Wrknrvr Posted March 17, 2015 Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 Customer just purchased a used fifth wheel and came south for a trip. The water heater had moth balls in it and he cannot get the smell out of it. It was winterized then they were put in there. After a lot of water and two doses of dish soap it still has a smell. I just talked to him about it and looking what to do. Maybe pull the element to see if they have dissolved much. Just curious if anyone else had this situation and what they did. safe Travels, Vern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpydoc Posted March 17, 2015 Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 Moth balls used to be made of naphthalene but now are more likely made of para dichlorobenzene. Both are poorly soluble in water so removal with just water will be very difficult. Organic solvents will be required to dissolve the moth balls but such solvents carry many risks including flammability in many cases and toxicity. If the moth balls are not easily removed mechanically then replacing the heater might be the safest approach to the problem. Best wishes, Jay 2015 Continental Coach Elegance by Forks RV, 41'; 2015 FL M2 112, DD 13, by 2L Custom Trucks; Trailer Saver air hitch; '48 Navigoddess with a Rand McNally GPS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat & Pete Posted March 17, 2015 Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 I must have missed that class ... Why would anyone put moth balls in a water heater ? Goes around , comes around . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skp51443 Posted March 17, 2015 Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 P&P, The dreaded aluminum eating moth, I think I remember hearing about them in a Japanese movie. :-) Saving the heater is going to be a real problem, worse if the mothball stink has permeated the plumbing as just fixing the heater is not going to do the trick. Pulling the heater and flushing it, a vinegar soak to remove any buildup that will hold the mothball residue and finally a good cleaning with some solvent (no clue which) that will remove the mothballs while not leaving behind something worse. Cleaning the plumbing you'll also have to pick a solvent that is safe for the plastic and metal fittings. Maybe just junk the heater and pray the plumbing is salvageable? First rule of computer consulting: Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day. Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaH Posted March 17, 2015 Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 If the moth balls are not easily removed mechanically then replacing the heater might be the safest approach to the problem. Replacing the water heater would certainly be MY choice! LindaH 2014 Winnebago Aspect 27K 2011 Kia Soul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaH Posted March 17, 2015 Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 Why would anyone put moth balls in a water heater ? Because the salesman told them it would be OK? LindaH 2014 Winnebago Aspect 27K 2011 Kia Soul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimalberta Posted March 17, 2015 Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 I must have missed that class ... Why would anyone put moth balls in a water heater ? X2...have never heard of this. The crazy things people do... <p>....JIM and LINDA......2001 American Eagle 40 '.towing a GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 with RZR in the rear. 1999 JEEP Cherokee that we tow as well. IT IS A CONTENTED MAN WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE SCENERY ALONG A DETOUR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted March 17, 2015 Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 Since mothballs are designed to kill bugs, I'd doubt that odor is the biggest part of the problem they create. I assume that you are certain that they really are mothballs and not just residue of the mineral buildup that happens if you don't flush the tank, along with some other sort of nasty odor? Not only would I wonder why someone put them into the water heater, but did he poke them in through the drain somehow? That is certainly a new one to me! Rereading your post, it sounds like they are not completely removed yet. One of the plastic flushing wands should be able to wash them out via the drain. Use water with a good pressure and flush well... Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KodiakJack Posted March 17, 2015 Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 Why speculate? Look inside to find out what you are dealing with. Here's the first bore scope that popped up on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Endoscope-Borescope-Inspection-Camera/dp/B007UZ6RVO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426618200&sr=8-1&keywords=fiber+camera Later, J 2012 Landmark, San Antonio 2013 Silverado CC, 3500HD, Duramax, DRW, 4x4 Backup, side and hitch cameras, Tireminder TPMS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimalberta Posted March 17, 2015 Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 Harbor Frieght has them if you just want an el cheapo....they work though. <p>....JIM and LINDA......2001 American Eagle 40 '.towing a GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 with RZR in the rear. 1999 JEEP Cherokee that we tow as well. IT IS A CONTENTED MAN WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE SCENERY ALONG A DETOUR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris-n-Dennis Posted March 17, 2015 Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 White vinegar is your friend. Dissolves the balls and can clean the electrode - I would replace the electrode afterwards anyway but a "coffee urn" flushing with the vinegar may be just the ticket. Berkshire XL 40QL Camphosting and touring Our blog: cndtravels.blogspot.