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Yellowish Substance with Refrigerator Failure

Grey_Mountain
Explorer
Explorer
When the refrigerator goes out, or is about to go out, there is a yellowish substance (or there can be) often found. What does that substance smell like?

Had this happen to me on a trip several years ago, but I've forgotten what the smell is like.
2006 Discovery 39S Tin Teepee
Honda CR-V Toad
Enrolled member of the Comanche Tribe
English Bride
Bichon Frise bear killers:
Lord Shonefeld von Reginald-Friese IV.
Lady Annabelle von Lichenstein-Friese III.
5 REPLIES 5

Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Explorer II
A factoid that I am 90% sure of- the corrosion inhibitor used is sodium tetrachromate, which is a somewhat more benign brother to hexavalent chromium, also used for corrosion inhibition, and the Substance in the true Erin Brockovich story.
-- Chris Bryant

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Explorer III
The yellow residue doesn't smell.....it is the AMMONIA that smells

The yellow residue is dried up sodium chromate (rust inhibitor) and it is TOXIC
To clean it up use safety glasses, masks, gloves and vacuum it ---do NOT use air compressor to blow it out


Coolant solution is Ammonia, Hydrogen, Sodium Chromate and Water
(Some units have used Helium vs Hydrogen----very small percentage....Atwood HE and aftermarket replacements)
Is it time for your medication or mine?


2007 DODGE 3500 QC SRW 5.9L CTD In-Bed 'quiet gen'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
US NAVY------USS Decatur DDG31

Grey_Mountain
Explorer
Explorer
OK. Thanks. I was getting confused over the smell from bad water - strong sulphur/rotten egg smell.

Thanks for the response.
2006 Discovery 39S Tin Teepee
Honda CR-V Toad
Enrolled member of the Comanche Tribe
English Bride
Bichon Frise bear killers:
Lord Shonefeld von Reginald-Friese IV.
Lady Annabelle von Lichenstein-Friese III.

MFL
Nomad II
Nomad II
Yup...not sure how you'd forget that smell, but it will go away eventually.

Jerry

Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Explorer II
Strong ammonia smell...
Dutch
2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A
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2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump
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