We have had a nasty whiff in our Suntor bathroom - it is not there generally eg when driving etc but when on site it is very noticable, we have used every drain cleaner going and must have the cleanest pipes out there, however smell persists. Brainwave ...eventually, as we realised it is only when the gas is on. Now , our habit has been to turn on the gas every time we are on site and leave it on throughout our stay, but we now know by trying it that if we turn off gas , the smell goes. So,... what we need to know now is, is this normal in that bathroom is beside gas tanks and it is only a residual smell or should we be concerned? PS We have put our gas alarm in the bathroom with the door shut and although we can smell the whiff it does not register on the gas alarm.
When you turn the gas of does the regulator come right off the bottle or do you just turn off a tap on the reg and leave it in place?
If the regulator comes off the bottle you would expect an escape of gas as it disconects. If the regulater stays in place there shoudn't be any escape.
You also say that once there the smell persists. That suggests that it is either a small escape of gas that is then trapped in the area or that the escape is more continuous.
You gas moniter will detect if the amount of gas in the air rises above a certain level, it would not neccissarily trigger for a continuous leak that was being continuously vented as the levals would not build up.
I would realy check out the gas pipes and fittings in the area. .
many thanks for "swift" reply,no idea about regulators will ask hubby when he gets up( on nights), good advice, we thought we would ask when goes in for mot next month but thought we would check in case anyone knew if this was common and that perhaps gas should only be switched on when using it. Thanks again, Sniffy!
I am off for the weekend now so I won't be around to answer further. I am sure someone else will help though if you need it.
I would just say that it needs investigating further, best not to take chances.
Even the slight escapes when changing bottles etc should be able to freely exit the bottom of the van and shouldn't leave a continuous smell.. Make sure the "drop out" vents (you do have some?) are clear.
I suspect you have a leak somewhere in the area, probably slight as your moniter isn't triggered, but could be worse and not triggering because it is escaping as quick as it leaks.
Not sure that your MOT people will be interested or the best people to sort it.
Not unusual and no need to panic but I would get it found and fixed asap.
Best way to check for gas leaks and very simple is to use a few drops of washing up fluid in a container re, half glass of tepid water and a small half inch brush, soap up all the gas connections and IF one of them shows signs of bubbles check for its tightness, for god sake DO NOT LOOK FOR A GAS LEAK WITH A NAKED FLAME. Hope this helps and let us now how you get on.
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Topic: nasty smell
billy 
