Hi all, just had a weekend away, and used gas to heat water, noticed that the vent on the side of the Nuevo Motorhome has some black soot like deposits on it and around the plastic moulding. The system was habitation serviced in February by Marquis, any suggestions as to why and what to do. PS usually we don't use gas to heat water as we use a hook up.
Wipe it off and see if it happens again? Might just be that's built up from lack of use, given you say it's been checked recently. However, there's sure to be a gas expert on the forum with better advice.
Habitation checks ONLY check for appliances to be working on gas, and for (leaks) in the gas pipelines. They do not cover the servicing of appliances. If you asked for a 'fridge or heater service then it will have been be done. Quite a lot of people do not realise that this is the case. Plus you were observant to notice this 'sooty' appearance, I hope you have suitable alarms that will offend your ears, that are as sharp as your eyes.
The burner is obviously not burning correctly and that is extremely dangerous.
It needs the water heater servicing any caravan service engineer should use flue analizer and give you a paper read out of the test.
I have taken the external plastic off and had a good look, very little soot which I cleaned off, and then turned on the water heater to see what happened. No soot
or unusual smells, and the water heater worked fine. Replaced the plastic surround and tested again, all seems OK.
Yes to answer Austins post I have a CO2 monitor and a new battery in it, fitted 2 months ago, and tested it works OK, plus a smoke alarm, ditto.
Mikael, yes electric items will be checked as well. I only wanted to let the OP know that item(s) will be checked for working. Not as a service of said appliances. To be honest, habitation checks and reports are essential when you think A, It gives you peace of mind that you will wake up in the morning, and B, that these reports are well worth hanging onto as proof that these things have been done. When it comes to selling your vehicle they are there as proof that you have been a careful owner.
P.S. Mikael, The new van is great, and the old one was sold within 2 weeks of being advertised. How is your new one?, have you used it in anger yet?
Hi Austins, The van is brilliant !! but I haven't slept in it yet as we are in the process of moving house. Will be going in it with a vengence some time this month or next, probable down south. You can view it on Duncan Vickers (dinkum) blog about his adventures in his NV200 campervan. I think it was put under April's entry. Hope you enjoy your new van too !
Ciao for now