Atwood furnace fumes inside RV

[frankziegler]

I have a 2006 Coachman with an Atwood 8531_IV furnace. I noticed a propane smell in the coach and found the valve in the furnace was leaking, so I replaced it. Now I just get exhaust odors. I'm thinking the heat exchanger is leaking which would explain why I could smell an external propane leak inside the coach. The smell now could just be crud burning off since the coach is recently purchased but the propane smell makes me concerned. Might mention the LP tank is 'empty' since it's been leaking for 3 months, but still lights range and furnace but not at same time.

[frankziegler]

My old smoke alarm over the driver seat goes off before the brand new units over the stove.
I went back to shore powered heat as soon as I noticed the issue. I work from the RV and smells don't help concentration either.
Then again it's 40 outside and with two 1000W heaters I'm maintaining 70 inside just around the dining table. May need to upgrade the insulation.

[Old-Biscuit]

frankziegler wrote:
By the way, I have smoke, CO and LP detectors and none went off. The LP detector is handheld so you can probe places I don't want to put my nose. It didn't detect anything before I replaced the valve. Not very sensitive.

Are they OEM or have they been replaced recently.

They ALL have a 'self life' which is typically 5 yrs or so. Sensors go 'nose blind' and fail. Expiration date is stamped on backside of detectors -----
2006 .......they are 10 yrs PLUS and are no longer reliable

REPLACE!

[frankziegler]

By the way, I have smoke, CO and LP detectors and none went off. The LP detector is handheld so you can probe places I don't want to put my nose. It didn't detect anything before I replaced the valve. Not very sensitive.

[wa8yxm]

I am thinking you are right. If the heat exchanger is leaking you have a very dangerous device.. Leaking heat exchangers cause many to go to sleep.....and stay there... forever.. (Die).. I'd get it checked by a professional or, if you wish, replace it..

Came a tad too close to that in my Sticks and bricks.. Turns out I made the decision to upgrade and replace.... Well, let me put it this way. When I made the decision it was "elective" so I got a good price on the job which was scheduled at the installer's convince.. Had I Waited till the coming heating season I'd have paid much more for an "Emergency" replacement. This became obvious when the old unit was hauled up the stairs and dumped for the scrap iron man.. I saw holes in the heat exchanger. it would not have made it another year.

[TenOC]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
EVERY RV should have a smoke and CO detector ! No excuses !!

I full time and 2 of each. A cracked heat exchange can kill you with CO.

[DrewE]

I agree that it sure sounds like a bad heat exchanger, which of course is something in the "do not use until repaired" category.

If the gas gauge you're referring to is a three or four light level meter, it is if necessity very imprecise. Assuming a built-in tank, there should be a dial gauge on the tank, probably partly obscured by the sender for the lights. That dial gauge gives a far more informative reading.

[theoldwizard1]

EVERY RV should have a smoke and CO detector ! No excuses !!

[1492]

Moved from Forum Technical Support

[Old-Biscuit]

YES...........

The heat exchanger is cracked allowing combustion/exhaust inside RV

[ksg5000]

At a minimum I suggest you take your rig into a commercial propane dealer and have them inspect the propane system of your rig - sounds like you have leaks, bad gauges, and maybe other issues that a pro should be able to identify fix quickly. I never heard of RV heat system that leaked so I would focus on the propane system first - just my 02.