Machine Smells Like Burning Plastic

[Nirvana]

I have a ResMed S9. The last few weeks it's been smelling like burning plastic. I unhooked the hose and the smell is coming out of the machine. I don't use the humidifier, so it's the machine... It's less than a year old. Any idea of what might be going on?

[zonk]

Is that the same smell when the humidifier ran of water?
In any case, machines comes with two years warranty and as you're still in the warranty period, your DME may replace the machine
I would be inclined to clean everything thoroughly and change the filter too

[Nirvana]

Yeah, it's the same smell. Will it hurt me to use it until it can be replaced? The smell is bad... but I don't wanna wake up feeling half dead if I don't use it.

[Mike1953]

Your DME should give you a loaner until your machine can be repaired or replaced. Each year your DME should do a check and clean on your machine, which sounds like its about time for yours. General rules for DME's 0-2 years replace, 2-4 repair if possible, 5 year new machine under insurance co-pay.

[Sleepster]

I have a ResMed S9. The last few weeks it's been smelling like burning plastic. I unhooked the hose and the smell is coming out of the machine. I don't use the humidifier, so it's the machine... It's less than a year old. Any idea of what might be going on?

Perhaps you accidentally turned on the humidifier?

Check to make sure the humidifier is turned off, or put some water in the humidifier tank, or remove the humidifier from the machine.

[Paralel]

I would send it for warranty and discontinue using it ASAP. The chemical products generated from burning/heated off-gassing plastics are extremely toxic to humans.

[Eurika]

+1 Paralel.

If it smells bad it probably is bad, and you don't want that toxic malodorous stuff in your body.

[Evpraxia]

Agree with the above comments: DEFINITELY do not use it if it smells like burning plastic.

I doubt it is providing the correct pressure since something is not right with the APAP.

[archangle]

Be sure it's not simply something near the air inlet of the machine.

If you don't use the humidifier, remove it as a test. It detaches from the blower unit.

Take out the filters from the back of the blower unit (temporarily) hook the hose up to the blower unit. Take the whole setup to another room.

Turn the machine on for 10 or 15 seconds and let air blow to let it air out while not wearing the mask. Then see if you smell the smell in the mask.

As for being toxic, it can be, but we're way too panicky about such smells. If it's just a smell, the machine can't be producing that much of the chemicals involved because the chemicals have to some out of the machine and it has to be evaporating something to produce the smell.

The really toxic stuff is usually colorless, odorless, and tasteless, so if you don't see, smell, or taste anything, it's probably toxic.

[Jeff44]

Same issue. Not a constant smell, just episodic. Finally it did it twice tonight and so I took my System One completely apart, including the fan. Inside the fan housing it appears the fan itself was making contact with the housing (plastic on plastic). I cleaned the housing and the black stuff that came off Ian the source of my noxious burning plastic smell. Will get it replaced in the morning.