Terrible smell from furnace vents

[Astroinfidel]

Hi everyone,

I am the new owner of a 2009 Everest 345S, and just spent my first night in my new trailer. What should have been a joyous occasion was overshadowed by the stench coming out of the furnace vents in the kitchen and living room. The trailer has a new toilet and a new furnace. I asked the dealer if there had been a problem with the toilet, and he said no, the guy just wanted a new toilet.

Today I took a few pics inside the vents with my iPhone and a flashlight, and I see what looks to be evidence of past flowing liquid, and marks where it evaporated and left residue.

My worry is that the toilet overflowed into the bathroom vent, and then flowed through the lower vents. This would explain the new toilet and furnace, and the residue and stench.

I notified the dealer immediately of the problem, and sent them the pics of the inside of the vents. I am waiting for a response. I paid $360 for an inspection by the dealer before I committed to buying the unit, and the unit got a clean bill of health with no mention of any stink. When I came to see it in the early winter, it was indoors with the electric fireplace heating it, so I smelled nothing unusual.

My concern is not only the terrible smell, but also the possible health consequences of breathing in what I assume could be a lot of airborne E. coli. The fact that I was not informed of any problems makes me very nervous about what kind of co - operation I am going to get from the dealer when they reply.

I understand that a new furnace can stink when being used the first few times. This is not an industrial, paint and oil burning off kind of smell. It smells like sewage. Any advice much appreciated.

Dean
Pembroke, Ontario

[sourdough]

I would be VERY concerned. There is a reason those items were replaced...and it wasn't to update the trailer. The dealer, and the inspection company, are both liable for the issue you face. Not to be a jerk but a thorough PDI would have found this. Never take the work of a dealer, or a quick walk thru by an "inspector" (who only wants your check)....you have to be neck deep in it yourself.

[Astroinfidel]

Hi sourdough,
The dealer did the inspection, and told me nothing of any smell. And the same dealer as far as I know replaced the toilet and furnace for the original owner, so IF there was a sewage flood, of course they would have been well aware of it.

I just retired and sold my house to buy this trailer and tow vehicle. I sure hope I have a leg to stand on if push comes to shove with the dealer, or I am up the proverbial creek.

It would be helpful to know if what I am worried about can actually happen. Does anyone out there with a knowledge of the layout of the vents and furnace of the 345S know if this scenario is even possible? IF the toilet overflowed and drained into the bathroom vent, could it flow somehow down through the furnace to the kitchen and living room vents? Is this physically possible? I might sleep a little better tonight if I knew it was not, since almost any other scenario than sewage residue in the vents would be an improvement.

Dean

[chuckster57]

First off, I happen to think the dealer was dishonest. Can you prove it? I don't know, but the "preponderance of the evidence" is all that's needed in small claims court.

I suppose if the toilet leak had enough volume and traveled through the furnace duct work, it could reach the "box" and travel along to another area. That would depend on how the furnace is oriented (horizontal or vertical) and at what height the duct work was connected. I think the chances are slim it went any further.
I wish you the best, and the proper fix would be to replace the furnace ducting and registers.

Being retired LEO I am very skeptical, and my radar would have alerted at electric fireplace on for heat. Hindsight is....but I would have asked for the furnace to operate.

[notanlines]

I know you don't need anyone to be particularly harsh on you, but "The dealer did the inspection" makes me shake my head at your actions. Let me make sure first off that I have this straight. You paid $360 for the offering dealer to do an inspection on an RV that THEY are trying to sell.....correct? Does the fox sneaking into the hen house and receiving scrambled eggs and fried chicken come to mind? Any chance of having a little conversation with the previous owner? Might help know what actually happened. And hopefully you have a close friend who is an attorney. You're going to need one.

[kksfish]

Dealer inspections are pretty common these days! A while back when I was looking at used units I found it to be the case at several large dealerships. At one dealer I asked the same question you guys are asking........you want me to pay for an inspection on a trailer you are trying to sell me! They informed me that was the only way to get any warranty at all.

[chuckster57]

PDI is common on all units. The difference is how in depth the dealer goes and what course of action is taken when an issue is found. Getting warranty on a used unit is IMO a total waste of $$.

