when the fridge switched from elect to propane, after a few hours the CO Detector and Propane Detector started to go off. I could smell it also- to us it smelled more like exhaust not the usual rotten egg smell of propane. we were not in the camper, it was parked at the house. I turned the control to AC only and the smell went away after I vented the camper - been running on Elect with no smell, tried it again on propane and the Detectors went off again.Norcold 1200 let me know what you think and if you need more info. thanksRav

Moved from Forum Technical Support

Need to check/find source of propane leak......and don't run on propane again until you do find.

Sounds more like a plugged vent/stack.

the fridge is on a slide and there are 2 vents on the wall, the bottom for fridge access and the top for the exhaust. I check and both are clear of any obstructions. not sure why the smell is getting into the coach, could the baffle or flue be plugged? the propane valve is turned off -what's the best way to find a propane leak. trying to get all the info I can for when I start working on it. thanks

Soapy water in a spray bottle.........or gas leak detection at Home Depot.RVs are not 'air tight' so odors can get inside easily.Flue could be obstructed.......with the upper vent cover off you should be able to reach down to top of flue. Remove baffle and use a 1" long bottle brush to 'sweep' the chimney......course you will need to clean burner area after due to debris falling down when cleaning flue.

propane/exhaust smell from fridge | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

rav
Explorer
Aug 03, 2014
I pushed down a small amount of debris and lots of soot on the brush- it was hard to determine what the blockage was. I didn't see any spider webs on the brush- during this I also saw that the fridge was part of the recall. had that done last week at All Seasons RV Appliance in Elkhart. thanks for all the help.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Aug 01, 2014
Combusted propane EXHAUST smells sweet. The odor of the old Servel refrigerators.

IMHO the OP did exactly the right thing using exactly the right diagnosis and repair.

Kudos!
beemerphile1
Explorer
Aug 01, 2014
Even if the flu was the problem, you shouldn't get fumes inside. The refrigerator compartment itself should be sealed from the inside of the RV and the refrigerator should have a gasket around the face where it goes into the compartment.
Fleetwood99
Explorer
Aug 01, 2014
Thanks for reporting back. What was the blockage?
rav
Explorer
Jul 29, 2014
thank you for all the replies- I cleaned the flue and all is good now. I will add that to my spring check list, it was very easy to do.
Fleetwood99
Explorer
Jul 16, 2014
step 5 ...fix it
cekkk
Explorer
Jul 16, 2014
I'd close my propane tanks' valves until the problem is resolved. Propane is much heavier than air and pools, or will pool if it leaks in an enclosed space. It is very dangerous.
kalynzoo
Explorer
Jul 16, 2014
Hope it is not the odor of the coolant!
Fleetwood99
Explorer
Jul 16, 2014
Norcold 1200? Not sure of your Frig has been Recall or not. Might want to check your exact serial number Unit you have.

From Norcold website:

If you have one of these refrigerator models, use the following procedure:

1. Identify and write down the refrigerator model. If it is a Norcold 1200, 1201, 1210 and 1211 model, go to step 2.

2. Identify and write down the refrigerator serial number. If the serial number falls in the range of 315525 and 13088811, go to step 3.

3. Identify and write down the cooling unit serial number. If the serial number falls in the range of 700000 and 13085759, go to step 4.

4. Call your dealer immediately.

http://www.norcoldrecall.com/

Good Luck
naturist
Nomad
Jul 16, 2014
Cuffs054 wrote:
Sounds more like a plugged vent/stack.

+1