Jim Corey Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 A few months ago I posted that my Atwood furnace in my Monaco Monarch seemed to be letting fumes into the coach. Following the responses, and with more research, I concluded that the problem might be a cracked combustion chamber. I couldn't take action immediately, but the coach was in storage and unused. Now for the followup. I removed the furnace -- not a simple task. Like so much else, they seemed to have built the coach around the furnace! When I got the unit out, and tilted it on its side to inspect, an acorn dropped out of the exhaust port. A well-singed acorn. I removed the little grill from the exhaust, and more burned acorns came out. It was obvious what the fumes were: not from heating, but from roasting the acorns. The coach had been parked where there were oak trees and woodpeckers. The birds found a great storage spot in the furnace. I made an attachment for my shop vac to extract the remaining acorn pieces, reinstalled the furnace, and was treated to a warm coach with no fumes. I am installing a finer mesh exhaust port screen, and adding a routine inspection to my to-do list. I might suggest that this be a logical addition to these furnaces. Jim Corey 2006 Monaco Monarch 30 pdd '12 Honda CRV toad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDirectionHome Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 I would not recommend anything coarser than 1/4" x 1/4" mesh screen. "There are No Experts, Do the Math!" 2014 Freightliner Cascadia DD16 600hp 1850ft-lb 18spd 3.31 260"wb SpaceCraft S-470 SKP #131740 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJTroy Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 I'm sorry that you went through all that, but oh how funny a problem to have. You'll have a story to tell for a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 I suggest that you use one of the factory made ones that are stainless steel and won't rust up and slowly plug the holes, inhibiting the free flow of combustion air. I like the one that I got from Camco, but there are several others available from Amazon or other sources. 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...
Kevin H Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 I'd still be curious how the fumes of the roasting acorns were getting inside the rig. Since they were in the combustion chamber, the smell should have been exhausted to the outside. The richest are not those who have the most, but those who need the least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 I'd still be curious how the fumes of the roasting acorns were getting inside the rig. Since they were in the combustion chamber, the smell should have been exhausted to the outside. Good point. Make very sure that you have a working CO alarm. 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...
Jim Corey Posted April 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 The Camco screen is the one I'm going to use. I do have working detectors. As for the smell entering the coach, can only conclude that it's like going past a feedlot. But the exhaust tube was blocked. Of course, checked ducts for leaks. Jim Corey 2006 Monaco Monarch 30 pdd '12 Honda CRV toad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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