Truma heating smell?

[Craig Mileo]

Help please guys
I've recently purchased a 2017 Benimar MH privately and noticed a slightly unpleasant smell in the unit. So, I assumed the previous owners were perhaps not overly particular with their cleaning. Consequently I went through the complete MH meticulously cleaning every part - including removal of all of the fitted covers washing and replacing, scrubbing out the cooker, fridge, sanitising the grey and freshwater tanks, Thetford cassette unit etc etc - I did happen to find that one of the 2 wastes in shower tray was blocked and assumed this was the culprit so I unblocked and cleaned it through – unfortunately all to no avail and the smell persists.
Anyway, I am now thinking the smell seems to be emanating from the Truma heating system. Has anybody else experienced this? Are there any cures or do I just have to accept it as part of the operation this equipment?
Any help you could give would be very much appreciated
Craig

 

[Zigisla]

Unfortunately there is a smell from all truma units especially if heating water only with gas. It is because the boiler gets so hot it produces that smell. I find water and heating smells far less.

 

[Craig Mileo]

Unfortunately there is a smell from all truma units especially if heating water only with gas. It is because the boiler gets so hot it produces that smell. I find water and heating smells far less.

Ok thanks for that. The smell does seem to be residual and I'm not sure if the previous owners did this. Since I have owned it (not long!) I have had both the water and heating on and (apart from initially trying the gas operation to check it works) I have only used mains electric. Still the smelisn't so bad that it wont be suopercedded with a take-out currry

 

[Zigisla]

The gas burner is far hotter than the 2 electric ones. It does subside when the water is hot though.

 

[tonyidle]

Maybe something died in the blower trunking?

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[Craig Mileo]

You reckon, oh dear - I'll definitely have to check that one out

 

[TinaLes]

Have read of this problem on another forum in the past.
It was even more apparent if the current/previous owners had dogs in the van, as they shed lots of hair etc.
I wish I could remeber how they sorted the problem, but we dont have dogs so didn't absorb the remedy.
Its always makes me smile when I read that 9/10 second hand vans for sale state non smokers, no dogs.
Les

 

[Craig Mileo]

Hmm well they were definitely non-smokers - but they did also have a pet dog that travelled with them - another reason for my intense (if unsuccessful) cleaning regime

 

[Landy Andy]

They all smell when you fire them up after they haven’t been used for a while.

 

[clanjones]

As other people have said Truma's can give a slight burning smell which is very alarming! Truma even confirmed it! The smell does not linger, so if you have a residual smell I would suggest it is something else.

I used the dyson to suck any dust from the heating vent pipes and around the boiler and I do find that after a couple of days use the Truma stops produing any noticable odour. It is like a burnt electrical smell so if your 'smell' is not like that, then it may well not be the Truma!

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[Podney]

Unfortunately there is a smell from all truma units especially if heating water only with gas. It is because the boiler gets so hot it produces that smell. I find water and heating smells far less.

Dead mouse in the system somewhere?

 

[Landy Andy]

Put all the plugs in all the drain holes. Fire the heating up and run it flat out for an hour. Then see what happens with smell.

 

[TheBig1]

they all smell to a certain extent, however a strong odour may be bacteria related. some people have had good results with a can of car air con steriliser

 

[Craig Mileo]

As other people have said Truma's can give a slight burning smell which is very alarming! Truma even confirmed it! The smell does not linger, so if you have a residual smell I would suggest it is something else.

I used the dyson to suck any dust from the heating vent pipes and around the boiler and I do find that after a couple of days use the Truma stops produing any noticable odour. It is like a burnt electrical smell so if your 'smell' is not like that, then it may well not be the Truma!

That's interesting - I'll certainly give that a go. Thank you

 

[Craig Mileo]

Dead mouse in the system somewhere?

We don't have mice in Essex! (just rats wearing Dr Martens )

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[JohnJan]

As above from TheBig1, this sort of product, normally used if the aircon is blowing smelly air

 

[Craig Mileo]

they all smell to a certain extent, however a strong odour may be bacteria related. some people have had good results with a can of car air con steriliser

Never heard that one - certainly something else I'll try

 

[Craig Mileo]

Put all the plugs in all the drain holes. Fire the heating up and run it flat out for an hour. Then see what happens with smell.

Great that's definitely another one I'll try

 

[Lenny HB]

Only ever had a smell from a Combi the first few times it's used from brand new.
Check the 4 ducting pipes are connected to the boiler as if one comes off it will be blowing hot aire to its surroundings and can overheat. Also if too many of the ducting outlets are closed they can overheat.

 

[Craig Mileo]

Wow something else I've learnt, all you guys on this site are all so knowledgeable and helpful. Thank you

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[Dirtyhands]

This is a very common problem with the newer Truma combi boilers. The way to solve it is to put a ‘u’ into the ducting pipe work between the heater and the vents. I had a chat with the tech guys from Truma and it was their recommendation, it does work.

 

[Allanm]

Smells can be difficult to locate, we had an unpleasant smell in our RV when we had it. It turned out to be the bedroom carpet and we only noticed when the heating was on. One of the vents must have been warming up the smelly patch and blowing the odour around the van.
We replaced it and the smell went. Can you describe the smell? We have a Combi 6 and apart from a slight smell for a few minutes when it was new, we get zero odours from it.
One of our previous vans, with a Combi 4 occasionally had a hot plasticky smell if it was turned up high, but i think that was because it had only two outlets and they got very hot.
If you get your nose close to one of the heater outlets, if it’s not too hot, is the smell stronger?

Do you have carpets or mats in the van? If you do, can you remove them then see if the smell diminishes or goes completely?

 

[Craig Mileo]

This is a very common problem with the newer Truma combi boilers. The way to solve it is to put a ‘u’ into the ducting pipe work between the heater and the vents. I had a chat with the tech guys from Truma and it was their recommendation, it does work.

How interesting I will definitely try that. I have reduced the smell somewhat (but not entirely) as suggested by somebody previously I found that one of the circular vent flaps was stuck shut, and the plastic gave off a noticeable smell when it became hot.

 

[Craig Mileo]

Smells can be difficult to locate, we had an unpleasant smell in our RV when we had it. It turned out to be the bedroom carpet and we only noticed when the heating was on. One of the vents must have been warming up the smelly patch and blowing the odour around the van.
We replaced it and the smell went. Can you describe the smell? We have a Combi 6 and apart from a slight smell for a few minutes when it was new, we get zero odours from it.
One of our previous vans, with a Combi 4 occasionally had a hot plasticky smell if it was turned up high, but i think that was because it had only two outlets and they got very hot.
If you get your nose close to one of the heater outlets, if it’s not too hot, is the smell stronger?

Do you have carpets or mats in the van? If you do, can you remove them then see if the smell diminishes or goes completely?

No I removed the carpets from day one, as being a walker they were impractical. The smell is definitely coming from the heater ducting. But I do have a couple of remedies I have yet to try from other contributors. I feel pretty sure one or more of their suggestions will sort it. When I have done so I will post my findings; but thanks for your input.