candapack Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 New to motorhoming, picked up first one c. 3 weeks ago - 7 year old Autosleeper Inca. Used it 3 times, 2/4 nights each time. Very pleased with it generally, a few niggles easily sorted. However, despite having flushed the water system thoroughly 5 times, both with and without sterilising fluid, there is still a very oily taint which is even noticeable after it's been boiled - for tea/coffee etc. Our only thought is, could there be something in the pump, but as always your thoughts most welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Did you buy from a dealer or privately? If from a dealer go back and ask them to sort it. One vague possibility is that a previous owner has filled the water tank with diesel. This has been reported on this forum a couple of times in the past. How near is the water filler to the diesel filler? Try smelling the fresh water filler for any signs of strange smells. If it has the only solution would be to replace the tank and all pipework as you will never remove the traces any other way. The only other option would be to try adding a filter to the drinking water tap and see if that improves things, there is a thread running on this subject either here on 'Hints and Tips' or possibly over on 'Motorhome Matters'. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candapack Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 Yes, that was another thought we had - the taste is quite "diesely". (Not that I drink that much diesel you understand!) The filler point for water is about half way along the van body, and clearly marked "Water". The fuel filling point is forward of the passenger cab door so it shouldn't be too easy to mix them up. But they are both on the nearside, and the fuel flap is quite well camouflaged, and the water filler cap is not unlike some fuel caps, so not impossible. I'll let the dealer know and see what happens. Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candapack Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 Just back from visiting MH. Keith, you were spot on. I stuck my nose in the water filler, strong diesel smell! Now feel stupid for not doing that before parting with loads-a-dosh. Have contacted dealer - Todds, Preston, everyone says they are v. good. Couple of questions; Should they have been aware of this? They say they test the water system, but is that only for leaks, heating draining etc? And if they genuinely weren't aware, their first question is surely how do we know you didn't do it yourselves? Apart from replacing tank and all piping, any magic remedies? That don't involve endless flushings with various detergents! But I suspect not - Oh Dear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 OMG! I am so sorry this has happened. I only posted because it was something I had heard of before. It will be your word against theirs if they start questioning if you could have done it, but as you have already named them you could do an awful lot of damage to their reputation if they refuse to co-operate. Give them the benefit of the doubt and hope they rectify the problem. If it where mine I would not settle for anything less than a new water tank and ALL water pipes replaced. They should be able to clean the water heater as it will almost certainly be Stainless Steel. Anything plastic will have been contaminated and I doubt if you will ever get rid of the taste. If they do not co-operate I would then suggest you contact the Citizens Advice Bureau for help but I sincerely hope it does not get to this point. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Hi again (sorry don't know your name :-( ) If you Google "Diesel in water tank" you get loads of hits... Link to Google. Here was the posting on this forum that I remembered although the poster didn't name the MH Link to OAL. And just to prove it can be done to an AS (although not an INCA) Link to ASOF. Keith. Edit And another... Link 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candapack Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 Very many thanks Keith. My name is Chris by the way, I'll need to get a profile sorted out - looks like I'll be on the Forums quite a lot. Anyway, the links you have provided look really useful, will let you know how it goes. Thanks again, Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candapack Posted September 21, 2013 Author Share Posted September 21, 2013 Am now in discussion with dealer - will see how that goes. In the meantime, can anyone tell me how safe or otherwise it is to use the water for dishwashing, showering etc. I.e., anything except drinking. What a right pain in the proverbials!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 There's advice on diesel health-related risks here: http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1194947330352 As you've flushed your motorhome's water system repeatedly (including using sterilising products) it's unlikely that there is any actual diesel fluid lurking within the system, although the system itself has evidently been sufficiently affected by being in contact with diesel to continue to produce a "very oily taint" despite all the treatment you've carried out. I would have thought the tainted water should be safe enough to use for showering and dishwashing, though you should be able to avoid any potential dishwashing contamination fairly easily by carrying some untainted water in a plastic container and boiling that in a kettle. Obviously it's a tad late now to address possible health risks, as you've already been using the funny-tasting water for tea/coffee making (and, I'm guessing, for showering and washing dishes too). Realistically, even if you drank the water I doubt it would harm you, but I'd be tempted not to use it for dishwashing and it might be wise to keep your mouth/eyes closed when showering. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 I did a reply to this last night and 'previewed' it before posting ... then it disappeared! >:-( Here goes again in an abridged version! I would certainly want everything in the fresh water system replacing or cleaning 'professionally' to get any trace of diesel out of it. Don't forget the pump and even the taps could be contaminated if it has now leached into the plastic parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candapack Posted September 30, 2013 Author Share Posted September 30, 2013 A brief update (responding to Keithl from another thread) The service department has told me that they are going to replace everything related to the fresh water system. There will be a bit of a delay, as the tank itself is apparently not readily available. However, as this is such a major thing, and they are doing it on the basis of 1 phone call from me, I have asked for confirmation from the boss. When I get that, or maybe just when the work has been done, I will post another update, giving the dealer all credit due. But I don't want to say any more just now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Thanks for the update Chris, it's always nice to hear how things are turning out. If your dealer is struggling to find a new tank suggest he contacts CAK Tanks Link as they manufacture water tanks for a lot of converters and also bespoke one offs. Hope all goes well, Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candapack Posted December 10, 2013 Author Share Posted December 10, 2013 Just collected MH from dealer today. They have replaced the entire water system - tanks, pump, pipes, taps etc etc. And they fixed something else at the same time, no charge. Still convinced they knew about it when they sold it to us, but at least they stepped up to fix it. They could have told me to prove I didn't do it myself, so with some reservations, good on them. Plus the old fresh water tank was 50 litres, new one is 80 so result there! Thanks to Paul in the workshop for his efforts. Drive home slightly spoiled by battery warning light coming on c. 100 miles from home - got back OK, battery definitely not charging so something for tomorrow. Happy Days! *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Strachan Posted December 10, 2013 Share Posted December 10, 2013 Thats a result then Chris, good to hear, just dont forget to drain all the water off, if your laying it up for the winter. If your lucky enougfh to be able to park at home, hook up and charge the batteries. Enjoy your van as soon as you can! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayjsj Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 yes, terrific news, nice to hear of a 'good' Dealer for a change, suggest you get a BIGGER 'Fresh water only' Sticker and make sure that the cap is a Lockable one. The battery thing is not just that the leisure battery has gone flat while sitting in the workshop is it ? Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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