Stinking grey waste tank… (1 Viewer)

[Two on Tour]

Common issue. The u-bend traps normally prevent the smell from coming back up the drain holes. But when you're driving, the air pressure and movement shifts enough water for the grey tank to vent back...

We learnt very early on to always put the plugs in the plughole when travelling to prevent that.

 

[Grecian]

We've been using that in the cassette for several years. It does break down solids, prevents smells and keeps the cassette clean.

Thanks for the tip - how much do you add to the toilet cassette please?

 

[MikeManning]

And phosphoric acid which is what does the cleaning.

Nonsense!

Sorry to be argumentative here but DON'T use cheap cola, or expensive for that matter, in your grey water tanks. The Very place for it is in the dustbin...unopened....or see below.

I have been racing RC IC model cars for many years and often when the tarmac tracks are 'green' after a closed season we spray 'cheap cola' on the track the previous day so that on race day the track is REALLY grippy/sticky.
Would you want that happening in your waste tank???

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[Krumpli]

I have used cheap Cola many times and it certainly gets rid of the pong. But Tombola mentioned:
"I used to use cheap cola, but advice here stopped me doing this."
Can anyone outline what the problem is with Cola?

I have also used dishwasher cleaner with good results.

 

[G-RMPS]

This may be a coincidence but I’ve just cleaned my grey tank with Fenwicks. The tank now has a leak.

I tried taking a photo from underneath. There seems to be a big blob of some kind of rubber sealant near to the waste pipe. Any idea what this might be?

 

[Two on Tour]

Nonsense!

Sorry to be argumentative here but DON'T use cheap cola, or expensive for that matter, in your grey water tanks. The Very place for it is in the dustbin...unopened....or see below.

I have been racing RC IC model cars for many years and often when the tarmac tracks are 'green' after a closed season we spray 'cheap cola' on the track the previous day so that on race day the track is REALLY grippy/sticky.
Would you want that happening in your waste tank???

A bit on information for you as phosphoric acid is a common cleaning chemical.

https://chem.libretexts.org/Ancilla...ods/Polyprotic_Acids_and_Bases_in_Cola_Drinks

Phosphoric Acid 85% - Food Grade Acid - Ecochem - Cleaning Products

Phosphoric Acid 85% Food Grade Acid – Biodegradable Phosphoric Acid removes water hardness, milkstone deposits and other oxide films safely when compared with alternative acids. Phosphoric Acid is especially useful for removing surface rust from ferrous metals and provides some protection...

www.ecochem.co.nz

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[M-J]

This may be a coincidence but I’ve just cleaned my grey tank with Fenwicks. The tank now has a leak.

I tried taking a photo from underneath. There seems to be a big blob of some kind of rubber sealant near to the waste pipe. Any idea what this might be?

View attachment 528028

Looks like a bodged hole repair has been unbodged in the cleaning process.

 

[Wee McB]

My grey waste tank has suddenly developed a stink and needs a good clean, I’ve previously used elsan tank freshener but assume all that has done is masked the smell rather than cure the problem.

I was thinking of buying the fenwicks grey tank cleaner but having read about so many cheap alternatives I am here to ask which actually work.

cheap cola?

caustic soda?

bio washing liquid?

I would like a one time solution that I can do a couple of times a year rather than something I need to add regularly.

Thanks in advance.

We had similar issue. We use bicarbonate of soda and distilled white vinegar. Cover the drainage holes with bicarb, there should be a little hill of bicarb, pour the vinegar over. A chemical reaction occurs and the fuzzing will get rid of anything clinging to the pipes. Do not use the sinks, shower for an hour then pour boiling water down plugholes. We use this method in the shower as well as the sinks. Another tip is to wipe plates and pans with paper towel prior to washing as this will minimise the amount of food scraps going into the waste and the frequency of the smells coming back.

 

[GJH]

Thanks for the tip - how much do you add to the toilet cassette please?

Just one cap full normally.

