used machine smells like cigarette smoke. ugh

[eok361]

i purchased a very lightly used aircurve 10 (300 hours), but when i checked it at the place i got it, i only turned it on for a few seconds to see if it was noisy.

i got it home and hooked it up to use, but when i turned it on, i got the distinct smell of cigarette smoke from the machine. i didn't have the water tank in it. i use one of the end plugs that you can use instead.

i turned it off before it could foul my hose and mask.

question is: is there anything that can be done for that? outside of a major repair?

i'm currently soaking the water tub that came with it in a mixture of water and vinegar. that should take care of that. my concern is for the interior of the machine. i know machines can pick up smells from the house (food cooking, etc) and they eventually go away; but i don't know if this ever will.

it's my fault i didn't check it further when i bought it. i was trying to get home after a very long day of driving.

i'm trying to run it in mask fit mode, with no tube or mask, but it keeps shutting off. can i stuff some toilet paper or something in the exhaust port to add a little resistance? or is there another way to get continuous air flow from it?

any suggestions would be appreciated.

[staceyburke]

I would guess you have the auto on feature on.  It turns on when you start the machine and stops it when the mask is taken off.  Turn is off and the machine should run without the hose on it. I THINK it is called smart start.

[eok361]

thanks. i do have it set to that.

[Sleeprider]

Cigarette smoke may be treated with Ozium spray (original scent) by spraying a cotton ball or piece of cloth with the Ozium and placing it near the intake and letting the machine draw in the vapor. I have treated machines and gotten good results, but heavily contaminated machines will hold onto traces of smoke odor for some time. A new motor can be obtained and used to replace the existing motor. The DIY repair costs just over $100 and is moderately easy and covered in many YouTube videos and tutorials by other forum members. You will also be able to clean the internal silicone seals.

[eok361]

Cigarette smoke may be treated with Ozium spray (original scent) by spraying a cotton ball or piece of cloth with the Ozium and placing it near the intake and letting the machine draw in the vapor.  I have treated machines and gotten good results, but heavily contaminated machines will hold onto traces of smoke odor for some time.  A new motor can be obtained and used to replace the existing motor. The DIY repair costs just over $100 and is moderately easy and covered in many YouTube videos and tutorials by other forum members.  You will also be able to clean the internal silicone seals.

thanks. i'm going to run it with a spare hose for a few hours today to see it that helps. probably not, but i'll see.

the seller has agreed to a return if that doesn't work. i don't want to do a full repair on this.

thanks

[eok361]

just for clarity. the unit doesn't smell bad on the outside. it's only the air that runs through it and comes out the hose.

i have been running it all day. i also sprayed a cotton ball with some ozium and put it where the filter goes for about 20 minutes. now it smells like that. i'm going to run it all night and see what happens.

the seller says he'll refund me, but i told him i'd try this first. it's only going to be for a backup/travel machine. but i definitely don't want that stink in it.

[Sleeprider]

The Ozium will dissipate, but the smoke is more persistent, but Ozium seems to cancel it. The smell comes from the silicone seals and motor internals where the tars from smoking settle. Don't forget the outlet seal where the hose attaches can be removed and washed. Glad your seller has offered to take it back if your efforts don't work.

[eok361]

The Ozium will dissipate, but the smoke is more persistent, but Ozium seems to cancel it. The smell comes from the silicone seals and motor internals where the tars from smoking settle.  Don't forget the outlet seal where the hose attaches can be removed and washed.  Glad your seller has offered to take it back if your efforts don't work.

thanks. i didn't realize the outlet seal could be removed. 

i did the ozium thing a few times. i'm afraid it might damage the motor having a cotton ball placed in front of the intake. how often is it safe to do that? and for how long at a time? i only did it for like 20 minutes a pop. 

8 hours run time didn't do much. i'm torn, because the machine has very low hours on it. i'm surprised it smells as bad as it does with only 300 hours on it. if i were sure the smell would go away after (maybe) 20 hours of run time, i'd keep it. but i need to return it tomorrow, if i'm going to. 

thanks for the help.

[RNeil]

Replace the filter, if you haven't already.

If that doesn't fix the problem, you could disassemble it and clean the blower. There is a post on this forum that tells you how to do it.

[eok361]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXoSxPP7shw&t=36s

would cleaning the big silicone boot here help? i wouldn't want to take the motor housing apart. if there'd be stink in there, i would just assume change the motor out...if i were to keep it.

and can the foam sound damper be cleaned?