Wake Up Feeling Congested After A Night In The Van

[katstan]

[MsTaboo]

[katstan]

[Gnarlodious]

I quit using “memory foam” mattresses years ago because of chronic offgassing. Now I just do the inflatable mattress, much more ergonomic.

Also, I periodically blow out the van with a high-power leaf blower appliance. Especially aiming for the nooks and crannies where bugs might like to hide. Especially useful after the pollen season is over, clears the air real good.
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit

[E1]

While it may not be our OP's issue, this seems timely:
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f55/battery-off-gassing-35007.html

I realize off-gassing only happens while charging... meaning a solar panel could do the same. This is mostly why we did AGMs -- even for the starter battery (though it became a second house battery and now our starting batt is a lead-acid to save cash).

But if an alternator is overcharging, it seems the gases could or would be trapped indefinitely after shutdown, and seep for some time afterwards. You might check that your alternator's only putting out no more than 15 volts.
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‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[Tom Powell]

Charging and/or overcharging a lead acid battery will produce hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide. Both are gases. Hydrogen is lighter than air and will escape to the atmosphere unless contained. Hydrogen sulfide is poisonous and smells like rotten eggs. Both are flammable.

Aloha
tp

[djkeev]

If it's my turn to guess, reading your history of cleaning various areas with various chemicals, I'd for sure look at cleaning product residue.

While I'm not all green and earthy, I do know that many cleaning products are in reality bottles of toxic chemicals that we spread liberally over everything we come in contact with.

Dave
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[wesitarz]

Look for mold under your front floor carpet and cork layer. Could be wet from windshield leaks.

[AZ Landshaper]

Its a poss result of breathing in flocking all night long.
Those micropore particles could be populating your respiratory system and leaving you stuffed up and depleted.

or maybe you just dont have any circulation in there and the funk in your fabric is agitating you.

Im interested to hear about the night after your steam clean wipe down is finished.
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85 Weekender w/ EJ22
Previously
64, 71, 72, 73, 76, 81, 84, 85 & 87 Campmobiles and Westfalias
and a 67 bug.

[novws]

I doubt this is your issue and I realize I'm stating the obvious, but double check the engine compartment cover and seal and make sure everything is accounted for, in good condition and properly secured.
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88 Vanagon tintop Subaru ej25
82 BMW 323i
02 Subaru WRX Wagon

[E1]

[PDXWesty]

What are you using for bedding? Feathers or down sometimes gives me a problem.

Did the previous owner have dogs? It was unbelievable all he places I've found dog hair in the van too.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[kamzcab86]

[Abscate]

If I remember correctly, Kat, that's a Florida van. It might take a couple of seasons for mold to die and stop spores according to Ms Abscate, the Certified Industrial Hyg for the State of NY.

Out gassing of new bedding is also likely so air that out well. Tumble air dry it and leave it in the sun to help bake it out.

I really doubt it's a battery acid problem, don't worry about that.

If it doesn't abate, you probably will have to Lift the floor ( ugh) and check the underlay for mold. Check in all the drawers and lockers for mold too.

The other test she suggests is to close it up tight and let the car get hot in the sun for a few hours, then go in and smell for nasties. If you can't smell anything horrible , you probably don't have a terrible case and it will go away in its new climate over winter. Definitely do that before tearing floor up, and give it a season.
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.ssS!

[wesitarz]

If you can't find the cause,I suggest 1/2 Chlortripolon, a saline nasal spray, a xylometazoline nasal spray or 1/2 to 1 pseudoephedrine and enjoy your van.

[katstan]

Unless it's from the bleach we didn't use anything else in the van for cleaning it. It came so clean except for that pop top mold that this is the first time I'm giving it a thorough wipe down. And we're all baking soda and vinegar and 7th generation cleaning products over here usually and have nothing approaching a sanitized home. I'm trying to build my child's immune system after all and it is quite robust .

I'll definitely check under that carpet layer. We do have a windshield leak I've noticed twice now when driving in the rain.

I sleep with down all the time so bedding isn't it. The PO did have a dog and I am finding a bunch of hair under the bench seat so it's possible but we have a dog and a cat and I've never had pet allergies in my life so doubt that's it but if so this vacuuming and steam cleaning should help.

Lifting the floor would be no big deal actually as it's floating with just that metal strip holding it down at the door. I'll try that and look under the carpets up front for mold if today's cleaning doesn't solve it.

I'll also air out the memory foam.

Thanks for helping me solve the mystery everyone. Hopefully we'll get it solved. I don't wake up feeling terrible or anything but especially with my kid in there and my husband, who does have allergies, I'd like to get rid of it if I can.

Okay, time to go get steam cleaning and then pack up for our overnight. We're camping with friends and their two kids tonight who just got themselves a Eurovan Weekender!

[Chainsaw]

Do you change your diet when sleeping in the Van? Lots of pastas? More sugar than usual?
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89 Westy. 2wd. Manual.

[katstan]

[Gnarlodious]

[ThankYouJerry]