furnace smell

[bill and theresa]

Lit off my furnace today and I have a heavy after burn smell. Not propane but smell of burning propane. I have never had this smell before, Have not run furnace since last winter. heated camper fine but the smell is horrible. I am thinking of pulling the furnace and checking firebox for leaks. Its a 2008 ultra light and has a surburban heater. Any thoughts before I tear into it tomorrow,

[Gizmo0706]

Could it be the smell of the dust burning off from non use? My furnace at home does the same thing at the beginning of the heating season.

[pwrstroke2012]

More than likely it is a "first start up of season smell" It should go away after a bit, if not, I would check it. We get several calls at the beginning of heating season of a foreign odor and it typically is just dust that settles on elements.Never heard of it being called a horrible smell though. Just make sure your CO detector and LP detector and smoke detectors are functioning properly.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Gizmo0706

Could it be the smell of the dust burning off from non use? My furnace at home does the same thing at the beginning of the heating season.

Yes, my guess as well.

While there is NO air transfer between the combustion air and the air that gets pushed into the cabin, "hot dust" smells like it is burning. The initial fire up will push the dust that collects on the fan cage and the duct work into the camper.

[bill and theresa]

Well I am stubborn and pulled the furnace. Not a big job anyway. It was very dusty and other than that heat exchanger looked new but dusty. I took a nylon bottle brush and some computer dust blower(which set off the propane alarm) now I know it works. After I cleaned every thing including spiders and webs in the combustion air intake It smells much better and I feel better.Next time I will listen to you guys. I was really concerned that the heat exchanger may be leaking. NOT

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by bill and theresa

Well I am stubborn and pulled the furnace. Not a big job anyway. It was very dusty and other than that heat exchanger looked new but dusty. I took a nylon bottle brush and some computer dust blower(which set off the propane alarm) now I know it works. After I cleaned every thing including spiders and webs in the combustion air intake It smells much better and I feel better.Next time I will listen to you guys. I was really concerned that the heat exchanger may be leaking. NOT

Well you now have more experience than me with the heater!
I have not had to remove it yet.

Hopefully if I ever have to you will be around to give me some advice!

[bill and theresa]

It is not a big job , out cleaned and back in in 1 hr.( 30 min spent cleaning.)