|
|
06-09-2011, 07:33 PM
|
#1
|
2 Rivet Member
2010 28' International
Somewhere
, Mostly California
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 59
|
propane gas leak (rotten eggs) 2010 International stench
Hi All
Here is something I could use your help with...
The 2010 International Serenity we brought home has had this awful smell for some time, which I attributed to just the new fabrics and materials - eau de new RV. But it's not going away, and dissipates to slightly less stinky if I open all the windows. Sort of smells like rotten eggs mixed with grilled hamburgers and lighter fluid. Yum So if it's a propane leak somewhere, do I have to haul this up somewhere to an Airstream dealership or will they send someone to me? Anyone have experience with this sort of thing? This baby is hopefully under warranty.
The valves on the propane tanks are closed, btw, and the fridge is on "off". We did use the heater on the way back here from Oregon, and don't know if somehow the pilot lights might be drawing propane? Or the propane leads are misconnected? I tested the propane leak detector and it appears to be sort of working - it sounds its red screeching squeal for about 5 seconds in test mode - not the 4 minutes the manual calls for.
Yikes! Thanks in advance for any tips.
Wendy
|
|
|
06-09-2011, 07:51 PM
|
#2
|
4 Rivet Member
2005 16' International CCD
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 356
|
Could it be the smell of using the furnace for the first time?
|
|
|
06-09-2011, 08:11 PM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
2008 27' Classic FB
Burkburnett
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 985
|
You say the smell is not going away... Be certain the valve on your propane tank is closed. Allow the unit to air out, then close it up again to verify the odor remains. If it does, it's likely not the propane as that doesn't linger long. I've entered some new RVs that have been sitting closed up in the sun and the fumes from the adhesives, fabrics, and paneling brought tears to my eyes. This goes away in time, faster if you can leave some vents open. Another (not so pleasant) possibility, a dead mouse? Your description could be something like that.
__________________
AIR 47751
|
|
|
06-09-2011, 08:23 PM
|
#4
|
2 Rivet Member
2010 28' International
Somewhere
, Mostly California
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 59
|
Thanks but haven't used the furnace since April but did use the air conditioner. As for turning off the propane and airing out the coach then closing the coach up again and checking for the smell, I did that too several times. The smell is strong with propane turned off. It's propane leaking from somewhere I am pretty sure. We smelled it at the dealership but it never goes away. My friend who works with propane smelled it right away and identified it. I just don't know what to do next. The propane tanks are definitely shut off and have been for 2 months. The coach has been parked in our back yard.
|
|
|
06-09-2011, 08:34 PM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
1983 34' Excella
1967 24' Tradewind
Little Rock
, Arkansas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,825
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by wendywoods
...
The propane tanks are definitely shut off and have been for 2 months.
...
|
Then where is the propane coming from? The tanks are the only source.
Why don't you completely disconnect the hoses from the tanks? Then you will have no propane connections at all, not even a shut off one.
If the smell is still there, you will know that it's not coming from the propane system.
__________________
Vaughan
|
|
|
06-09-2011, 08:55 PM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
2020 30' Classic
Derwood
, Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,515
|
I assume your internal gas alarm is not going off - and the tanks are turned off - think you have another issue here...
__________________
John "JFScheck" Scheck
2020 30’ Airstream Classic
**I Love U.S.A.**
|
|
|
06-09-2011, 08:59 PM
|
#7
|
2 Rivet Member
2010 28' International
Somewhere
, Mostly California
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 59
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by vswingfield
Then where is the propane coming from? The tanks are the only source.
Why don't you completely disconnect the hoses from the tanks? Then you will have no propane connections at all, not even a shut off one.
If the smell is still there, you will know that it's not coming from the propane system.
|
Excellent idea. Let me try that.
|
|
|
06-09-2011, 09:59 PM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
2017 30' Flying Cloud
2008 23' International
Keremeos
, British Columbia
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 845
|
The smell may come from the gray water holding tank through your p-traps or one way vent valve (our is behind the vanity sink). Put a little of the blue septic treatment down one of the drains and flush with water. Also make sure all of your p-traps have water in them, to stop the odors from backing up. We always do this and that fixed our odor problem.
I hope this works.
