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Help -weird mechanical, plastic smell from my insert

Discussion in 'Modern EPA Stoves and Fireplaces' started by Bill Lion, Oct 11, 2015.

  1. Bill Lion

    Bill Lion

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    Update: I just started a fire a little while ago and noticed the smell started before the fan started. Does that rule out the fan motor as a possible culprit? Wondering what else I should be looking at.

    The smell drives my wife nuts so I've gotta figure this out! :)
     
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  2. Bill Lion

    Bill Lion

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    One other note: Even though the smell begins before the fan kicks in, when the fan does come on the smell is MUCH more intense. I'm stymied...
     
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  3. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    No, I would not rule out the fan.
     
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  4. Bill Lion

    Bill Lion

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    Great, thanks. I actually had to turn the blower off and the intense smelled stop, so you might be right. Getting back on my feet so I might attempt to replace that this week and hopefully then -I'll truly be ready for winter.
     
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  5. jatoxico

    jatoxico

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    Have the sweeps you had come out removed the shroud? Wondering if the liner is not seated and creosote/ash got on top or something else laying there. Guessing you don't have a block off plate so maybe something came down outside the liner? Have to access the fan housing and check the vent as well. Little kids in the house? They shove things in all kinds of places
     
  6. HDRock

    HDRock

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    Could be the bearings are the wiring or both
     
  7. Bill Lion

    Bill Lion

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    Good idea. Yes, everything was pulled out and he did find and remove creosote from the top of the box. I have 3 kids at home, so that's legit but he didn't find anything there either. The fan/fan motor seems to be making the most sense to me, but I'm far from an expert so I can't be sure. Thanks for the tips!
     
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  8. Bill Lion

    Bill Lion

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    I'm calling a pro because this is out of my league, but I'll point those out -thanks!
     
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  9. jatoxico

    jatoxico

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    Inside or outside the firebox? I used to get buildup inside the firebox above the burn tubes. Wasn't good but did not smell in the house.
     
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  10. GranpaJohn

    GranpaJohn

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    If this insert is anything like my insert, the whole fan/wiring can be easily removed temporarily, thus eliminating that possibility.
     
  11. HDRock

    HDRock

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    Printed October 14, 2013 , but probably close to the same
     

    Attached Files:

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  12. Bill Lion

    Bill Lion

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    Outside, on top
     
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  13. Bill Lion

    Bill Lion

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    Great resource; thanks!
     
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  14. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    :popcorn:
     
  15. jatoxico

    jatoxico

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    Slow cooking creosote on top of the stove would stink, creosote stinks. Should not be getting that, somethings not right.
     
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  16. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    We had that in the house we bought, turns out it was a slammer, so all the creosote from having a sweep come landed on top. Yes, stinky.
     
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  17. jatoxico

    jatoxico

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    I have a cast iron chiminea that I burn in. Burn a lot of locust bark to get rid of it and its thick. A great deal of black un-burned smoke comes off it once it gets going and it too has a plasticky smell.
     
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  18. Bill Lion

    Bill Lion

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    The creosote from the top came from past sweeps cleaning who let it land there. Even after that was cleared the smell persists. Real bad when the blower is on. That's why I still think the fan motor might be on target. Gonna replace it this week so I guess I'll know soon enough!
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2015
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  19. Bill Lion

    Bill Lion

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    Update: Success!!!

    We got tired of waiting for the tech to come so we went down the supplier and purchased the new motor/blower and installed it ourselves yesterday. Fire this morning and no more smell -woo ha!!!
     
  20. Bill Lion

    Bill Lion

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    I do have one other recurring problem with the sensor, but I'll start a new thread for that.

    Thanks for you help, all!!
     
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