Vent for IB black tank December 24, 2024, 05:13:20 pm Hello! I have the bubble coming up when I flush my toilet and then hear a gurgle afterwards. This usually means the tank is full but it is not. It is still making this noise and bubble when the tank is empty so I’m guessing the vent is clogged. Anyone know where the vent is located and a good way to unclog it? I have a ‘99 31ft IB
Re: Vent for IB black tank Reply #1 – December 24, 2024, 06:16:40 pm Welcome to the forum, your questions are welcome here.Your rig's black tank probably has a build-up under the toilet that needs flushing.A holding tank flushing tool, connected to a hose and plunged down the toilet should clear the blockage.Your black holding tank should be flushed with the tool regularly.Holding Tank Rinser with Valve | Camping WorldLarry 2 Likes
Re: Vent for IB black tank Reply #2 – December 24, 2024, 09:53:31 pm "Anyone know where the vent is located and a good way to unclog it?"The vent outlet is on the roof above the toilet area. It's about 3-4 inches in diameter and the cap is probably a 'slip-fit' that can be readily removed. A slender flexible 'plumber's snake' worked down the vent tube will most likely open the clog.
Re: Vent for IB black tank Reply #3 – December 25, 2024, 12:21:51 pm Thank you! I will try both of those!
Re: Vent for IB black tank Reply #4 – December 28, 2024, 07:30:26 pm Turns out the vent is not clogged. I ran water through the roof and it came out the dump hose into the drain. The tank is empty. The clog in the toilet is loose and free now. But when I turn on the water pump, water is now coming out of the top of the wheel well, outside drivers side rear and the pump continues to go. So I’m guessing from the pump connection to the toilet is loose or broken. Toilet still has the bubble and gurgle when flushed. How do I access the connection? I don’t see anything wrong from the access I have in the back left corner. Will I have to remove the toilet and the flooring? 31ft IB ‘99
Re: Vent for IB black tank Reply #5 – December 29, 2024, 04:25:00 am Hi Jo; your wallpaper looks really familiar, I have a '99 also. You have PEX A plumbing, and I had a hairline crack in a black plastic hand tightened (not too tight) fitting on my waterpump that resulted in a leak at my pump. I couldn't really see it unless it was under pressure and leaking. You may have a similar situation. The hose is still in good condition, the crimped 'bands' at elbows and Tee's seem good too. (the ones I could see.) There are hoses under the floor, and in at least one rig a previous owner (actually it may have been a factory oops!) had a screw into a hose that didn't leak into the floor until years later when the screw rusted out. My T/K plumbing isn't extensive and is pretty localized. I don't know the routing of pipes in your much larger rig. So I can't guess at what your leak situation is. You may have to gently remove some panels to find your leak. The toilet should be the same as mine, if it original. I did have a small leak at the base of the toilet pedestal. You would need to remove the outer shroud that covers it. Just one small Phillip head screw holds that cover on. Parts are available at Amazon for just about everything. If water is leaking near the wheel well, you should be able to see it with a good light. RonB 1 Likes
Toilet Vacuum Breaker '99 31ft IB Access Reply #6 – December 29, 2024, 04:13:35 pm Hi! I'm assessing an air flow issue with my black tank and just learned of something called a vacuum breaker. Seeing as my vent is clear/open and my tank is empty, I'd like to check the vacuum breaker. Anyone know where that would be located and how I can access it? I'm googling it but any tips are helpful. '99 31ft IB If you have any other advice or ideas of why my toilet would bubble, gurgle and clog while the tank is empty and has a cleared vent, I'm all ears.
Re: Toilet Vacuum Breaker '99 31ft IB Access Reply #7 – December 29, 2024, 07:34:13 pm The toilet's vacuum breaker has nothing to do with the holding tanks. The vacuum breaker is located past the toilet's water valve, on the back of the toilet. It acts as a one-way valve to prevent water from being siphoned from the toilet back into the freshwater supply. All types of toilets have some type of backflow device to prevent freshwater contamination. it's the law.Back to your holding tank. Do this. With the black tank fully drained and the water pump off and the pedal pushed, use a flashlight to look down the toilet. Can you see the bottom of the tank?Gurgling or bubbles when flushing is usually caused by a solid buildup directly under the toilet's downpipe. You can verify if you are seeing the tank's bottom by using a stick and tapping the plastic, it makes a distinctive noise. Larry 1 Likes
Re: Toilet Vacuum Breaker '99 31ft IB Access Reply #8 – December 29, 2024, 08:47:20 pm Thank you Larry, I can't see the bottom because the pipe angles to the left. It doesn't go straight down to the tank. But if a pyramid is the case, I may just drive her around a bit and maybe it will knock it over. I've been stationary for a little while.
