Sulfur smell

[Fatbinki]

Help!! I have a 2001 chinook destiny 2400. When I am connected up to a freshwater supply (not from the holding tank) the water coming out of my sink faucet as well as bathroom faucet smell of sulfur to the point I don’t even want to use it. I’ve resorted to carry in a 5 gallon jug of distilled water for drinking, cooking, for the dogs, even for washing dishes. Is there Someway I can clean out/flush the freshwater system? Is there a filter somewhere that needs to be changed? The smell is really bad. Thanks

[chin_k]

Sounds like the water sit in the pipe for too long, and you have the black bacteria growing there. You can check the pipe and be able to see the inside wall have a black film. I would try to use mild bleach solution, and fill the entire pressurized part (not the holding tank and the water pump) and let it sit for a few hours, and then flush it out. Try to look for instruction for how to sanitize the pressurized water system.

I assume you do not have the white Moen faucet? I think it has a filter inside the sprout, but not too sure.

[SMan]

Could be related to the anode in the hot water tank. They are known to react with bacteria and produce the rotten egg smell. Bleach and or peroxide to sanitize the system would be my suggestion.

To be honest in all the RV's I've had over 40 years I have never relied on drinking water from any RV system and have always used bottled water.

[dougm]

i second that.... you simply can no longer trust government or even local government for anything. We have allowed imbeciles and halfwits to take control of everything, just look at what went on in michigan with their drinking water, it was full of lead for at least a decade and the local officicials merely covered it up and got caught. I carry two 7 gallon jugs full of drinking water at all times, if i had room i would carry more. I will shower with RV water but i wont consume it or brush my teeth with it. Point being... you can have the cleanest Rv water system on the planet and it isnt going to matter if you fill it with water thats already contaminated with something.

[Blue~Go]

It's puzzling that it does it when you are connected to "city" water, but not when you use water from the onboard tank. At least on my Concourse, there is only such a tiny bit of the system that wouldn't be common to both of those: That would be the check valve at the city water connection, and about 4' of pex tubing that goes from the city fill to the tank. Everything else is common to both the onboard tank system AND the city water (at least on my Concourse).

So.... thoughts:

1) I suppose it's possible the "city" water has a sulfur smell, but that would only be probable if you had only ever used one specific "city" water source. Sounds like this is ongoing with different sources.

2) Or it could be something that just happens to coincide with campground use, so it seems like it's only on city water. Like say what was mentioned above about the water heater anode, and maybe you just happen to only use the water heater when you are also on city water (but it would happen on tank water too if you tried it that way).

There is a filter on the water pump, but that's used on tank water and NOT city water, as far as I know (don't use city water myself - even if I'm at a campground I fill my tank and then use that with my onboard system).

I'm not as sceptical about public water (or maybe you could say I don't trust bottled water or etc. any more than most public supplies). I go on the assumption that something like Flint is an exception. Not that I'm not careful, but at least I vary my source constantly so if there is something I only ingest it occasionally.

But... here is something that I'm always surprised is just accepted. The tank vent. So there is a plastic tube that leads to the outdoors on the outside lower section of the rig, and EVERY time you use tank water, air is being sucked through that tube into your water tank. Ewwww. They are usually black with mold (no surprise), and if you are someplace where there is a truck idling, or.... whatever is out there .... into the tank it goes!

I prefer to have the vent inside (up high obviously). I think there are filters you can put on them but I don't know exactly which ones (I should re-research that now that the Internet is older). I put a section of gauze over the end (plus it's inside). But I do drink public water, so we obviously each have our "things."

[Fatbinki]

Blue, you are right on. after a little research I was able to locate the anode rod, and managed to get it out… It is quite corroded and the water coming out of the hot water tank was quite disgusting. Now to go to my local RV dealer to get a new rod and a flushing want to flush out the tank. Any suggestions on how to refill the hot water heater? In any case, so far so good and I’m feeling quite proud of myself !!

[Fatbinki]

As a follow up to all who replied.....after much research, I was pretty convinced the sulphur smell was coming from the hot water heater. As instructed for my model water heater (Suburban), I took out the anode rod which was corroded and pretty gross. I went to my local RV dealer and purchased a new anode rod along with a flushing attachment for the garden hose. I flushed out the hot water tank and some pretty gross black sludge and particles came out. I flushed till clean. Wrapped the new anode rod w teflon tape, inserted and ratcheted it back into place, turned on the water and voila!!! No more sulphur smell!!! As a single woman, I am so happy and proud that I was able to do this myself and solve the problem. Don't ever let any problem get the best of you!!! You can do it!!!!

[chin_k]

What size socket did you end up using? I tried to remove the anode rod a few weeks ago, and I don't have anything that fits in my socket drawer. I think I need a 1-1/16, but need to confirm. Thanx.

[Blue~Go]

So glad you found the problem and got it taken care of. Yay!

By the way, it was Sman who first mentioned the anode rod and deserves credit - not sure I would have thought of that (but once he mentioned it, it did sound like a really good lead so I put it in my list of thoughts).

I can't remember which size socket, and I'm away from my big tool box. However 1-1/16" sounds totally plausible. I can just "see" that I have both that size and a 1-1/8" in my tool box for the Chinook and I think the 1-1/8" might have been for the simulator lug nuts...

[caconcourse]

What size socket did you end up using? I tried to remove the anode rod a few weeks ago, and I don't have anything that fits in my socket drawer. I think I need a 1-1/16, but need to confirm. Thanx.

I have a set of "cowbell" sockets that plumbers use, and one of those is the correct size (probably is 1 1/16"). It also fits the wheel cover removal nuts, so the tiny "lug wrench" that comes with the wheel covers is probably also the right size.

Here is the link to the "cowbells". Very handy to own, and only about $7:

https://www.amazon.com/Eastman-45041-Pl ... B00065DMHC