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[Bucket]

Most of the dialogue here is about 'cure', how about prevention?
We try as hard as we can to avoid draining anything biological or fatty, food stuffs are scraped off before washing up for instance. It took some thought to begin but is now 2nd nature. Even the washing up water is taken to the grey waste drain if close enough. Since establishing the habits our grey tank has hardly needed any special attention.

 

[Clive Beeza]

My grey waste tank has suddenly developed a stink and needs a good clean, I’ve previously used elsan tank freshener but assume all that has done is masked the smell rather than cure the problem.

I was thinking of buying the fenwicks grey tank cleaner but having read about so many cheap alternatives I am here to ask which actually work.

cheap cola?

caustic soda?

bio washing liquid?

I would like a one time solution that I can do a couple of times a year rather than something I need to add regularly.

Thanks in advance.

My grey waste tank has suddenly developed a stink and needs a good clean, I’ve previously used elsan tank freshener but assume all that has done is masked the smell rather than cure the problem.

I was thinking of buying the fenwicks grey tank cleaner but having read about so many cheap alternatives I am here to ask which actually work.

cheap cola?

caustic soda?

bio washing liquid?

I would like a one time solution that I can do a couple of times a year rather than something I need to add regularly.

Thanks in advance.

Hi M - J,
This works,
pour pure orange juice ( NOT squash)
down the plug holes after you have drained the tank
and just leave it there
next time out in the van just use the system as you would normally do
drain again as you usually do, and that's all there is to it,
the citric content of the juice destroys the odour causing bacteria
dependant on your usage of the van, you may need to repeat 2-3 times a year
harmless , safe and effective, just try it and see for yourself,

 

[Norma Lake]

My grey waste tank has suddenly developed a stink and needs a good clean, I’ve previously used elsan tank freshener but assume all that has done is masked the smell rather than cure the problem.

I was thinking of buying the fenwicks grey tank cleaner but having read about so many cheap alternatives I am here to ask which actually work.

cheap cola?

caustic soda?

bio washing liquid?

I would like a one time solution that I can do a couple of times a year rather than something I need to add regularly.

Thanks in advance.

I use Milton baby fluid. Does a great job

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[L' Hobo]

I have never had a problem with smell, POSSIBLY because I always take my waste water home with me and the soapy water splashes around the tank (think washing machine) on the return home miles before I dispose of it when I get home.

I have seen and followed MANY motorhomes who leave their waste water taps open while leaving sites and driving along the road.
(This is VERY dangerous to motorbike riders and it's only luck that no-one hasn't yet been charged with manslaughter!)
This practice allows the waste water to dissipate quickly and the residue sludge, fat, soap and cooking bits, left to ferment in the warm/wet atmosphere of the tank well loved by all fungus.

Why not empty your waste water on site where there is ample water to flush through by leaving a couple of taps open and then top-up the clean water tank??

 

[L' Hobo]

I have never had a problem with smell, POSSIBLY because I always take my waste water home with me and the soapy water splashes around the tank (think washing machine) on the return home miles before I dispose of it when I get home.

I have seen and followed MANY motorhomes who leave their waste water taps open while leaving sites and driving along the road.
(This is VERY dangerous to motorbike riders and it's only luck that no-one hasn't yet been charged with manslaughter!)
This practice allows the waste water to dissipate quickly and the residue sludge, fat, soap and cooking bits, left to ferment in the warm/wet atmosphere of the tank well loved by all fungus.

Why not empty your waste water on site where there is ample water to flush through by leaving a couple of taps open and then top-up the clean water tank??

That's SINK taps.

 

[M-J]

All done with the 80p soda crystals from Tesco, smell gone but will check again tomorrow.

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[Simon Meadwell]

In Spain now tank stinks Drained on site yesterday put two washing tabs broken up down plug holes. Put in 30 Ltrs of water drove to next stop drained off smell gone easy.

 

[The Old Man]

This may be a coincidence but I’ve just cleaned my grey tank with Fenwicks. The tank now has a leak.

I tried taking a photo from underneath. There seems to be a big blob of some kind of rubber sealant near to the waste pipe. Any idea what this might be?

View attachment 528028

I've just had my van on the lift to search for the source of a small leak.

