Cleaning an old CPAP

[gujamin]

I have an old ResMed s8 machine that I use for backup/emergency, but it has a really funky odor when it blows (almost like rust or exhaust). It's definitely from the machine and not the tubing or the filter and I've cleaned as much as I can reach.

Is there anything I can do to remove the smell without taking it apart and if not, is there a way to do it with taking it apart?

Thanks!

[LSAT]

Run it outside for a few hours.

[chunkyfrog]

Put a small amount of vodka (a spoonful or two) in a saucer, placed near the air intake.
Run the machine until the vodka evaporates.
I tried to dry a minky blanket (too heavy for my dryer) outdoors--somebody stole it.

[SewTired]

and if you don't drink vodka, they have those little bitty bottles at the register of most liquor stores.

If that doesn't work, you may have to search down instructions on taking it apart. A tech told me that most odors are in the insulation which requires replacement. Don't know if you have access to the same materials.

[Mum's The Word]

I have successfully gotten smells out of a thermos using activated charcoal. The thermos smelled so bad that I wanted to throw it out. I bought activated charcoal at the pet store. I placed it in an old clean sock, put it in the thermos, closed it and left it for a week or two. The smell was gone, and I threw out the sock. This might work with your cpap. I would put activated charcoal in an old clean sock and place that in a new clean garbage bag along with your machine. It won't be airtight, but you should be able to close up the bag and seal it up somewhat. Hopefully, you'll get the same result that I got with the thermos.

[archangle]

Put it somewhere in the open indoors. Turn it on for a few minutes every day and see what happens over a few weeks.

Running it continuously is probably not going to make it air out much faster.

Putting it in an bag with activated charcoal won't do any more for it than putting it somewhere in fresh air.