Sewage smell 342

NoPatients

I have a 342 FV 2005 boat.  Horrible smell as I enter the cabin.  The head does not smell.  I have flushed and re-flushed the tank many times to no avail. Was told the elimination hose from the bowl to the tank should be replaced.  I was wondering if others have had a similar problem and if they were able to replace the hose by connecting a new one to it and pulling it through?  Concerned if the existing hose is tied down or has wires zip tied to it.  Last thing I want is to cause more damage by pulling hose.

JC290

Last one I did it was laying there just clamped on both ends. Pulled old one out and fished new one in. That was on a 242 one on my 290 has no ties or anything hold it as far as I can see. 

NoPatients

Thank you for your input.  Did you have to remove the bowl?

raybo3

That smell could be a lot of things. You said it does not smell in the head. The smell could be stagnant water in the A/C pan. Could be stagnant water from the anchor rode storage compartment. Best bet is to try and isolate where its coming from before changing things you might not have to change. 

Michael T

I just had the same problem. My smell seemed to be coming from the engine compartment and worked its way into the cabin. I have a Big Orange filter so no smell outside the boat. It seemed to me that the smell was strongest in the engine compartment. BTW I don't want methane gas in my engine compartment!!!!! I replaced the waste tank safety valve (which should not have to have been done after only two years since installation) and it STILL smelled. I disconnected the waste tank vent hose and blew some compressed air through it. The Admiral said the biggest spider she had ever seen blew out of the vent and out onto the water.

bella-vita

I would check connection on vent line at waste tank u have to get inside storage under port seating to get at it the wall is open at top

NoPatients

Thank you all for the suggestions.  I looked at the elimination hose connecting the bowl to the tank and it appears to have moderate grime discoloration growing on the outside of it.  No odor is coming from the waste tank or the port compartment near the tank.  When standing still, the smell dissipates but returns when underway.  I think the movement kicks things around.  

Black_Diamond

Check the forward bilge under the aft cabin mattress. 

NoPatients

Bella-Vita - thanks for the suggestion.  I think you may be right.  Just ordered the Big Orange Filter to add to the vent.  

Hamdog

Could also be the Joker Valve in the head. I have the same boat and that is what was causing my sewage smell inside the cabin. $10 dollar fix but can be a little messy installing. Does

Hamdog

Does your toilet bubble after you flush?

raybo3

He said it does not smell in the head. 

Hamdog

It did not smell in the head on mine either. You smelled it when you opened the door but could not really pinpoint where it was coming from. You did not smell it when you flushed the toilet either. I just know the new joker valve fixed my issue. Being a cheap fix, just thought it might be worth the effort to try if, in fact, the toilet is burping air when flushed. Means he needs a new one anyway and might solve his problem.

NoPatients

It does not burp when flushed but I did notice if water is left in the bowl, after some time, it gets sucked into the tank.  Would that be consistent with the joker valve having some issue?

Handymans342

My boat does that because I dont have the U bend installed in the discharge line to the tank. 

Black_Diamond

Another thing to check is the vent line connection to the the waste tank fitting.  My 342 had the tube diameter larger than the vent connection at the tank and they just tried to squash it in place with the worm clamp to make it work: FAIL.  I ended up putting the correct size tube onto the tank fitting and then a barbed adapter to connect to the tube size for the vent line going to the Big Orange (same dia as the thru hull fitting).  I believe it was 5/8".  Between that and the Big Orange, no more smell, ever.

Stodge

BD, is the vent line reachable through the access plate in the floor of the port side storage area?  I think I may have a similar issue.  

Black_Diamond

yup. Should be accessable thru the deck plate. At worse over the top of the tub once you crawl in.