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat & Pete Posted March 17, 2015 Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 in any case , I'd be draining the tank , for sure . There should be a heater tank drain low enough to evacuate the moth balls . Turn the heating element off first , bypass the water heater water feed and undo the drain plug . Careful , watch for water spray when the plug is about to come out . If some balls remain after a complete empty , simply return the water feed to the tank and plug the drain hole with your hand for a few seconds and release . You may have to repeat . Goes around , comes around . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilishjim Posted March 18, 2015 Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 Wonder what's in the holding tanks Jim Spence 2000 Dodge 3500 1 ton QC 4x4 dually 5.9 diesel LB BD exhaust brake, 6 spd manual trans 34CKTS Cedar Creek 5er, Trail-Air hitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phaeton10 Posted March 18, 2015 Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 I just wonder if this 5vr is a repo? Previous owner making sure no one else will use it. I think I would be going back to the dealer for a refund. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrknrvr Posted March 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 Yes this is different as I never seen this done before. I told the customer to wait a few minutes and I would post on the forum. The DW was not dressed so I went in to the computer and when I went out he was not outside. Never did see him later in the campground. I had three refrigerator's to work on yesterday and then be cooking at 4:30 pm for guest. If I do see him again I will post as to what happens. Thanks for all the help. Never a dull moment, Vern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chirakawa Posted March 18, 2015 Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 How did he determine the water heater had moth balls in it? What brand water heater is it? The only reasonable way to put moth balls in a water heater is to remove the drain plug (anode on a Suburban) and stuff them in. If he removes the drain plug and then turns the water on to the trailer, most everything in the water heater will flush out after a while. You can also use one of the flushing wands to speed up the process. I don't see how the moth balls could have contaminated the piping, since as someone pointed out the moth balls don't dissolve in water very well. I would give the water heater a good flushing and then use the system. Maybe not drink from it for a few months. I certainly wouldn't replace the water heater based on this. Incidentally, I flush my water heater twice a year and it needs it. The mineral deposits which come out of there are pretty impressive in quantity and consistency. It may be that the gunk (mineral deposits) in the water heater is what holds the stink of the moth balls and a good flushing will remove both the moth ball residue and the odor. Everybody wanna hear the truth, but everybody tell a lie. Everybody wanna go to Heaven, but nobody want to die. Albert King Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whj469 Posted March 18, 2015 Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 Has anybody stated as to the reason why you would put moth balls in a water heater? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjim Posted March 18, 2015 Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 whj, see post 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jor Posted March 19, 2015 Report Share Posted March 19, 2015 As someone else mentioned, I wonder if it could be just an abundance of residue in the tank rather than mothballs. Check out these photos of my 20 year old hot water tank that I cut open upon removal. jor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted March 19, 2015 Report Share Posted March 19, 2015 As someone else mentioned, I wonder if it could be just an abundance of residue in the tank rather than mothballs. Check out these photos of my 20 year old hot water tank that I cut open upon removal. Good pictures! I can't recall having seen one cut open before, but have flushed that sort of thing out of more than one water heaters. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjim Posted March 19, 2015 Report Share Posted March 19, 2015 It is my experience that mothballs and flakes have a distintictive odor. I wouldn't necessarily put the stuff that flushed out right up to my nose and take a big whiff but I might try and get it a foot or so away and maybe do a gentle sniff. I don't recommend that to anyone else but I might do it that way although in my experience you can smell that stuff from at least 5-6 ft away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whj469 Posted March 19, 2015 Report Share Posted March 19, 2015 When the outside dogs on my ranch started to chew on the hoses and wires under my truck, I used mothballs spread around and under the truck to stop them. It works but you must spread more after a few days to keep the away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrknrvr Posted March 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2015 I found the person that has the mothball problem. Lets just say someone had to do it just so we could talk about it. I will follow up on what he is doing as he is suppose to be in the park for a few weeks yet. He has put some dish washing aid and soap in the hot water heater to try and clean it out. Thanks, Vern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 Those pictures are show the reason water heaters should be flushed thoroughly every year. Every year when I drain my house water heater there is about a cup of mineral flakes on the ground at the end of the hose; and I have a whole-house water softener. 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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