Stinks of Eggs

[jonny boy]

Hi All,

It has become apparent to me and the dog that the blaming of each other is un founded and the culprit is one of the batteries lol when we are driving and slow down the strong smell of rotten eggs emits into the van ( sulphur dioxide ) Question does this mean one of my batteries is F***** or am i still good to go?? i have one battery under the drivers seat one under the hand brake area one in the engine bay i think its the one under the seat how can i check it.... as now im getting paranoid that i need to replace it lol... its a man thing i recon!!
Next question anyone no of anywhere to stop near Colchester in Essex?? as i am there most weeks plying my trade.
3rd question ny fridge seems not to be working on 12v when i am driving but working fine on hook up and gas???? HELP!!
Stay safe everyone and il look out for you all

Jonny boy

 

[pokerking]

remembering O'level chemistry (grade C) 1965, bad eggs is H2S hydrogen sulphide not SO2 sulphur dioxide. I still think the dog's more likely to be the cause. Is he chortling like Mutley??

 

[Deleted member 207]

I'd be more inclined to look for a gas problem (as in gas cooker/gas bottle/gas fridge) - LPG always has that strong odour and even a very very small escape of gas can smell like a toilet in a curry house. The mercaptins that are used to put odour in LPG can be smelt long before the gas leak gets to dangerous.

Usual suspect is the pressure regulator when turned on/off, next is any tap, then pipe joints. A gas plumber should be able to test the gas system and find the leak in a few minutes with the right test equipment.

If its not that try a cork in the dog and see if it solves the problem, if not then I guess you may have to insert the cork in yourself and see if the dog perks up when around you!!

 

[robert b]

ive heard if you have a catalitic convertor exhaust they smell like bad eggs when they are knackerd dont no if your van has one fitted.

 

[bob690]

I think I,d go for the sink pipes myself, movement could cause the smell from the pipes to be pushed into the van, put some bleach down or put the plugs in, no not in youselves, the sinks...bob

 

[hogan]

First I would take off battery caps and check electrolyte levels if low top them up put batts on charge and see if the fluid is boiling,if so batt could be Bugg**d.
Having said that we had the same smell a few years ago, I was sure it was a battery boiling,then I blamed it on the Spanish sewer system,after a few niffs around i found that is was foul water in the waste tank,when i opened the drain valve the smell proved it.Try this first as it is the easiest to cure.

 

[lenny]

Hiya Jonnyboy, you say the smell is apparent when you slow down, could it be that your grey water tank is not empty and the dirty water is sloshing aroud and forcing the smell up the shower and sink plugholes.

It could be that when you last drained this tank and the water stopped flowing, the outlet pipe could have got blocked up, giving you the impression that the tank is empty.

 

[guerdeval]

Hi Jonny Boy, you may have a very dangerous situation here, a battery can explode !! , what you have is overcharging, get it checked immediately and yes they stink of rotten eggs, next time it happens check how hot the battery is but don't put your face near it, they blow up without warning.

 

[Telstar]

12v fridge

Jonny Boy, how do you know your fridge isn't working? I think the 12v whilst running is more of an attempt to maintain the already cooling effect rather than to make it cold.

I think that I read somewhere that you are better running it on gas, then change to either 240v or 12v. The heat provided by the gas burner being more effective than electric. (Note I said "I think", I am not an expert, not at this anyway!)

If you are not getting electric to the fridge whilst running start with checking fuses. Failing that sorting it, you are into relays or even the fridge itself.

Jon

 

[Deleted member 775]

Hi Jonny Boy, you may have a very dangerous situation here, a battery can explode !! , what you have is overcharging, get it checked immediately and yes they stink of rotten eggs, next time it happens check how hot the battery is but don't put your face near it, they blow up without warning.

that is a distinct possibillity do get the charging checked hopefully it may be something different but do look on the safe side

 

[pwrigley]

Hi,
Personally I would look at the smell coming from the waste tank – bacteria growth especially the warmer the weather!
I only mention this as we hired a Tribute last August – and after a few days the smell in the separate bathroom area was rather pungent to say the least – and the wife denied all responsibility!!.
Having then put the plugs in the shower basin and kitchen sink and ventilating the van the smell dispersed – we then bought some cheapo disinfectant from a local supermarket and he presto the smell went away – but just as precaution we kept plugs in place went not in use.
We now own our own van (Timberland Freedom) and follow this simple rule and have no problems. Personally I would stay away from the bleach angle as if you do not flush the tank out fairly quickly after application you could damage either the tank or pipe work as bleach is quite a corrosive cleaning agent, also the bleach smell can be quite overpowering if left in the tank as opposed to a pine or other fragrant disinfectant smell and it is the bacteria you are killing – hope this helps?

 

[jonny boy]

Hi Guys,,

Thanks for all the advice it is coming from the under seat battery as i have disenfected all tanks over winter and they are currently empty... the smell is a lot better but i shall be checking all electrolite levels this weekend when i get home... still not sure of the fridge problem though.
Take care all of you see you around

Jonny