The bottom of the tank was similarly adorned and I suspected that it was the site of a previous repair!

But I then noticed that it surrounded the drain pipe and assumed that it was a cheap way of 'sealing' the waste pipe to the tank?

BTW My leak was from the bung not sealing in the drain pipe.

 

[G-RMPS]

I looked at the problem when it was on a ramp for the MoT last week. It’s where an overflow pipe exits the waste tank. I asked the mechanic to squirt some sealant around the pipe. Hopefully that’s another problem sorted. No issues with the MoT so I was happy to spend £54.

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[tonyidle]

(This is VERY dangerous to motorbike riders and it's only luck that no-one hasn't yet been charged with manslaughter!)

That's a bit dramatic! Just about the last thing that would worry me on a motorcycle is a patch of grey waste water. I'm too busy trying to spot spilt Diesel to worry about much else.

 

[L' Hobo]

That's a bit dramatic! Just about the last thing that would worry me on a motorcycle is a patch of grey waste water. I'm too busy trying to spot spilt Diesel to worry about much else.

Double Post, Sorry!

 

[L' Hobo]

That's a bit dramatic! Just about the last thing that would worry me on a motorcycle is a patch of grey waste water. I'm too busy trying to spot spilt Diesel to worry about much else.

Surely, adding SOAPY water on top of Diesel makes it twice as slippery?

ORDINARY rain water is bad enough, especially onto hot tarmac. (at least it was last time I rode my old 650 Thunderbird, and Touring Car Racing Drivers seem to agree and change their tyres)

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[tonyidle]

Surely, adding SOAPY water on top of Diesel makes it twice as slippery?

Doesn't matter once you're on you're ar*e . You might like this:

 

[Gaston aires]

Bleach?

Cheers James

Do not use bleach unless you want your tank to go brittle and break.
Ive said this many times on the forum. Don’t use bleach based products on plastic fittings but does anyone listen ?
Phil

 

[L' Hobo]

Doesn't matter once you're on you're ar*e . You might like this:

and that was on a racetrack with no heavy truck coming in the opposite direction to run you over, I rest my case!

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[bigalw35]

Slight change of subject what pipe do you carry and how do you connect to the waste on the tank?

Our moho is a Hymer b680, and the waste pipe is 40mm so I got the adaptors to convert to 32mm and brought 10 mtrs of fish pond hose/pipe works well. I got the adapters from a local plumbing shop

 

[tonyidle]

and that was on a racetrack with no heavy truck coming in the opposite direction to run you over, I rest my case!

It bore little relationship to our discussion - I just thought that you might be as impressed with his immense skill as I was. 200bhp on slicks!

 

[dunnah01]

I dropped our grey tank a few weeks ago and I doubt even kryptonite would have shifted the sludge that I jet-washed and scrubbed out. We're moderately meticulous about what stuff is allowed down there but you wouldn't know it. Hard scaly stuff mixed with gooey stuff - not very smelly and strangely therapeutic removing it.

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[M-J]

Luckily this thread is about the smell coming from a grey waste tank and not about the effects grey waste may have on a motorbike when emptied on a public road (or racetrack apparently)

I for one have never emptied my tank on a public road but if I did you would have smelled it in time to avoid on your motorbike until a few days ago. Not much hope for you now the smell has gone.

 

[RandallC]

My grey waste tank has suddenly developed a stink and needs a good clean, I’ve previously used elsan tank freshener but assume all that has done is masked the smell rather than cure the problem.

I was thinking of buying the fenwicks grey tank cleaner but having read about so many cheap alternatives I am here to ask which actually work.

cheap cola?

caustic soda?

bio washing liquid?

I would like a one time solution that I can do a couple of times a year rather than something I need to add regularly.

Thanks in advance.

Haven't read previous posts, Cheapo solution is Tesco cheap bleach (5l) Good glug down each drain, before and after trip. No probs.

 

[M-J]

Haven't read previous posts, Cheapo solution is Tesco cheap bleach (5l) Good glug down each drain, before and after trip. No probs.

I’m not sure bleach is a wise option based on previous posts.

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