odd smell coming from dry vent
#1
04-09-02, 06:31 PM
odd smell coming from dry vent
Hello,
I have a odd smell coming from my dryer exhaust vent. It smells like natural gas at times but then at other it doesn't. The dryer dries clothes fine. I've clean the exhaust vent tubing and it continues. The clothes don't smell funny after being dried it just the exhaust. I did some painting in the basement over the weekend and my neighbor said that the fumes are burning? I don't smell paint fumes in my basement? Any advice would be appreciated. I've stopped using the dryer for now. Thanks, Marcus
I have a odd smell coming from my dryer exhaust vent. It smells like natural gas at times but then at other it doesn't. The dryer dries clothes fine. I've clean the exhaust vent tubing and it continues. The clothes don't smell funny after being dried it just the exhaust. I did some painting in the basement over the weekend and my neighbor said that the fumes are burning? I don't smell paint fumes in my basement? Any advice would be appreciated. I've stopped using the dryer for now. Thanks, Marcus
#2
04-09-02, 07:55 PM
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Hello mykarmann. Welcome to my Gas Appliances forum and our Do-It-Yourself Web Site.
Your neighbor is most likely right. You do not have to smell fumes for them to be present. After painting it takes several day for the paint to dry fully and cure. And being that your inside, you get use to the smell and do not smell the fumes. Perfectly normal.
It's a common problem and usually the result of some petroleum product recently used. Any product that contains a flammable solvent or oil based product will do this.
If the odor contains several days after painting, then check the burner flames in the burner compartment. there should be no yellow in the flames. Pure blue and only all blue flames.
Clean out any dust and lint inside the dryers cabinet and around the burner assembly, etc. If the odor problem presists, contact a service agency for professional help.
Regards & Good Luck
Gas Appliances Forum Moderator
TCB4U2B2B.....Company Enterprises
Energy Conservation Consulting Services & Gas Appliance Problem Diagnostics Technician.
Your neighbor is most likely right. You do not have to smell fumes for them to be present. After painting it takes several day for the paint to dry fully and cure. And being that your inside, you get use to the smell and do not smell the fumes. Perfectly normal.
It's a common problem and usually the result of some petroleum product recently used. Any product that contains a flammable solvent or oil based product will do this.
If the odor contains several days after painting, then check the burner flames in the burner compartment. there should be no yellow in the flames. Pure blue and only all blue flames.
Clean out any dust and lint inside the dryers cabinet and around the burner assembly, etc. If the odor problem presists, contact a service agency for professional help.
Regards & Good Luck
Gas Appliances Forum Moderator
TCB4U2B2B.....Company Enterprises
Energy Conservation Consulting Services & Gas Appliance Problem Diagnostics Technician.
#3
04-10-02, 09:48 AM
I removed a little panel from the back of the dryer to check the color of the flame. I can't see the flame directly but it's definately yellow and orange, it's just glowing in there. I've cleaned out the interior with a shop vac. What's the signifigance of any other than blue flame does that just mean that something else is burning other than gas. I've got another question regarding gas pressure. Does a dryer have a regulator to control gas pressure. The same neighbor who told me that the odor was from paint fumes also said that my gas pressure might be too high? Thanks again, Marcus
#4
04-10-02, 07:16 PM
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Hello: Marcus
Orange flames are okay. The orange is caused by tiny particles of dust burning. Not much to be concered with.
Yellow flames are of a concern. Yellow is an indication of either too much gas attempting to burn in the burner and or too little air mixed with the fuel.
Yes. The gas pressure can be too high. The gas valve in the dryer has a built in gas pressure regulator. This part rarely fails. Over pressure from the main gas meter supplied by the gas utility may be of concern. Neither of which is a do-it-yourself repair.
Check my recent reply postings. I already posted a reply on the topic of over pressure and contacting the gas supplier in a question similar to yours.
Regards,
Tom
Orange flames are okay. The orange is caused by tiny particles of dust burning. Not much to be concered with.
Yellow flames are of a concern. Yellow is an indication of either too much gas attempting to burn in the burner and or too little air mixed with the fuel.
Yes. The gas pressure can be too high. The gas valve in the dryer has a built in gas pressure regulator. This part rarely fails. Over pressure from the main gas meter supplied by the gas utility may be of concern. Neither of which is a do-it-yourself repair.
Check my recent reply postings. I already posted a reply on the topic of over pressure and contacting the gas supplier in a question similar to yours.
Regards,
Tom
