Smell and taste

nje

May 17, 2015
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Hi,
We bought our new Hymer this summer. It is great, but there are two problems:

Smell: if we haven't used it for a few weeks, when we drive off there is a horrible smell after a few minutes like bad water. I am guessing this comes from residue in the grey water tank which has gone fusty while it has been sitting empty. Is there anything I can put in the waste water tank to stop a smell, or has anyone any other advice?

Taste: the tap water often tastes like it is full of chemicals. I have tried completely emptying it and refilling several times from several water sources. Any explanation or solution?

Thanks,

Nick
 

gjh

Jul 28, 2011
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There are a number of proprietary grey water tank treatments on the market which some people swear by though I haven't used any myself. Others advocate the use of cheap orange cordial (we did try that successfully during one trip when we were unable to clean the tank out until we got home) or cola (full fat not diet) which we haven't tried. Personally I clean the waste water system after every trip using Buster Plughole Sanitiser Foaming Granules. Preventing muck going into the tank in the first place is worth it. See my notes Here.

With our first van we suffered from off flavours in the water at one time and found that it seemed to be caused by cleaning too often and not flushing the system often enough. Nowadays I usually use some cleaning tablets in the system just after the habitation service and then keep the system flushed. We also use a filter jug. See notes Here.

Graham
 

Kate Taylor

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Jul 18, 2012
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Hi Nick,

It could be that you have a build-up of bacteria in the residual water in the tank. We had an older article about this, in which the writer recommended cleaning the tank with diluted Miltons sterilising fluid or proper motorhome water tank cleaners. Click here to read it.

There are more suggestions in this article as well – click here.

I love Graham's suggestions, too.

Good luck!
 
Jan 27, 2013
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Very little to add to Grahams reply, We also always travel with our waste plugs in situ and treat our waste pipes with whatever drain cleaner we have indoors.
We tend to keep our fresh tank fullish and then empty our tank just before setting off and replace with domestic water, theres lots of Chlorine in our supply so removing any residual bugs.
I would not recommend the Milton treatment, heavy doses of Chlorine will corrode the stainless steel boiler inside your water heater.
 
Dec 11, 2010
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If the pdi was not done thoroughly, its possible there are problems with your water system traceable back to the build. That means a return to the dealer. However, first of all read your manual on how to clean and manage your water system [Hymer manuals are good] and then read on below.

I assume you empty your waste tank each tie you return fro a trip away rather than leave the water in the tanks for days or weeks. Make sure your van is parked so all the water is drained out; our Hymer drains better on a slight slope but if the slope is the wrong way ... You can clean the tank with various solutions. I used Thetford tank cleaner once and it worked. Leaving the plugs in does not stop the problem, it simply reduces the smell and is something we do if we cannot empty smelly waste water when travelling.

We've used diluted Milton [tablets are easier] to clean the fresh water tank every year around about Easter. Don't spill neat Milton, especially on stainless steel, and follow the dilution instructions. Milton works but the taste sometimes lurks if not flushed through. For the last few years, we have used Puriclean tablets instead of Milton. Less risk of spillage and after taste and they work just as well.

I fill my fresh water tank either via a 25l fresh water container or via a food grade hose. Not everyone agrees about using food grade containers/hoses. I flush the container and hose through once a year.

We're on our second new Hymer in 10 years, having had motorhomes for over 20 years. We've always drank water from the fresh water tank without any problems. We've only had one smelly waste problem in all that time [on a Swift coachbuilt]. Get into an annual routine of cleansing, follow good practice in the manual - especially emptying tanks, and you should not have any problems.
 

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