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Old 11-14-2005, 06:38 PM   #1
Montana_4229
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Odor in Pipes

We purchased our 2004 Montana this year. It had previously been used so there was no way to know how the previous owners kept the fresh water holding tank. Our problem is that when we dry camp the water coming in from holding tank has a horrid odor to it, then it also gets into the water heater so when we have full hookups we still have it till all the water is moved through. I have tried using lime juice, baking soda and we have drained the fresh water tank but there is still this odor. Anyone have any suggestions as to what we can put in it to eliminate the odor?
Larry and Connie
Salinas, Ca
 
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Old 11-14-2005, 07:13 PM   #2
Parrothead
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Put a little bleach in your fresh water tank and let it run through the water heater. Scouts (Boy and Girl) taught this method for making sure drinking water was safe (before bottled water came along). We put a little bleach in our fresh water tank whenever it has set for a while. Have never had an odor. I bet the there was water in the tank that got stagnant - it has a horrible smell.
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Old 11-14-2005, 07:18 PM   #3
tundra rose
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You may want to sanitize the tank and all piping with chlorine bleach (1/4 cup per 15 gallons of capacity) for 24 hours(see Montana instructions - http://keystonerv.com/service.php).

After flushing the system several times, another application of baking soda would help neutralize any remaining chlorine smell.

If that does not eliminate the odor, I'd recommend you find a good local RV dealer / supplier to determine what other chemical treatment would be appropriate.
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Old 11-14-2005, 07:18 PM   #4
Montana_4229
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Thanks so much for the advise. I will try that. I had thought about bleach but wasm't sure how much to put in. I am sure that they left water in fresh water tank and now it is worse. I will try that. Can you tell me about how much is safe?
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Old 11-14-2005, 07:21 PM   #5
Montana_4229
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Thanks I will try the bleach. Thanks for the quick respones...you guys are great!
Larry and Connie
Salinas, Ca
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Old 11-14-2005, 08:27 PM   #6
Fordzilla
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We do that every spring as well to get rid of any leftover antifreeze smell. It works great.

How are things in Salinas? I was stationed there @ Ft. Ord back in the early and mid 80's when it was a light infantry division. We plan to go back there some time just to travel around and see the sites again, and travel up and down Hwy 1 along the coast.
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Old 11-14-2005, 11:16 PM   #7
smc
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We used vinegar, put about half a gallon in about half a tank. It got rid of the smell and it also cleans minerals out.
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Old 11-15-2005, 06:14 AM   #8
PowellsMonty
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I did the vinegar to flush after the bleach set for the alloted time.
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Old 11-15-2005, 06:21 AM   #9
CRUZIN 2
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We had the same problem with ours it was the hot water heater, we flushed the water heater a couple of times. What makes the smell is the aluminum rod on the drain plug. This is to prevent the tank from corroding, some people remove the rod, but I wouldn't. This is what I have found that makes the odor for us.
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Old 11-18-2005, 08:37 AM   #10
ols1932
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When your unit sets for an extended period with the water tank partially filled, algae grows and causes the odor. The previous methods given will get rid of the odor. Since we full time, we don't experiencr that problem, but even thought we use our water from the water tank quite a bit, we still put water purifiers into the tank periodically.
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Old 11-18-2005, 12:22 PM   #11
OntMont
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Another thing to check: your hot water tank may have a lot of scale and other stuff in it. Remove the anode rod (big hex nut near bottom on the outside) and squirt fresh water in from a nozzle, do this several times in succession, you will likely flush out a lot of junk. If the anode rod looks badly pitted (or is missing), replace it with a new one. They only last a year or two.

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