[Astroinfidel]

When I checked out the unit before purchase and they used the electric heat, I was told it had a brand new furnace, and that all appliances would be working properly when I picked up the unit. So I didn't insist they take the until outside of the shop to demo the furnace. They did fire it up and let it run a few minutes when I picked it up, but it didn't run long enough to stink. Plus by then I owned it anyway.

I have emailed EMSL Analytical in Ottawa, and will be taking a sample ASAP of the sawdust in the vents to them for testing for E. coli and any other sewer related contaminants. And I will be informing the dealer that I am doing so as a precaution in light of the evidence of a past sewer leak. If I have a lab report showing E. coli contamination of the vents and my breathing air, my hand is going to be a lot stronger in dealing with them.

Here is a pic of the inside of the vent. The clean foreground is what I could reach with a rag.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/83e4cwsedh..._2538.JPG?dl=0

Dean

[chuckster57]

Looks like stuff is still wet. Yuck, I sure hope it isn't what you think it is but if it is, I wouldn't hesitate to go after the dealership for fraud at the very least. Good luck and let us know what the lab finds.

[Astroinfidel]

Hi chuckster,
Fortunately, that is sawdust. It is dry now, but you can see the high water mark on the left side of the vent.

Dean

[66joej]

^ Agree. Kudos to you for going for the lab check. Hope things work out in your favour. Picture doesn't look good.

[sourdough]

Picture does not look good. To me, if you're getting that strong of a stench out of the heating unit (ducting) there has to be an issue. I think the dealer owns this lock stock and barrel so don't let him off lightly. The very least they owe you is the $360 you paid for an "inspection".

[CaptnJohn]

Yes, looks like a water mark ~~ I hope it is not what you suspect! Curious to find out for certain.

[ctbruce]

I'm sorry you're going through this and I hope it turns out for you. Shame on the dealer.

That said, this is a good lesson for anyone looking to buy a used trailer. Take NOTHING for granted. Do a thorough PDI before paying and if anything doesn't look right, get it fixed or RUN, DON'T WALK away.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[Astroinfidel]

Well I got the test results back, and there is no contamination of the ducts with E. coli, mould, or other pathogens. I am very relieved, but still don't know the source of the smell, or what liquid appears to have flowed through the ducts.

I guess the next step is professional duct cleaning. And if that still doesn't do it, duct replacement. And still no reply from the dealer about the smell,so I guess they are just happy it is my problem now, whatever it turns out to be.

Would a household duct cleaning company tear these tin foil ducts to shreds? Because a house call would sure make it an easy job. I also have discovered almost zero heat or air flow to the bedroom. Strange, since the duct 5 feet away in the bathroom has very good heat and air flow. I took a pic inside the duct with my iPhone and don't see any obstruction.

Very relieved tonight that the trailer has a clean bill of health, and I should get to the bottom of this with a methodical approach.

Dean

[chuckster57]

As far as I know the ducts are fairly stout. Are all the registers on the floor?

Great to hear your not being poisoned.

[PARAPTOR]

X2 glad to here those ducts are not contaminated. Not what commercial stick home duct cleaners would do ? Did you call around to see if any dealers refurbished units and see what they offer. Is that duct one piece? Located in belly area, could you replace the whole thing with regular house rectangular duct material. Just a thought

[Astroinfidel]

Hi again guys,

I have some very good news. I fould a dead mouse deep in the duct by using a fish tape and wet rag. My ducts are now sparkling clean and the smell is 95% gone. I expect the rest to disappear in a day or two. And yes chuckster I stand corrected. The ducts are in fact nice and solid.

I did hire someone to clean the ducts, but the duct was too small for the brushes, and he could just use the hose. He fogged with Odorcide, but it didn't do much at all with the mouse still in there stinking. So today I spent a few hours running a rag with hot soapy water the length of the duct, over and over. After about 20 passes, while in about 15 feet, I started pulling out more and more stinky sawdust. When I pulled out the mouse I truly felt like I had won the lottery. I did a few passes through the duct with the rag soaked in Odorcide, and it seems to have done the trick.

So tonight my sinks are stopped up, but that seems so minor compared to this stink problem that I will attack that issue with a smile tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and moral support!

Dean

[14george]

Happy you found the problem

[sourdough]

Good for you!! Perseverance pays off and you finally found the little "stinker"