Switched to Pine Sol for holidng tank odors

M

MrsRobinson

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We had a holding tank smell issue for the first time this season. We religiously used Odorlos for many years with good success.

After trying everything we finally tried Pine Sol. I poured an entire bottle down the toilet (I think 32 ounces). I waited a week and then did a pump out. No more smells!

So, now after every pump out we pour a bottle of Pine Sol down the toilet and it's working like a charm.

Just passing this along.
 
It seems like I read somewhere that Pine Sol should not be poured directly into the ships head. I don't remember is this was directed at electric heads or heads in general but it might be worht a little research.
 
What changed that caused the orlorlos to no longer work? Best guess is that the pine sol is killing ALL the bacteria and sooner or later you will have an even bigger smell. It will be interesting to see though!
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ghost

What changed that caused the orlorlos to no longer work? Best guess is that the pine sol is killing ALL the bacteria and sooner or later you will have an even bigger smell. It will be interesting to see though!

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Most likely the tank vent or filter is clogged –orlorlos, like KO needs air to do its thing!
 
Our holding tank is 40 gallons I think. We have to pump it once a month if on the boat 3-4 weekends out of the month. Our boat seems to be the "hang out' area so it gets use from neighboring boaters too.

The in line air filter was the original I think (had "1994" written on it) so I replaced it first. No better so we tried the Pine Sol, 100% better. The Pine Sol recommendation came from a local service shop.
 
I remember reading something that things such as pine cleaners will eat up rubber gaskets in the head.
 
No no no no no no no no!!!!!! Get that Pine Sol out of there!!! ASAP! or sooner if possible! The previous owner of our boat used Pine Sol in the vacuflush and we ended up having to replace almost everything - holding tank, hoses, vacuum tank (but that was also cracked) - rebuilt the pump - it was ugly. And smelly! Planeguy is right - Pine Sol eats the rubber components.

Nancy
 
Pine Sol will attack the rubber seals and gaskets in the head. It is one of the things Raritan has on its "No-No List."
 
quote:
Originally posted by MrsRobinson

Our holding tank is 40 gallons I think....

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Water tank = 40 gallons.

Holding tank = 28 gallons.

Just good to know when you go to pump out....even better to know when you go to get a glass of water!!!
 
Y'know what they say, drink a beer, pee a gallon...! [:-bigeyes][:-bigeyes]
 
Pine-sol is pretty nasty stuff; but I'd think if you flushed it THROUGH the head with plenty of water it wouldn't do any harm. Letting it sit in the head would probably cause damage.

Curious... has anyone tried baking soda???? It's good for neutralizing odors, but is otherwise non-corrosive. Might be a good option.
 
That is where I read no pine cleaners........on the label that came with my new Sea Era!
 
Greg,

now working on our 5th SR...with freshwater flush there should be no odor...like above, my guess is replace filetr (if it becomes plugged and you pump out, the tank will collapse) Make sure you check the vent hose and thru hull as well... you could be getting some of the lines to the end of their life span, but my best guess is that you have a leak somewhere... check all your access areas, and use your sniffer...

Let us know how it comes out...okay poor choice of words...

cheers!
 
The smell has been gone since 1) we replaced the inline filter and 2) poured a bottle of pine sol down the the toilet, waited a few days and did a pump out.

Based on the feedback here we plan to do a pump out this weekend and go back to Odorlos.
 
quote:
Originally posted by MrsRobinson

The smell has been gone since 1) we replaced the inline filter and 2) poured a bottle of pine sol down the the toilet, waited a few days and did a pump out.

Based on the feedback here we plan to do a pump out this weekend and go back to Odorlos.

Click to expand...
Where are you pumping. The Anchor Point pump has never been right. The one at City Dock in Hopewell is gone. Does Billy's work?
 
After you pump out I would suggest filling the system with fresh water and pumping that out.
 
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