Has anyone experienced a burning smell from heat vents?

Jcbteague

Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2023
Messages
14
Location
Oregon
This is the second time we've noticed it and it was right after turning the furnace off for the night and back on when the temperature dipped. It's a burning plastic or burning dust kind of smell. We run the furnace (Suburban) frequently and it tends to struggle to maintain the temperature so when the temperature gets in the 40s it'll shut off and back on immediately throughout the night (overheating?).

We're anxious it could be a sign of overheating components so any insights would be appreciated as finding a Technician has been difficult.

Thanks adventurers!

-Jacob
2018 GD Imagine 3170 BH
 
Yes, we notice a burning smell like dust maybe? Especially when the furnace has NOT been running for a while, but not all the time.
Free bump for more replies...
 
Last edited:
Last week I pulled my furnace from my 2017 Solitude 310GK because it wouldn't ignite and stay running. The problem was a bad control board (after changing the sail switch and high temp sensor).

Anyway, when I removed the furnace from the rv, I noticed that the linoleum flooring on the back side of the furnace was charred (melted) due to heat from the furnace. I never smelled anything when running the furnace, although this could be a contributing cause to what you are experiencing. I also observed the protective sheet metal affixed to the floor under the furnace was undersized - it was not long enough, leaving approximately 3" or 4" of linoleum directly exposed the the underside of the furnace, which gets very hot.

The pictures I attached include a picture of the furnace with the flexible duct work removed...in the picture you can see the metal beneath the furnace is short, leaving the flooring exposed to the back side of the furnace where the ductwork is normally attached. I included a picture with the furnace removed showing the melted (charred) linoleum. Prior to re-installing the repaired furnace, I installed new sheet metal which better covers the area and leaves no linoleum exposed to the furnace.

I included a picture of my Suburban SF35Q furnace on my workbench just in case your unfamiliar with what an rv furnace looks like when it's out of your rv.

Suburban rv furnace 2.jpgSuburban rv furnace 3.jpgSuburban rv furnace.jpg
 
Last week I pulled my furnace from my 2017 Solitude 310GK because it wouldn't ignite and stay running. The problem was a bad control board (after changing the sail switch and high temp sensor).

Anyway, when I removed the furnace from the rv, I noticed that the linoleum flooring on the back side of the furnace was charred (melted) due to heat from the furnace. I never smelled anything when running the furnace, although this could be a contributing cause to what you are experiencing. I also observed the protective sheet metal affixed to the floor under the furnace was undersized - it was not long enough, leaving approximately 3" or 4" of linoleum directly exposed the the underside of the furnace, which gets very hot.

The pictures I attached include a picture of the furnace with the flexible duct work removed...in the picture you can see the metal beneath the furnace is short, leaving the flooring exposed to the back side of the furnace where the ductwork is normally attached. I included a picture with the furnace removed showing the melted (charred) linoleum. Prior to re-installing the repaired furnace, I installed new sheet metal which better covers the area and leaves no linoleum exposed to the furnace.

I included a picture of my Suburban SF35Q furnace on my workbench just in case your unfamiliar with what an rv furnace looks like when it's out of your rv.

View attachment 49622View attachment 49623View attachment 49624

Note that the first picture of the furnace with the blue and red water lines visible, is rotated 90 degrees. The OSB in the picture is a horizontal shelf that supports my hot water heater.

Cheers,
Tim
 
Last week I pulled my furnace from my 2017 Solitude 310GK because it wouldn't ignite and stay running. The problem was a bad control board (after changing the sail switch and high temp sensor).

Anyway, when I removed the furnace from the rv, I noticed that the linoleum flooring on the back side of the furnace was charred (melted) due to heat from the furnace. I never smelled anything when running the furnace, although this could be a contributing cause to what you are experiencing. I also observed the protective sheet metal affixed to the floor under the furnace was undersized - it was not long enough, leaving approximately 3" or 4" of linoleum directly exposed the the underside of the furnace, which gets very hot.

The pictures I attached include a picture of the furnace with the flexible duct work removed...in the picture you can see the metal beneath the furnace is short, leaving the flooring exposed to the back side of the furnace where the ductwork is normally attached. I included a picture with the furnace removed showing the melted (charred) linoleum. Prior to re-installing the repaired furnace, I installed new sheet metal which better covers the area and leaves no linoleum exposed to the furnace.

I included a picture of my Suburban SF35Q furnace on my workbench just in case your unfamiliar with what an rv furnace looks like when it's out of your rv.

View attachment 49622View attachment 49623View attachment 49624

That charred flooring makes me think you were lucky the circuit board died... looks to me that the furnace could have easily started a fire someday ! I would send that picture to GD just as an FYI type thing so they're aware this is happening. You might not be an isolated incident.
 
Good to hear from you Marcy.

I was not happy seeing the melted/charred floor. Yes, it’s a concerning development, and I literally just discovered this.

I hope that RV owners will take a moment to inspect their own equipment, or if they are unable/unwilling to do so, that they would have SOMEONE take a look to verify that their furnace is not installed in a manner that creates a hazard.

Tim
 
I have contacted GD via their website and explained the condition I observed with my furnace.

Tim
 

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top Bottom