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It was inevitable that we would have a technical problem on this trip. My bet was somewhere before Dover on the first day but nearly three months later one has arisen.
We noticed the other day that there was a strange smell in the kitchen area. Mrs D thought it was gas but it isn’t. We were on hookup for the last two nights and no smell. Today we are off hookup and on gas and the smell has come back. It’s the fridge.
I have located the smell coming out of the Electrolux (I think) exhaust outlet outside. It’s getting into the van a bit either through the fridge or open windows, extractor fan or door.
The smell is like an acrid funny smell. I’m sure it’s not gas but it does smell a bit like burnt glue or something (hard to describe), reminds me of something from a chemistry lab.
I noticed the round exhaust filter thing outside wasn’t quite flush so I took the cover off and clipped it back in. It’s slightly charred but seems ok. Smell hasn’t gone though.
We are worried now about leaving the fridge on overnight in case it goes up in flames or worse the fumes are harmful.
We are away for at least another month yet and are currently in Averyon in the south of France.
Any ideas?
______________________________________________________________ Hank the Tank has a website. Follow our adventures at http://www.hankthetank.co.uk
looks a bit grubby? . Give it all a good clean off and see what happens. Could the fitting have got gunged up over time, and with the hot french weather (!) it's getting burnt off?
______________________________________________________________ Still sat here in front of the computer - it may be in the office, or on the laptop if I manage to get away from the office.
As far as I know, the only motorhoming Oxford United supporter in Bognor.
I'm no expert (one will probably be along shortly) but the sooty appearance makes me think the burner needs cleaning/adjusting. Personally I wouldn't leave the fridge on over night as, at the very least, the fumes could give you a nasty headache - or worse.
______________________________________________________________ "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing properly"
I'd be inclined to leave the fridge on, and open all the skylights, as long as there isn't a build up, you should be fine and the alarm will sound if it gets anywhere near danger levels, assuming it works.
Could you find a MH or caravan garage in the area, maybe someone from here knows of one you could use.
Barry, for sure it's the burner and flue that needs cleaning. I don't know how adept you are at things mechanical, but if reasonably OK then you should be able to cope. Normally there is access to the burner via the bottom large grille vent, with the age of your van it should be relatively easy to remove the burner and give it a thorough clean, the flue has a diffuser in it which is normally just hanging in the flue pipe, take that out and pull through the flue with a piece of cord or better still a long small round brush. The burner will come off as a unit with the removal of the feed pipe either 11mm or 7/16af spanner and a single screw (after the shield is removed normally a single screw), use a soft wire (brass) brush to clean up the parts and re-assemble, ensuring all orifices are clear (blow and look).
The smell you are getting is not that of a monoxide (they are odourless), but it is very smelly and most unpleasant.
______________________________________________________________ John
Hi Barry
Could it be that you have a leak from the fridge and the smell is actually the ammonia coming from the fridge. If that's the case you will need to get it checked out by a dealer and maybe get it recharged if that's possible.
I don't know if I'm up to cleaning it. I'm pretty useless and worry I may render it inoperable. I may well have a co though. Might take some more photos. I did have the grills off but couldn't see anything obvious so out them back!
I'm not sure it's an amonia smell. Possibly a stupid question but if it had a leak would it not smell on ehu? I we have turned it down and it's not as bad.
At least it sounds like it won't kill us!
if I leave it for a month till we get back is it likely to do Any damage?
Will try and post another photo
Thanks
______________________________________________________________ Hank the Tank has a website. Follow our adventures at http://www.hankthetank.co.uk
I'd 99% guarantee it's not ammonia, if it were the fridge would not be cooling no matter what energy was selected.
Barry the only problem with leaving it is that it will get progressively worse, the reason it only smells on gas is the only time you have combustion is when on gas, if on 12 or 230 volt you have an electrical element providing the heat.
Shame you are so far from me as I'd happily sort it for you (and will if you are in the NW area.)
______________________________________________________________ John
Eurojohn is on the nail. I had exactly the same thing with a Thetford fridge. Has said, clean the vertical exhaust stack with a rag pulled through and clean the hanging baffle - it's amazing how much soot stays in there. One clean and no more acrid/burnt plastic smell.
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Germany
. Give it all a good clean off and see what happens. Could the fitting have got gunged up over time, and with the hot french weather (!) it's getting burnt off?
