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Old 02-27-2018, 04:27 AM   #1
MG72B
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Bad odor in air conditioner

I have a 2016 Cugar Xlite and sometimes when I start the air conditioner i get a bad order. It smells like sewer. I believe it comes from the black Tank Vent pipe. Does anyone else have this problem
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Old 02-27-2018, 05:40 AM   #2
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AC doesn’t draw in outside air, cools interior air. It may just need a good cleaning.
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Old 02-27-2018, 06:05 AM   #3
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Above post is correct. Check for mold or dead critter in ductwork and make sure the drain for the condensate coil is open and not holding water.
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Old 02-27-2018, 06:09 AM   #4
MG72B
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Thanks I'll check it out today
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Old 02-27-2018, 06:10 AM   #5
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You may have mold or "goop" in the evaporator coils, in the air box or in the ducting that runs in your ceiling. The A/C does not draw in outside air like your vents draw, so it's not likely that you would have black tank vent odors drafting into the air chamber of your A/C. As stated above, a good inspection and a good cleaning with Clorox and Dawn inside the air box and be sure to check the ducting for mold as well.
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Old 02-27-2018, 10:57 AM   #6
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Agree with this. There is a spray you can get (it's slightly acidic) to clean the coils. Remove cover, do inside and outside, flush with water...
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Old 02-27-2018, 08:15 PM   #7
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I used this foam evaporator coil cleaner from Amazon on mine and it works well for me.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Old 03-01-2018, 10:58 AM   #8
MG72B
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Thanks for the replies. Here's what we did.
Cleaned all vents and air conditioner and cleaned coils.
Check on roof to make sure there was nothing there.
My DW noticed that the only time it happens is when she washes the dishes.
So I guess the fumes from the sink would go into the air conditioner and when it would start up it would smell like it came from the air condtioner.
I changed the filter and flushed out both hot and cold lines,
Today she turned on the hot water in the kitchen sink and it's back. Bad order.
We don't smell it with the cold water.
Any thoughts?
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Old 03-01-2018, 12:26 PM   #9
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Is your water heater running on propane or Electric? Is it possible that you are getting waterheater exhaust coming into trailer (only if its propane run).
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Old 03-01-2018, 12:47 PM   #10
flybouy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MG72B View Post
Thanks for the replies. Here's what we did.
Cleaned all vents and air conditioner and cleaned coils.
Check on roof to make sure there was nothing there.
My DW noticed that the only time it happens is when she washes the dishes.
So I guess the fumes from the sink would go into the air conditioner and when it would start up it would smell like it came from the air condtioner.
I changed the filter and flushed out both hot and cold lines,
Today she turned on the hot water in the kitchen sink and it's back. Bad order.
We don't smell it with the cold water.
Any thoughts?
It's very common to get a sulfur smell (rotten eggs odor) from the hot water line. This is typically caused when the water heater has water standing in it over an extended period of time. Hot weather can accelerate the process. You need to drain the water heater heater and flush it out well. Search the forum for water heater drain and you will find many posts on where to locate and how to drain and flush it.
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Old 03-01-2018, 02:28 PM   #11
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I put in a new water heater in my home a few years ago. And sure enough, I got the rotten egg smell in my domestic hot water in the house in days. It was the anode rod. I had to swap out the anode for another anode of another material. Problem solved. I want to say I had an aluminum anode, and I replace with a magnesium anode. Not sure if RV water heaters also have anode rods of differing materials. Local water chemistry will cause problems with the aluminum rods.

Hope this helps,
Mike
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Old 03-01-2018, 02:34 PM   #12
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If the hot water has a bad odor, as stated above, it's probably the water heater. I'm not sure if you have an Atwood or a Suburban water heater, but both have the potential for sulfur smells to occur.

This is from the Atwood owner's manual:
FLUSHING TO REMOVE UNPLEASANT ODOR
A rotten egg odor (hydrogen sulfide) may be produced when the
electro galvanic action of the cladding material releases hydrogen from
the water. If sulfur is present in the water supply the two will combine
and produce an unpleasant smell.
1. Turn off main water supply. Drain the water heater tank and
reinstall drain plug. Remove the pressure-temperature relief valve.
Mix solution of 4 parts white vinegar to two parts water. (For a 10
gallon tank, use 6 gallons vinegar to 3 gallons water). With a
funnel, carefully pour solution into tank.
2. Cycle water heater with the above solution, letting it run under
normal operation 4-5 times.
3. Remove the drain plug and thoroughly drain all water from the
tank. Flush the water heater to remove any sediment. you may
flush the tank with air pressure or fresh water. Pressure may be
applied through either the inlet or outlet valve on the rear of the
tank or through the pressure-temperature relief valve coupling
located on the front of the unit.
TO FLUSH TANK WITH AIR PRESSURE:
Insert your air pressure through the pressure-temperature relief valve
coupling. With the drain valve open, the air pressure will force the
remaining water out of the unit.
TO FLUSH TANK WITH WATER PRESSURE:
Fresh water should be pumped into the tank with either the onboard
pump or external water pressure. Continue this flushing process for
approximately five minutes, allowing the fresh water to agitate the
stagnant water on the bottom of the tank and forcing the deposits
through the drain opening.
4. Replace drain plug and pressure-temperature relief valve.
5. Refill tank with fresh water that contains no sulphur.
The Atwood water heater is designed for use in a recreation vehicle. If
you use your vehicle frequently or for long periods of time, flushing the
water heater several times a year will prolong the life of the storage
tank.


This is from the Suburban Owner's Manual:

ODOR FROM HOT WATER SYSTEM
Odor from the hot water system is not a service problem and many water
supplies contain sufficient amounts of sulphur to produce an odor. The odor is
similar to rotten eggs and is often referred to as "sulphur water". It is not
harmful - only unpleasant to smell. Sulphur water can be caused by a chemical
action or by bacteria. The solution to eliminate is chlorination of the water
system. Add about six (6) ounces of chlorinated common household liquid
bleach to each 10 gallons in the water tank. Then run the chlorinated water
throughout the system, opening each faucet one at a time until you smell the chlorine. Let the RV sit for a few days and the chlorine should take care of the problem. Then you will need to take care of the chlorine. Remove the chlorine by flushing the system with fresh water. This may take several attempts. You may consider adding a filtering system that removes chlorine and prevents sulphur water. If the sulphur or rotten egg smell continues, flush the system once again as described above and replace anode rod as necessary.
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Old 03-15-2018, 10:51 AM   #13
MG72B
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Ok it has been a couple of weeks since I first post my question. I removed the drain plug in the h/w heater. I left the plug out and ran fresh water through the tank for about 5 minutes. Took a water hose with a high pressure nossel and sprayed in in the drain for about 1 minute
I replace the anode rod with a new one and so far knock on wood, no smell for about week. If it comes back again I will try the bleach method.
Thank you everyone for your help/comments.
RJ
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Old 03-17-2018, 12:09 PM   #14
Mic
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many auto part sores sell AC cleanign spray

spray on


drink beer

run unit to rinse
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