Smelly Water Heater

Seems like you covered all the bases. 

So, did a through check with a propane gas sniffer….no propane leaks any where (as I suspected).  So I did what I did on the previous TC I used metal duct tap on the entire seal of the outer decorative frame and the water heater.  Even though the water heater itself has a outer flange that should be backed by butyl tape I took no chances.  I have tested it twice, not at altitude but in some wind (which would also cause it to smell) and no smell.

I also plan on swapping out the gas oriface to the high altitude #65.  This will rob some of the BTU’s at lower elevations but still work just fine.  No sooting.  I will be on the coast of OR for a few weeks, so I will report how it did there.

While all these posts are helpful, sure would be nice if the OP bothered to return and engage in the conversation.

Hmmmm.  

Propane is, it seems to me, a relatively safe gas to work with, as it’s 1.52 x the density is air. At 9,000’ you’re at about 69% the sea level weight of the atmosphere, propane weighing 0.085 lbs./cubic foot, with air at  0.056 lbs./cubic foot…the ratio being about the same as at sea level. To be a total nerd about it, I’d need to factor in the general theory of relativity where gravity decreases with the inverse square of the distance, I guess, meaning my 0.085 and 0.056 figures above are wrong.

This is why I’ve always thought propane in a boat is a dangerous idea, as leaking propane could pool in a low spot in the boat 1. Where it can’t get out, and 2. Where it may be in proximity if an inboard or I/O engine…

I’m not a physicist, but I stayed near a Holiday Inn Express last night.

That means to me, however, that if you get a leak in a camper, the propane should seep out of things and DESCEND, leaking out of the camper where able into the void beneath, drifting turbulently with the breeze to parts unknown.

 So, why would a smell remain?  

—Trapped gas in some niches?

—a line in that vicinity that is currently leaking?

Might be good to

—turn OFF the propane at the tank, let it dissipate.

 —re-orient your camper to the prevailing winds, to see how the smell shifts

—ask Zaphod Beeblebrox what he’s been up to?

—have any Vogons been reading poetry to your camper?

You have a new camper, but if the same guy, who tangled my battery cables or left my electric water heater unplugged from the Forest River factory, also did the finish work on your camper…it might be worthy to consider a new propane line, as it may have been compromised.

Don’t look for it with a match or anything hot.

At 9,000 feet altitude, with 31% less oxygen, you should have a rich fuel-to-air mixture, so some UNBURNED PROPANE may linger. “May.” I don’t know. But that altitude is pretty high.

Email some physicist at CalTech and see if s/he will help. 

Curiosity.

Overall, my best wondering—far below an actual guess, and from my deep association with Wiley Coyote’s ACME supply company—is if you have a leak in a line. Mayhap, STOP USING THAT LINE, replace it in sheer caution.

i do hope my time slumbering at Holiday Inn Express helped.

And 8,900 feet isn’t much on either side of the Sierra. 

at 8900 ft your also going to get incomplet combustion on what ever your trying to burn.  removing the lid and seeing a strong blue isn't a good indicator, as when you take the lid off it allows more O2 to get to the combustion process than normal so it could make it appear better than it is.  at that altitude you are taking about a 35% hit on the effenciency of the water heater and it can still have incomplete combustion that isn't aparent.  

look at all the openings around the water heater.  open them up make sure everything is sealled up good.  one little spot missed can let the gasses in, especialy at higher altitudes

No RV is airtight, nor should it be. Is it enough to set off the LP detector? Is the detector working? I have had some batches of LP that contain more smell than others. LP has no smell. It's added to detect a leak and sometimes more gets added for some reason. 

how close is the stove, fridge and furnace to the sink?  They all have propane going to them.  

This is my first RV and I’m getting that same smell! I couldn’t figure out where it was coming from! I have a Geo pro 20FKS, gonna shut off my water heater and see if that smell go’s away. I’ll update tomorrow.