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tom41 · 07-29-2014, 07:47 AM

A bad smell is coming from the hotwater and has just started on this trip. This is the first time for this and it was just used on a trip about 6 weeks ago. smells like rotten eggs!! any suggestions of what to do?

adonh · 07-29-2014, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom41

A bad smell is coming from the hotwater and has just started on this trip. This is the first time for this and it was just used on a trip about 6 weeks ago. smells like rotten eggs!! any suggestions of what to do?

Sounds like a bad Anode Rod. With no details on the HW heater I would suggest finding the operating manual and checking on this.

dennis45 · 07-29-2014, 08:17 AM

I had the same problem a year ago. We used water at a campground that has well water and then put the coach into storage for about a month. When we used the hot water after storage, we got the same smell. It is a result of a reaction between the sulphur content in the water sitting in contact with the Aluminum Anode Rod.
The only way to clear it up is to remove the Anode Rod, drain and flush the heater, then using the water pump, pump a couple gallons of Bleach into the heater in the same way you would pump Anti Freeze to Winterize. Close the valve out of the heater, Leave the over pressure valve open until water flows indicating the heater is full of the water/bleach solution. Let it stand in the heater for at least 4-5 hours. Drain and flush again and you should be back in business. It is a nasty smell for sure.

tom41 · 07-29-2014, 08:40 AM

Thanks to you both for the suggestions. I will check these things out soon as I get back home. Sure is a terrible smell for sure!

DGBPokes · 07-29-2014, 09:03 AM

The only way to clear it up is to remove the Anode Rod, drain and flush the heater, then using the water pump, pump a couple gallons of Bleach into the heater in the same way you would pump Anti Freeze to Winterize. Close the valve out of the heater, Leave the over pressure valve open until water flows indicating the heater is full of the water/bleach solution. Let it stand in the heater for at least 4-5 hours. Drain and flush again and you should be back in business. It is a nasty smell for sure.[/QUOTE]

100% correct! And it works, been there done that, a couple of times. Wish there was a good way to completely drain the tank. You can remove the anode rod, but that leaves a small amount still in the bottom to turn foul. I have removed the anode, and taken a wet/ dry vac and sucked the residual out. Sure a lot of trouble just to get it drained.