Furnace Issues

[azpopup17]

My furnace worked flawlessly on the first two trips we used the camper.  We took it to Yellowstone (Flagg Ranch) where the temps got below freezing and the fan decided it wanted to start "squealing like a pig".  It would start when fan first the turned on and would slowly dissapate or in some cases it continued for the duration it ran.  I am a light sleeper so this was rather annoying.  The other thing I noticed is there seemed to be a subtle LPG smell coming from the unit after it ran.  The LPG smell only happend at Flagg Ranch wherer it is 6900ft.  This did not happen at two other RV sites we stayed at which were at lower elevations.  The detector never went off.  Mine has the Atwood 15k BTU unit.  I am guessing this is a fairely common furnace in the PU world.

Has anyone experienced either one of these issues?  If so how did you correct it?  

Thanks for any feedback.

[wavery]

My furnace worked flawlessly on the first two trips we used the camper.  We took it to Yellowstone (Flagg Ranch) where the temps got below freezing and the fan decided it wanted to start "squealing like a pig".  It would start when fan first the turned on and would slowly dissapate or in some cases it continued for the duration it ran.  I am a light sleeper so this was rather annoying.  The other thing I noticed is there seemed to be a subtle LPG smell coming from the unit after it ran.  The LPG smell only happend at Flagg Ranch wherer it is 6900ft.  This did not happen at two other RV sites we stayed at which were at lower elevations.  The detector never went off.  Mine has the Atwood 15k BTU unit.  I am guessing this is a fairely common furnace in the PU world.

Has anyone experienced either one of these issues?  If so how did you correct it?  

Thanks for any feedback.

The fan shaft bushing is probably either worn out or has a bit of corrosion on it.

If it is a ware issue, a small squirt of white lithium grease (you can get it in a spray or tube) may do the trick for a long time.

My guess is that it may more likely be a corrosion issue. In that case, you will want to spray the shaft with a rust-penetrate (WD40 will probably do). Run the fan (with the gas shut off) for at least 5 minutes. Spray it again, let it sit and run the fan again. After that, you will want to put the white lithium grease on it. WD40 is NOT a lubricant. I know that they advertise it as being but trust me......it isn't. The WD40 will surely eliminate the noise temporarily but the white lithium grease should give you a more permanent fix.

If you can avoid the WD40, it may be good to do so, unless you like the smell of that stuff :p .

[aw738]

Posted by wavery - 06-15-2007 at 09:31 PM

The fan shaft bushing is probably either worn out or has a bit of corrosion on it.

If it is a ware issue, a small squirt of white lithium grease (you can get it in a spray or tube) may do the trick for a long time.

My guess is that it may more likely be a corrosion issue. In that case, you will want to spray the shaft with a rust-penetrate (WD40 will probably do). Run the fan (with the gas shut off) for at least 5 minutes. Spray it again, let it sit and run the fan again. After that, you will want to put the white lithium grease on it. WD40 is NOT a lubricant. I know that they advertise it as being but trust me......it isn't. The WD40 will surely eliminate the noise temporarily but the white lithium grease should give you a more permanent fix.

If you can avoid the WD40, it may be good to do so, unless you like the smell of that stuff  .

I like this stuff but it really does stink. You sould be able to find it at most auto parts stores like Advance Auto Parts (shameless plug) and Wal-Mart.

PB Penetrating Catalyst

[flyfisherman]

My furnace worked flawlessly on the first two trips we used the camper.  We took it to Yellowstone (Flagg Ranch) where the temps got below freezing and the fan decided it wanted to start "squealing like a pig".  It would start when fan first the turned on and would slowly dissapate or in some cases it continued for the duration it ran.  I am a light sleeper so this was rather annoying.  The other thing I noticed is there seemed to be a subtle LPG smell coming from the unit after it ran.  The LPG smell only happend at Flagg Ranch wherer it is 6900ft.  This did not happen at two other RV sites we stayed at which were at lower elevations.  The detector never went off.  Mine has the Atwood 15k BTU unit.  I am guessing this is a fairely common furnace in the PU world.

Has anyone experienced either one of these issues?  If so how did you correct it?  

Thanks for any feedback.

Just a couple of thoughts ... when the main L/P tank starts to get low you'll get a wiff of propane around the front of the camper. Have no idea if your tank was getting a little on the low side but something to keep in mind in the future. And I wonder if the altitude would have any bearing?

If you could lube the fan shaft with a little WD-40 (and I have no idea if they can be lubricated or not), go ahead and give it a little spray or two.  WD-40 is a penetrant and with most of these type products the base ingredient is kereosene; and WD-40 does contain a tad of silicone to give it some lubricating
qualities. I should think if a little WD-40 ended the squeaks, then followed by a little 100% silicone spray, would take care of it for the season anyway.



Fly

[azpopup17]

Thanks for the info.  I am guessing a little corrosion might be the issue since the PU has not had much use, so I was told.  Considering all the rain and associated humidity we drove through, it may have contributed.    I will give the lubrication a try.

I am guessing you need to pull out the unit to do this.  It does not look to complicated to do.

[pershingd]

Since no one has touched on this, I thought I'd toss this into the mix...

At 6,900 ft, the furnace may have trouble firing up and thus causing the LP smell. I would check the owner's manual for the furnace and see what it says about high altitude operation. This is supported by the fact that it resumed normal operation when you went to lower altitudes.

I grew at nearly that altitude and camped even higher. Our furnaces and such were modified to operate at the higher altitudes so we didn't have any problems, but there was always someone from the low lands that showed up in the campground and couldn't keep the appliances running.

When we bought our pup, I was rather surprised at how quickly my appliances would have trouble if I camped in my old stomping grounds.

David