Paul
__________________
Lisa and Paul
2017 30' FC | 2002 Chinook Destiny | 2008 23' Int. CCD (written off: hail!)
|
|
|
06-09-2011, 10:35 PM
|
#9
|
3 Rivet Member
2009 23' FB Flying Cloud
The Woodlands
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 131
|
Check the vacuum breaker on the blackwater rinseout line. It's a transparent plastic looking valve thingy which is located under the kitchen sink in our 23' safari. Its part of the blackwater rinse system that is meant to prevent pressure backflow.
This appears to be a fairly weak part that is prone to failure. After our first long trip (2400 miles) ours parted at the sping loaded valve seat. I noticed it after there was a persistent trash / sewery smell everytime I opened the cabinets & drawers. Not a big deal to fix, I just removed it and set a temporary plug in the hose (oh yeah, also remembered not to use tank flush feature). If it is that, just call AS and send them a photo of the broken part. they replaced mine under warranty no prob.....
good luck
|
|
|
06-10-2011, 09:36 AM
|
#10
|
Rivet Master
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY
, / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
|
"rotten egg smell" is often used to describe overcharged batteries. you might want to do a sniff test in the battery compartment(s) to eliminate that from the possibilities.
__________________
Ricky
2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch
give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
|
|
|
06-10-2011, 10:03 AM
|
#11
|
Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by richinny
"rotten egg smell" is often used to describe overcharged batteries. you might want to do a sniff test in the battery compartment(s) to eliminate that from the possibilities.
|
that's my thought--defective battery(ies). Just be careful removing the connections when checking. If it is a battery, that smell could also indicate a buildup of explosive hydrogen gas. Remove the ground cable first, from the point on the frame, if possible, so you don't generate a spark.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
|
|
|
06-10-2011, 11:27 AM
|
#12
|
Wise Elder
2010 30' Classic
Vintage Kin Owner
South of the river
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,169
|
Dead mouse?
|
|
|
06-10-2011, 01:28 PM
|
#13
|
Rivet Master
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,017
|
I'll second (er, third) what Ricky and Terry suggest: An overcharged and boiling battery can result in that kind of smell. Happened to us. I thought for sure that it was a sewer leak at first, too.
Lynn
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
|
|
|
06-10-2011, 02:35 PM
|
#14
|
Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
|
Rotten eggs is the battery. Propane doesn't smell of eggs.
Considering the age of the trailer once you have replaced the battery or batteries have the convertor checked. A convertor running out of regulation will Cook the batteries and if it did it once it will do it again.
Wash down the front of the trailer good because the battery acid will have condensed on the skin as it boiled out of the battery box. The battery boxes should be sealed enough that no acid vapors got into the trailer
.
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
|
|
|
06-10-2011, 05:04 PM
|
#15
|
Rivet Master
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,017
|
Yes, and if it is the battery, once you get things fixed, add one of these:
They do work, as I can attest with the MG. (And now the Airstream as well.)
Lynn
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
|
|
|
06-15-2011, 11:17 AM
|
#16
|
3 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Indian Harbor Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 182
|
Please make sure your batteries in alarms are good. When we bought our AS (new) the batteries were bad...fyi.
|
|
|
06-15-2011, 11:22 AM
|
#17
|
3 Rivet Member
2012 30' International
Scott AFB
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 140
|
Had the same smell your describing. Batteries were bad. Good news is it's an easy fix with a new set of batteries.
|
|
|
06-15-2011, 03:00 PM
|
#18
|
Rivet Master
2008 27' Classic FB
Burkburnett
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 985
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by wendywoods
Hi All
Here is something I could use your help with...
Wendy
|
Please post back whatever you find. It may help someone else down the road with a similar problem.
__________________
AIR 47751
|
|
|
12-01-2011, 06:47 AM
|
#19
|
Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Lin
, Ne
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,430
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silver Goose
Please post back whatever you find. It may help someone else down the road with a similar problem.
|
Yes I agree.
|
|
|
12-01-2011, 10:07 AM
|
#20
|
2 Rivet Member
2010 28' International
Somewhere
, Mostly California
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 59
|
Well we never found the gas leak, if it was a gas leak. We checked everything you folks recommended. The persistent odor had a vaguely sour, gas smell, but it could have just been the vinyl and synthetics inside the new Airstream, giving off the gasses that they are made with. After a while I just stopped noticing it, so it probably was just me!
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|