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Old 03-17-2009, 09:57 PM   #1
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Unhappy Rotten egg smell

The last time we were out in the Bambi, we noticed a slight rotten egg smell whenever we turned on the hot water faucet. I'm assuming this is a sign that I need to drain the hot water tank and cycle a tank or two of vinegar through it to clean and deodorize the tank. Any tips on whether this will treat the odor problem? If so, what is the simplest way to use the vinegar (or any commercial alternative) method?
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Old 03-17-2009, 10:36 PM   #2
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Check your owners manual for what Airstream recommends to sanitize your tank. They should have instructions there too. Diluted bleach is the generally accepted method and i usually do mine about once a year. Here is a link to some information...

How to Sanitize Your RV Fresh Water System
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Old 03-17-2009, 11:11 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by ESCAPE POD View Post
The last time we were out in the Bambi, we noticed a slight rotten egg smell whenever we turned on the hot water faucet. I'm assuming this is a sign that I need to drain the hot water tank and cycle a tank or two of vinegar through it to clean and deodorize the tank. Any tips on whether this will treat the odor problem? If so, what is the simplest way to use the vinegar (or any commercial alternative) method?
You may have an LPG leak.

Andy
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Old 03-18-2009, 05:02 AM   #4
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I'm with Andy, please check for a LPG leak. Do you have a LPG detector?jim
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Old 03-18-2009, 05:12 AM   #5
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Definitely check for propane leaks.

Could it have been the water supply at the last campground you were at had an elevated sulfur content?
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Old 03-18-2009, 05:46 AM   #6
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It may be the water source that you were tied into - well water sometimes has sulfur in it in enough concentration to cause that odor - heat makes it worse.
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Old 03-18-2009, 07:24 AM   #7
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What came first


Have you checked your egg's?

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Old 03-18-2009, 07:46 AM   #8
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If you didn`t drain your water heater,the anode gives you that nasty smell,just run the hot water for about 30 min. and the smell should go away.We go thru that alot with snow birds who are only down a few months of the year,and the water in the heater absorbs the smell from the anode.Do not remove the anode, it is there to protect the tank. Dave
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Old 03-22-2009, 07:10 PM   #9
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if i ever smell rotten eggs i always check the water level in my batteries.
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Old 03-23-2009, 07:48 AM   #10
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Rotten Egg

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Originally Posted by ESCAPE POD View Post
The last time we were out in the Bambi, we noticed a slight rotten egg smell whenever we turned on the hot water faucet. I'm assuming this is a sign that I need to drain the hot water tank and cycle a tank or two of vinegar through it to clean and deodorize the tank. Any tips on whether this will treat the odor problem? If so, what is the simplest way to use the vinegar (or any commercial alternative) method?
OK,don`t leave us hanging,did you find out what it was ? Dave
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Old 03-23-2009, 08:05 AM   #11
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Yes, I'd like to see what you found out, too. Basically, folks have recommended looking at 1. propane leak, 2. battery acid (boiled battery?), and 3. heavily mineralized water. (I listed in this order in terms of their immediate danger to person and property.)

It takes some sniffing to distinguish, but when we had a battery acid problem, the smell, while similar to rotten eggs, ultimately indicated (incorrectly) a leak in black-tank fumes containment.


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Old 03-23-2009, 08:07 AM   #12
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Hot water stink

OK...check your propane...and do it regularly.
But, if you want to get rid of the Sulfer smell that is present when you use the hot water....its the anode in the tank. I just went thru that and at the Texas Vintage Rally I had numerous folks look at the problem with me. Thanks to Pat McD. I found out it was the anode in the tank...problem solved. Cleaning, sanitizing, will be a temp. solution.
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Old 03-23-2009, 09:32 PM   #13
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Problem under control

Thanks everyone for your concern and helpful advice. You too, 2air! The problem was pretty clearly the hot water tank: cupping your hand under the hot water faucet would yield a sulphur-scented water sample. I drained the tank this past weekend, flushed it using the city water inlet (to save wear-and-tear on the pump). Also added some chlorine dioxide product to the fresh water tank. So far, no repeat of the stink! If it returns, I'll let you know.

-Jerry
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Old 03-24-2009, 06:38 AM   #14
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It's a bit of a hassle, but if I am not going to use the trailer for a few weekends, I drain the water heater, and the water lines. I never have a problem with odor. Before use, I re-sanitize the water system.
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Old 03-24-2009, 06:46 AM   #15
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Question Possible 2air sighting???

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Thanks everyone for your concern and helpful advice. You too, 2air!
Jerry,
Do you mean to tell me you have had a confirmed sighting of 2air??? Folks have been looking for him for quite a while.

If this is in fact true, you may want to post your sighting here...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f48/...you-46573.html
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Old 03-24-2009, 10:41 AM   #16
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Jerry,
Do you mean to tell me you have had a confirmed sighting of 2air??? Folks have been looking for him for quite a while.

If this is in fact true, you may want to post your sighting here...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f48/...you-46573.html
My "sighting" was in the form of a private message advising how to solve the "stinky tank" problem. I've also encouraged 2air to jump back into the pool, but I respect his right to "dial it back". I was just glad to hear from him.

-Jerry
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Old 03-24-2009, 11:42 AM   #17
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My "sighting" was in the form of a private message advising how to solve the "stinky tank" problem. I've also encouraged 2air to jump back into the pool, but I respect his right to "dial it back". I was just glad to hear from him.

-Jerry
Jerry,
It is just enough to see that he is still counted amongst the living.
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Old 03-24-2009, 08:20 PM   #18
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Jerry,
Do you mean to tell me you have had a confirmed sighting of 2air??? Folks have been looking for him for quite a while.

If this is in fact true, you may want to post your sighting here...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f48/...you-46573.html
I'm sure 2air is lurking at the forums under assumed identities. I wouldn't doubt that he is out there camping under an assumed SOB.
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Old 05-18-2009, 07:18 AM   #19
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OK...check your propane...and do it regularly.
But, if you want to get rid of the Sulfer smell that is present when you use the hot water....its the anode in the tank. I just went thru that and at the Texas Vintage Rally I had numerous folks look at the problem with me. Thanks to Pat McD. I found out it was the anode in the tank...problem solved. Cleaning, sanitizing, will be a temp. solution.
OK - We just went out this weekend in our '38 Sovereign and had the same strong "rotten egg smell" from our hot water. I drained the water tank last night and did not find an anode - our Atwood is propane only. Do the propane only tanks not have an anode? We'll try the cleansing part - but any advice on where/if our water heater has an anode would be appreciated. From the looks of the unit, it appears to be original. Thanks! John
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Old 05-18-2009, 07:24 AM   #20
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Alsupp,
Both our Airstreams have Atwoods, the '87 has a prpane only and hte '06 has an electric / propane unit an neither of them have an annode rod. So yours, most likely, will not have one either.
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