Re: Toilet Vacuum Breaker '99 31ft IB Access Reply #9 – December 29, 2024, 09:48:54 pm Quote from: joandjaxx - December 29, 2024, 08:47:20 pm But if a pyramid is the case, I may just drive her around a bit and maybe it will knock it over. I've been stationary for a little while. You haven't left the black tank dump valve open (while hooked up to sewer), have you? 1 Likes
Re: Toilet Vacuum Breaker '99 31ft IB Access Reply #10 – December 30, 2024, 01:46:27 pm If that doesn't work, fill the tank with fresh water and add a packet of septic tank enzymes, then let the rig sit for a couple of weeks before dumping. This should help liquefy the solidsSeptic tank enzymes are available at your local hardware store.Our LD gets the enzyme treatment every summer when it is hot. it keeps the 22-year-old tanks, plumbing, and dump valves clean.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Toilet Vacuum Breaker '99 31ft IB Access Reply #11 – December 30, 2024, 01:53:01 pm Hi Jo; If you have been in really dry climates, and conserving water, #2 may not end up in the tank, and dry up in the pipe leading to the tank. (27' MidBath floorplans have that issue a lot) A small flexible plumbing 'snake', or 1/2" water hose, may help that situation. Just long enough to reach the tank would be sufficient. As Michelle asked, a residual clump of material can solidify right at where the toilet pipe enters the tank and impede rapid flow thereafter. Another problem I've heard about: My vent pipe for the black tank extends down into the tank about 2-3". When the tank is really full, it warns me by bubbling (gurgling) as air has a hard time getting out of the tank (up the vent) as more liquid tries to enter. Emptying the tank fixes that. I've heard that the vent pipe can fall down into the tank, by more than that 2", and be really near the bottom of the tank, or (resting on the bottom). The galvanized steel cap on the roof still looks normal, but the ABS pipe can't be seen. You would have to remove that cap from the roof to check that. Usually, knowing how Lazy Daze builds with a lot of sealant, that pipe isn't going anywhere. It would have to drop 10" or more, that would leave a gap near the roof inside the motorhome. Vapors would result inside. Find the location of that pipe by locating the vent on the roof. (There is another vent fixture for the gray tank.) Follow that to find where the black vent enters the top of the black tank. There is a rubber grommet in my '99. I suspect that after 24 years it might leak, so as not to trap air in the tank. It might be a pretty slow leak though. Others here have mentioned large (1-1/2") vacuum breakers inside, under bathroom sinks and other hidden locations. I had one in another brand of motorhome. I'm unaware of any of these in Lazy Dazes. I think these might be because of oddly shaped tanks, or very large 100 gallon plus tanks like in trailers. Other members here would know about the possibility of another vent location inside. [For others reading this, because of my floor plan, 23' T/K there was an odd extension to my black tank to allow the vent to be placed where the pipe could go up inside the corner molding just behind the driver door. In the cabover bed area, there is a removable cover to access that pipe, and it isn't going anywhere.] RonB 2 Likes
Re: Toilet Vacuum Breaker '99 31ft IB Access Reply #12 – December 30, 2024, 02:06:55 pm Quote from: Michelle C - December 29, 2024, 09:48:54 pmYou haven't left the black tank dump valve open (while hooked up to sewer), have you?No, I haven't
Re: Toilet Vacuum Breaker '99 31ft IB Access Reply #13 – December 30, 2024, 02:08:21 pm Quote from: Larry W - December 30, 2024, 01:46:27 pmIf that doesn't work, fill the tank with fresh water and add a packet of septic tank enzymes, then let the rig sit for a couple of weeks before dumping. This should help liquefy the solidsSeptic tank enzymes are available at your local hardware store.Our LD gets the enzyme treatment every summer when it is hot. it keeps the 22-year-old tanks, plumbing, and dump valves clean.Larry Thank you Larry, I live in my rig so that would make life pretty complicated. But I guess something I could try. I'd probably hire a Kleen Tank rep to come out first
Re: Toilet Vacuum Breaker '99 31ft IB Access Reply #14 – December 30, 2024, 02:52:29 pm "Find the location of that pipe by locating the vent on the roof. (There is another vent fixture for the gray tank.) Follow that to find where the black vent enters the top of the black tank."1st of all... I know of only one 'vent' that comes through the roof on a 30' model! It could have two sources AFAIK.2ndly... On the 30' models the vent pipe can be seen running vertically up/down the wall junction behind the kitchen sink. I would think it doubtful if it were to move either up nor down!
Re: Toilet Vacuum Breaker '99 31ft IB Access Reply #15 – December 30, 2024, 03:02:20 pm "...and add a packet of septic tank enzymes..."It doesn't have to complicate your life at all... just add the enzymes every time after you dump! Eventually those little bugs will eat themselves chock full leaving you with clean tank/s. 1 Likes
Re: Toilet Vacuum Breaker '99 31ft IB Access Reply #16 – December 30, 2024, 05:01:30 pm Hi Steve; With Lazy Daze those pipes shouldn't ever move. There are two pipes, one for each waste tank. One, the gray tank vent is visible in my kitchen, with wall paper. The other is the black tank vent, well hidden behind a panel, is accessible from the cabover bed. I used that to add the air horns (yellow hoses and valves) above the driver side roof. Drives the cats crazy if I use the horn. I can only imagine how loud it must be for them. RonB
Re: Toilet Vacuum Breaker '99 31ft IB Access Reply #17 – December 30, 2024, 06:00:04 pm Thanks everyone. Added some water and drove around. Didn’t help much. Ordered some Unique Clear It and will just make do until it arrives. I’ve been living in my rig for 3 years and never had a build up before. I use Happy Camper after every dump with water, use the internal tank sprayer at every dump and keep my tanks clean. I think I may have not closed it up completely after the last dump and it slowly leaked all the liquid out. Thought it must have been a different problem. But I guess it is a pyramid. I have a PEX pipe and am stationed at an RV park with a nice bathroom until the enzyme cleaner arrives in a few days. All set. 1 Likes
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