Community Forums

Momof4boys · 11-04-2012, 08:51 AM

Hi
Does anyone else have a problem with a diesel fume smell in the rear bedroom while traveling? We have been having major issues with horrible diesel fumes back there.
Thanks,
Krissy

Nowabeachbum · 11-04-2012, 09:32 AM

With a "def" assisted engine you shouldn't smell diesel fumes ever! Are you running the Aquahot or generator (both do have a diesel smell)? But to answer your question, no we don't ever smell diesel in the bedroom.
Have you checked for fuel leaks? I would encourage you to have it checked out immediately!

bullheaded · 11-04-2012, 09:40 AM

We had a raw diesel smell that produced headaches our first trip from TX to CA and back. After warranty work in Middlebury we took it to Spartan in Charlotte for fuel tank removal and vent change. They said that the fuel lines had not cured. Smell has all but gone away. Good luck.....

Momof4boys · 11-04-2012, 09:55 AM

We investigated after the last 11 hour drive and we discovered three issues:

We discovered:
1. the washer spill pan drains into the rear engine compartment. Access #1 for the diesel engine fumes we have been experiencing. (this is the clear hose that we duct taped over on the side of the road last evening)
2. the dryer vent also spills into the rear engine compartment. Access #2 for the diesel engine fumes...
3. while investigating in the engine compartment we discovered the silver A/C duct tape was falling off. We could see the cedar wood of the master bedroom closet. Access #3 for the diesel engine fumes.

We took care of items 1&2 but didn't have the supplies for #3 and are currently on our way home and still experiencing the diesel fume smell.

I just turned the aqua hot diesel burner off to see if that suggestion helps (our generator is not on)

These are all on my punch list item for Entegra.

Krissy

Ann n Gene · 11-04-2012, 10:56 AM

I think you may have found a MAJOR drawback to the washer and dryer being moved to the rear closet that no one had previously discovered. That vent and pan should be rerouted by Entegra immediately. I KNOW that they follow this thread so.......HEY ENTEGRA GUYS, THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY, AS IN BEFORE MY COACH LEAVES THE FACTORY. Seriously, that is an engineering mistake likely made by an engineer who has not traveled in an rv. Even if you were not getting the diesel smell through those sources, you do NOT want all that engine heat, noise and pollutants coming into the coach from the engine compartment. The seal to the access to the engine compartment on my Anthem is one of the best on the market and a great improvement over my Travel Supreme, hate to see them spoil that with a path to the washer and dryer. I had just assumed that they were still venting the dryer to the outside. I can understand the desire to get rid of that noise making flap on the outside of the coach at the dryer vent but curing one problem may have created a bigger one. All just my opinion.

Momof4boys · 11-04-2012, 11:14 AM

Shutting off the aqua hot didn't make any difference in the smell in the bedroom. Upon close inspection my husband and our very mechanically inclined friend both feel that the rear engine compartment on our coach could definitely be better insulated. If the smell in our bedroom isn't coming from the washer and dryer vents (we sealed them up) then where is it coming from? I guess a call to Spartan is on my agenda for tomorrow morning, as maybe we have the issue
Maybe we have the same problem that bullheaded has...

DSL417 · 11-04-2012, 12:12 PM

X2 for me and X3,4, and 5 for those of us who play on this forum often and are picking coaches up that will be built starting in mid-Nov.

RISCKY · 11-04-2012, 12:15 PM

Krissy,

Please keep us informed of the problem and the solution w/ this issue. Per Gene's comment; I suspect Entegra will be all over this one.

slabman · 11-11-2012, 11:20 PM

Not sure what they're doing these days, but my '07 Spartan K-2 chassis had an issue where the exhaust pipe came out of the turbo. It would break at the flange, allowing diesel fumes to enter the BR above. Spartan sent me a fix package, consistine of some flex pipe which allowed for movement of the pipe without shearing off at this juncture.

HeapBigEngin · 11-12-2012, 12:01 AM

Not familiar with your coach or its age, but I would also suggest you look over the various exhaust system connetions for loose clamps, bolts/nuts, etc. I would also look carefully at the exhaust manifold for any tell-tale signs of cracks/leakage. When these large coaches move down the road, there is an incredible amount of turbulence around the engine compartment and under the coach. If you have a side-mount radiator, just let your engine idle sometime with the cooling fan rotating and raise your bed....you'll get a better idea of what I am saying. Now, imagine it at 60+ mph.

I did have a similiar problem on our coach. Raising the back engine access cover (ours has a side-mount radiator) revealed numerous seams, junctures and panels that could easily allow fumes to enter the coach, especially with the original factory tapes and sealants deteriorating somewhat from age. I seemed to have solved our problem by systematically cleaning and resealing all of these things with high quality tapes. I paid particular attention to the area in the right rear of the coach since that is where the exhaust pipe exits. I am happy to say that this year, we no longer seem to have any noticeable diesel fumes back there. I just wish I could say the same about some of the heat that remains after a long ride.

Good luck, and please let us know how you improve the situation. This should be of interest to a lot of us....thanks!