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Old 12-05-2010, 03:27 PM   #1
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2009 27' FB International
Rio Medina , Texas
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CO Alarm

Had to leave camp early because of this problem. I have a 2009 International...starting last night, we noticed that each time we turned on the water heater, there was a smell (gas, flumes) in the bathroom...some time afterwards, the CO alarm would sound. Also, when the furance was running, only cold air was coming from the vent in the bathroom...checked the system outside, everything appeared to be ok...did notice that the flame to the waterheater was blue...does that sound right?

We decided it was not a safe situaiton, turned everything off and headed home.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Jack
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Old 12-05-2010, 06:41 PM   #2
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It sounds like your flue is obstructed, possibly thanks to the hard work of a mud dauber, paper wasp or similar. This is a hazard, but it's easy to resolve.

Check and clear your flue and test operation again.
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Old 12-05-2010, 09:57 PM   #3
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The problems are separate.

The furnace ducts are not insulated and so the air will tend to cool considerably by the time it makes it to the bathroom and bedroom. This is normal though I've been thinking about trying to insulate the ducts to address it in my trailer.

As Dave says, probably some sort of obstruction in the flue, burner tube, or venturi for the water heater.
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Old 12-06-2010, 09:54 AM   #4
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Are you sure you have a CO alarm? Could it have been your propane gas detector?

Pat
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Old 12-06-2010, 03:52 PM   #5
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Fumes

Do you smell propane fumes (sometimes it smells like a skunk) or are you smelling exhaust fumes? They are very different odors. With the CO detector going off, I would say it is "exhaust" fumes; when the burner lights. For a very short time there is poor combustion or draft thru the flue do to it being relatively cold. If it does not persist, I'd guess it is exhaust gases. When you run your furnace, stick your nose up next to the exhaust; that smell is flue gas not propane.
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Old 12-09-2010, 07:31 AM   #6
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2009 27' FB International
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Park
It sounds like your flue is obstructed, possibly thanks to the hard work of a mud dauber, paper wasp or similar. This is a hazard, but it's easy to resolve.

Check and clear your flue and test operation again.
Will check...Thanks
Jack
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Old 12-09-2010, 07:31 AM   #7
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2009 27' FB International
Rio Medina , Texas
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jammer
The problems are separate.

The furnace ducts are not insulated and so the air will tend to cool considerably by the time it makes it to the bathroom and bedroom. This is normal though I've been thinking about trying to insulate the ducts to address it in my trailer.

As Dave says, probably some sort of obstruction in the flue, burner tube, or venturi for the water heater.
Thanks for your help...Jack
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Old 12-09-2010, 07:32 AM   #8
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2009 27' FB International
Rio Medina , Texas
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pmclemore
Are you sure you have a CO alarm? Could it have been your propane gas detector?

Pat
It is...thanks for your interest
Jack
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Old 12-09-2010, 07:36 AM   #9
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2009 27' FB International
Rio Medina , Texas
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TG Twinkie
Do you smell propane fumes (sometimes it smells like a skunk) or are you smelling exhaust fumes? They are very different odors. With the CO detector going off, I would say it is "exhaust" fumes; when the burner lights. For a very short time there is poor combustion or draft thru the flue do to it being relatively cold. If it does not persist, I'd guess it is exhaust gases. When you run your furnace, stick your nose up next to the exhaust; that smell is flue gas not propane.
No...I really meant "flumes" (smile)...thanks for your help...
Jack
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