugged and no further issues. Good suggestion to prime the bowl for solids. Makes perfect sense.
Also started to dump upon arrival. Also - perfect sense.
Still get some odors on occasion. Not in the bathroom itself but in the rear, generally after driving. Think I'm getting backdraft from the stack somehow. Have to track that down. Turning on the range fan clears it very quickly.
But the toilet itself is now running freely!! Thank you.
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
GMC Alumnus
It's Bigger on the Inside!
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| Re: [GMCnet] plugged toilet [message #334095 is a reply to message #334094] |
Wed, 27 June 2018 13:11 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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Senior Member |
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Camping World and most other RV dealers have a weather vane like device to install at the top of the toilet vent stack that gives a venturi effect with ANY air velocity past it to actually suck any odors out of the black water holding tank. Not very expensive, either.
D C "Mac" Macdonald
Amateur Radio K2GKK
Since 30 November '53
USAF and FAA, Retired
Member GMCMI & Classics
Oklahoma City, OK
"The Money Pit"
TZE166V101966
'76 ex-Palm Beach
k2gkk + hotmail dot com
________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Deb McWade
Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2018 13:06
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] plugged toilet
Just a thanks to all for the assistance on this one. Tried to post a few times over the past few days, but had almost zero signal in the Park we were
in and could Not get a post out even when there was service (1 bar). Unplugged and no further issues. Good suggestion to prime the bowl for solids.
Makes perfect sense.
Also started to dump upon arrival. Also - perfect sense.
Still get some odors on occasion. Not in the bathroom itself but in the rear, generally after driving. Think I'm getting backdraft from the stack
somehow. Have to track that down. Turning on the range fan clears it very quickly.
But the toilet itself is now running freely!! Thank you.
--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!
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| Re: [GMCnet] plugged toilet [message #334097 is a reply to message #334095] |
Wed, 27 June 2018 13:40 |
Deb
Messages: 349
Registered: October 2016
Location: Logan Lake, BC
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Thanks Mac. Next stop I can make I will pick one up!
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
GMC Alumnus
It's Bigger on the Inside!
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