How to remove burnt electrical smell from fresh water tank?

[parxuk]

Hi

Unfortuntaly the motor in the fresh water tank of out T5.1 burnt out (big time). I have replaced the motor but on a couple of camping trips since when using the fresh water from the tank it is tainted with a bad smell/taste.

Following some instructions (a previous post on here and AI) I have completed the following to try and remove the odour:

1. Replaced the hose that goes from the motor to the top of the tank (that the water is drawn through)
2. Sprayed neat white vinegar on the insides of the fresh water tank
3. Twice filled the fresh water tank with a 1/10 mix of white vinegar and water - taken the van for a good run to slosh the water in the tank then let it sit for 8 hours (AI recommended not leaving it longer as the white vinegar could damage any rubber seals). At various points with the solution in I have ran the tap to draw the mix through the lines and tap.
4. Mixed 500g bicarb of soda with 5l of warm water. Thoroughly stirred the mix until bicarb was disolved then poured it in to the tank and filled to the top with normal water. Took van for drive to slosh mix around the tank and then let it sit for 5 days.

Having done all this the taste maybe slightly less bad, but I still couldnt use it to drink from.

Any other suggestions please?

AI mentioned fitting an inline active charcoal filter but dont know how easy this would be?

I would think replacing the tank would be a very difficult task and something I would rather not do if possible. With that being said we only got the van recently, dont intent to get rid of it for a very long time and would like to be able to use the frsh water tank for drinking water (amongst other things)

Very many thanks

 

[dspuk]

I’d replace the tank. PITA, for sure, but if the burn has infused into the plastic no amount of faffing will save it.

 

[calikev]

Use some puriclean in the tank

 

[parxuk]

Use some puriclean in the tank

Sorry, should have said I actually did that first (twice) before trying the other stuff.

Thanks though

 

[Herman]

Changing the tank is a fairly major undertaking, so there is nothing to lose by trying to remove the smell from your existing tank.
If you have been downwind of a bonfire your clothes will have adsorbed the smell of smoke until they are washed. Unfortunately, if you use detergent in the tank, it will leave a residual perfumed smell.
I would suggest using washing soda, which is cheap, easily rinsed away and will not leave a smell or toxic residue (NOT caustic soda). Completely fill the tank and leave it filled for as long as you can (a week, maybe).After that, flush the tank thoroughly and keep it brim full of water. In the meantime use a five litre container for drinking water. I bet the taste of smoke will have gone by the end of the summer and if not, you can always change the tank then.

 

[Chriskend]

A couple of tubes of steradent, a full tank and leave it for a good few days, or why not mix it with Milton as well.

 

[Herman]

B

mix it with Milton as well.

Milton is very likely to corrode the stainless steel shaft on the pump, which can stop the seal from sealing, allow water ingress and cause pump failure. Just saying……

 

[parxuk]

Very many thanks for the suggestions. Appreciate it.

 

[KGCali]

Worth a try of this Bio Clean product and then fill with Puriclean and flush after leaving it in the tank for 24hrs

https://www.ypo.co.uk/product/detail/bio-clean-multi-surface-cleaner-5-litre/214221

 

[Keith Smith]

I’m wondering if activated charcoal would help?

 

[Lambeth Cali]

You seem to have tried most of the cleaning methods and had no success.
I’m afraid my vote is for replacing the tank.

Find a VW California expert and pay the man. It might take a few calls but a specialist who knows what to do. Obviously someone will need to source a new tank.

These lot would be my first phone call.

Volkswagen California repairs. Audi RS transfer box repair

Volkswagen California code 1000 repair Volkswagen California Roof Bellows 061S Audi RS servicing Audi RS coding Audi RS Transfer Box Repair

www.kernowtransporters.co.uk

 

[Herman]

Isn’t it time to use some common sense about this?
1. If water from the tank tastes smoky, it means that contamination from the tank is being transferred to the water.
2. This process will continue whilst there is water in the tank until there is no contamination left on the plastic surface.
3. The tank must be completely filled with water as it has to touch all the contaminated surface to remove the contamination.
4. It will take time, so keep changing the water regularly.
5 In the meantime, use a separate container for drinking water.
Simples.

 

[parxuk]

Thanks for all the replies. Sorry for delay in replying but we have been away camping (Uphill Marina) and had zero internet which was a blessing and a curse at the same time.

Going to try the washing soda trick and see how I get on. I wont be looking to change the tank anytime soon as that just seems like a monster job and maybe given time the smell/taste will disapate anyway? And actually whilst camping at the weekend the wife (very fussy!) thought that the water was much better than previous so perhaps another go with the white vinegar and bicarb of soda wouldnt hurt either.

We do now carry a seperate container for drinking water!

Thanks again.