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steveinboise · 09-01-2014, 08:51 PM

OMG...Just bought a 1985 Minnie Winnie, and had all systems checked. I (finally) figured out why it wouldn't hold water...turns out, the line drains are POP-UP/DOWN valves...drained the black and grey water tanks, and filled the propane.

....which took me 3 days to figure out. Yes, I'm a newbie.

So...filled it up with water, lit the hot water heater, fired up the stove, lit the propane refrigerator, and WOOHOO, everything works. Slept in it last night (in the driveway...), cooked a yummy breakfast and took a shower. SuhWEET!!!!

I'm an RV deity now. Or so I thought. Tonight, I smell H2S (rotting egg) smell something bad, and the entire inside of the RV smells of it.

Wife thinks I'm a goofball, and is NOT ready to go RV-ing with me until I fix this.

What....the...heck? Where is this smell coming from? I keep pouring water down the drains, flushing the toilet, taking showers, but it's still just a fart-bomb in there.

....help me....

Steve in Idaho City with a very stinky RV.

k turf rv · 09-01-2014, 09:16 PM

Don't know for sure but sound's like you need to drain the water heater. This can cause this kinda smell after it has set for awhile.

steveinboise · 09-02-2014, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k turf rv

Don't know for sure but sound's like you need to drain the water heater. This can cause this kinda smell after it has set for awhile.

You know, I thought this, too. Growing up in Nn Minnesota, where we have a lot of hard water, this smell was not uncommon, so I thought it was associated with the water system somehow.

I guess...I didn't "flush" this...just filled it up and turned on the hot water heater. Maybe if I run enough water through it, it will go away.

Still....that water is hot...not warm....and I thought this was a bacterial reaction. Maybe not.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback. I'll give an update when I know what the fix is.

HR2004 · 09-02-2014, 08:12 AM

We have that same problem at our house. or we did have.. The anode rod in the water heater reacts with our hot water and after we cut the anode rod off the smell was gone.. Now I know it is there to protect the water heater from corrosion. We have a water softener and hope that it helps with the corrosion. so far so good.

TonyDi · 09-02-2014, 08:16 AM

A rotten egg smell can also be caused by batteries. Check water levels and charge status..
We've all had DOH!! moments. Good luck with the fix.

Luckiest Dreamer · 09-02-2014, 08:19 AM

Fill the system with water and a cup of bleach. Keep it in there for a few hours(better yet take it for a ride) Drain that solution and flush with fresh water at least twice then refill. If the bleach smell persists. Flush again using fresh water and a cup of white vinegar. Re flush with fresh water then refill and you will be ready to go. Never winterize with intifreze in the water heater, always by pass! Antifreeze does not like being heated and the smell well return!

steveinboise · 09-02-2014, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyDi

A rotten egg smell can also be caused by batteries. Check water levels and charge status..
We've all had DOH!! moments. Good luck with the fix.

I really appreciate everyone's feedback. I asked my local RV repair shop, and they said to first boost the temp on the Hot Water Heater for a few hours, in case it was bacterial. If it doesn't go away, they suggested replacing the Anode, as it was probably significantly degraded.

Not sure how that plays a role, but I'll pursue both of these immediately. My wife is already calling it the Fart Factory.

....not gonna happen....

nothermark · 09-02-2014, 04:56 PM

remind me not to use your local RV repair shop. It takes boiling the water to really kill bacteria. It's a lot safer to overload it with bleach, let it sit for an hour or two then flush as described. There is a plug in the outside of the tank you need to find so you can drain the tank as part of winterizing the unit. Mine have been a white plastic plug under the gas burner assembly. Pull that and dump a lot of water through that hole just to flush the tank. It will take a lot more water to flush through the faucets. If you want just thread the plug back in, fill the tank and pull the plug a few times. Finger tight and dripping is fine for doing that.

unca waldo · 09-03-2014, 01:45 AM

Perhaps I'm barking up the wrong tree, but are you positive the odor is coming from the water/drain systems?

Propane has a smell that some have compared to "rotten eggs", so it might be wise to recheck all the gas connections on your motorhome. They may have looked and even checked Okay initially, but pressurizing the system and use might have caused any weak connections to fail.

Just a though... hope ya get it figured out quick and cheap.

steveinboise · 09-04-2014, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unca waldo

Perhaps I'm barking up the wrong tree, but are you positive the odor is coming from the water/drain systems?

Propane has a smell that some have compared to "rotten eggs", so it might be wise to recheck all the gas connections on your motorhome. They may have looked and even checked Okay initially, but pressurizing the system and use might have caused any weak connections to fail.

Just a though... hope ya get it figured out quick and cheap.

Just following up here...I had the rig checked out at a local RV dealer before bringing it home. That included a pressure test of the propane system, and yes, they found a leak, but repaired it.

In any case, I had a discussion with the owner of that shop on Tuesday around the anode rods, H2S smells, aluminum water heaters, and here's what he told me:

1) The 1985 Minnie Winnie did not come with an anode rod (which explains why I couldn't find the old one, or where it went).

2) He explained to me the importance of flushing the system when I winterize it, and how the sediment contributes to the H2S smell.

3) He sold me a $10 wand to attach to my garden hose, and asked me to pull the plug, drain the system, and flush the low-lying sediment out, then refill and reheat.

4) So...I drained, flushed about a 12 cup of sediment out, refilled, and relit the burner.

Happy to report...this a.m. (2 days later)...no rotten egg smell.

And...the wife has stopped calling it the Fart Factory. Happy Day.

We're headed to the Lowman, ID hot springs this weekend for the maiden voyage.

And...we struck our first RV compromise. She gets to bring the little yap-yap, kick-me ****** zoo dog (****-zhu) with us, but I get to give him a bath before he steps inside the RV.

His name is Whiz. Guess how he got that name.

...damned dog...

Again, thanks all for listening, and for the feedback and help. Much appreciated.

Steve in Idaho City, ID

rvten · 09-05-2014, 01:53 PM

Have a nice trip.
Share your beer with Whiz.

van3b · 09-06-2014, 08:03 PM

Thanks Steve for bringing some humor to your post. I've been laughing for 5 minutes. Enjoy your RV.
Van

MartySQ · 09-08-2014, 01:14 PM

yay! glad it wasn't a gas leak! NOw... if you can just keep the critter from leaking inside... BTW.. I always carry a spray bottle of OUT! pet odor remover... works for missed midnight shots around the toilet too....lol...