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10-27-2013, 05:12 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
1991 34' Limited
Tyler
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 205
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Oil lines in my AS?
I bought a used air compressor to blow the water lines in my AS. I noticed, at the end of the process, a slight odor of oil in the compressed air coming out of a faucet. I THEN realized my oil- compressor was the source. It did not cross my mind that oil would wind up in the compressed air! Has anyone done the same thing - what were the results? I was on street water so the tank and pump were not affected. I'm hoping this episode will not result in major recovery operations.
__________________
Air Cid
2000 F250SD Crew Cab 4x4 V10
Reese WD Hitch
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10-27-2013, 05:49 PM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
1975 31' Sovereign
Palomar Mountain
, California
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 355
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Traditional compressors have oil in their crankcase just like engines - for the same reasons. That's why you can't use a regular compressor to fill diving air tanks - or breathing tanks for fire fighters, etc.
A lot of new (cheap) compressors are 'oil-less'. These use tuflon cylinder liners and would work better for your airlines. Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and look for compressors without oil fill and drain holes.
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10-27-2013, 06:11 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2009 27' FB Flying Cloud
1982 31' International
1991 35' Airstream 350
Jay
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,706
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If your water lines have been contaminated with oil, I would guess a tedious process of flushing the pipes is in your future.
As RV antifreeze is alcohol based, I guess I would start with it. It might mix with the oil residue and allow one to flush it clean with copious amount of water.
If not, one might gave to use a detergent of some sort.
An oil less compressor or good quality separator is a must.
Regards,
JD
__________________
Jeff & Cindy
'09 27FB Flying Cloud;'82 31 International
'91 350 LE MH; '21 Interstate 24GT
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10-27-2013, 06:45 PM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member
1991 34' Limited
Tyler
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 205
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdalrymple
If your water lines have been contaminated with oil, I would guess a tedious process of flushing the pipes is in your future.
As RV antifreeze is alcohol based, I guess I would start with it. It might mix with the oil residue and allow one to flush it clean with copious amount of water.
JD
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RV antifreeze flush is a good idea, I'll try it this weekend. I'll taste the water 1st to get an idea of how much oil may have stayed in the lines. I hope the anti freeze works - detergent may be hard to wash out too.
__________________
Air Cid
2000 F250SD Crew Cab 4x4 V10
Reese WD Hitch
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10-27-2013, 08:34 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2019 27' Flying Cloud
Albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,917
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I would use cheap vodka. (See my thread on the topic)
I hate the taste of RV antifreeze, and who can hate the taste of cheap vodka?
Make sure the hot water heater is by-passed and install an anti-freeze intake at the water pump, and it takes less than two gallons to clean the lines with clean tasting vodka. Oh yeah!
P.S. Don't be putting soap in your fresh-water lines.
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Ken L 2019 Flying Cloud 27FB
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 6.2L Max Tow Four Corners Unit WBCCI #5783
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10-28-2013, 05:24 AM
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#6
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tvanwave
RV antifreeze flush is a good idea, I'll try it this weekend. I'll taste the water 1st to get an idea of how much oil may have stayed in the lines. I hope the anti freeze works - detergent may be hard to wash out too.
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Considering that oil is a carcinogen, maybe tasting the water to check for the presence of oil isn't such a good idea.
The problem with oil in your fresh water is Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the oil. The best way to remove it is steam-cleaning, but that might be difficult in an Airstream's water supply system. Instead, flush your freshwater system with HOT water, from inlet to faucet, then go through another winterizing procedure to get rid of the hot water.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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10-28-2013, 07:47 AM
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#7
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3 Rivet Member
1991 34' Limited
Tyler
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 205
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Protagonist
Considering that oil is a carcinogen, maybe tasting the water to check for the presence of oil isn't such a good idea.
The problem with oil in your fresh water is Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the oil. The best way to remove it is steam-cleaning, but that might be difficult in an Airstream's water supply system. Instead, flush your freshwater system with HOT water, from inlet to faucet, then go through another winterizing procedure to get rid of the hot water.
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Another good point - thanks! I could use hot vodka if I Alumaholic is right
__________________
Air Cid
2000 F250SD Crew Cab 4x4 V10
Reese WD Hitch
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