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Topic: Atomized oil smell (Read 520 times) previous topic - next topic

Atomized oil smell

For lack of better words.
My wife told me that she got up last night and smelled something strange. Tonight as I lay in bed I have smelled something strange from the rear a/c. It seems to be more notable when the a/c turns on.
Do these RV a/c's Have oil in the refrigerant lines?
The a/c has been working fine. We've been running the generator for about 36 hrs straight. Don't or haven't noticed anything during the day.
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Atomized oil smell

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Lt403 –
1. Tonight as I lay in bed I have smelled something strange from the rear a/c. It seems to be more notable when the a/c turns on.
2. Do these RV a/c's Have oil in the refrigerant lines?

1. It could be the "wet pet smell" this is caused by dirty evaporator coils. Any home improvement store has coil cleaner.  Here is a link to a DIY for this Clean roof air conditioner evaporator coil
2. All compressor refrigeration systems have oil in the compressor. Some small amounts can be in the lines.  If you have an oil leak out of a line you are also loosing Freon. If this is the case you will have loss of cooling.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Atomized oil smell

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Lt403 –
For lack of better words.

The a/c has been working fine. We've been running the generator for about 36 hrs straight. Don't or haven't noticed anything during the day.

Diesel generator?
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Atomized oil smell

Reply #3 –
What altitude are you? Non-turbo diesel generators will put out a foul oil odor starting at 4000 or so becoming visible around 7000 feet.

P
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Atomized oil smell

Reply #4 –
If the rooftop A/C unit internal covers are properly sealed, they should not suck outside air (and any attendant odors) into the coach.  Even if the genny was making smelly exhaust, I'm guessing the only way it would get into the coach would be through a open window.

If the odd odor seems to be coming from the A/C unit, it probably is the "funky wet dog smell" mentioned by Mike.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Atomized oil smell

Reply #5 –
 Good evening everyone ,
 Daisy and I have been traveling from South Bend heading towards Georgia so no major elevation to report.
 We have not experienced any loss of cooling thank God as it has been very hot outside these last few days .
 All of our windows have been closed and I have checked up on the generator exhaust and I honestly  don't think that is the culprit .
 I will be putting the coil cleaning on my to do list .
 Thank you everyone for your input .
Frank
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH