furnace exhaust

[Michael1222]

Our Class C does not get run all the time, however, we brought it home a few days ago to pack it up for our trip in a few days. We turned the propane furnace on and noticed black soot coming out of the exhaust on outside of motorhome. If we are camping and turn the furnace on for a while, will the black soot clears itself up or is there another problem.
What can we do to eliminate the problem

[Joe_Hamm]

Once fixed, consider installing insect screen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lcVtEy9DWU

[Cobra21]

It should get checked by a technician. Also...very important for everyone.
Get a CO2 carbon monoxide / Smoke alarm for your interiors and make sure
to put new batteries in at the beginning of your camping season.

Cheers, Brian

[gotsmart]

After fixing the problem I recommend buying insect screens for the furnace, water heater, and refrigerator. Note: each insect screen is brand (and in a few cases: model) specific.

[Michael1222]

Thanks for all the input. I definitely will run the furnace for a few minutes, and if it doesn't clear, I'll shut it down and get it serviced.We already have an electric heater that we intend to use.

[dicknellen]

If you are staying at a RV park or campground that has electric power bring along an small electric heater and use it until you get furnace cleaned out. We always carry a small electric heater with us, sometimes that is all you need and you can save your propane when hooked to electric. Dick

[wolfe10]

Actually YOU are the only one who can tell if it will clear up.

As with a home gas furnace, when first fired up, they smell!

Run it for 20 minutes-- if it is still smoking, then cleaning of the burner is recommended.

[naturist]

Yeah, spiders, or possibly wasps. Either way, making black soot burning propane signals a burner that has clogs in the air feed, and it presents a hazard. At the very least, soot production will further clog the burner and needs to be stopped. It needs a good cleaning out and that bench test will allow them to adjust the air so it burns clean.

[past-MIdirector]

You didn't say what year the C is. More than likely spiders have made a web in side the burner. The furnace needs to be removed cleaned and bench tested.