Propane Problem!!!!!! - RV-Dreams Community Forum

sologal · RV-Dreams Family Member

Propane Problem!!!!!!

Talensnana · RV-Dreams Family Member

You can go to a propane dealer and they can drain it and replace the valve. . You can also open the valve and let some of the gas out but it needs to be outside and not in the vacinity of sparks. Do you have a gauge on it?

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Stop.....................go or call a propane servicer.....it could be anything from being over filled to a loose fitting.....But a simple static spark can ignite it........propane is heavier than air and is a ground crawling gas..................Close the valve off and have a Lic. Servicer come out!!!

sologal · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the replies, I can't find a company that deals with propane anywhere!! I will have to travel to locate one but I sure as heck do not want to blow up on the way. It is holding when closed but if it is a loose valve it could shake loose on the trip. I think I will go out to the bush and open it and release as much as possible and wait until it blows away before I start it up again. Wish me luck....Deb

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

its not going to fall off ........I hate to be blunt but you are about to endanger yourself if you do as you say you are.

leave the valve in the closed position.....and call the Fire Dept!!........at least they are trained !!!

Jim01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree with Lucky Mike!!!!

DO NOT open that valve!!!!! Leave it closed until you can find someone who is trained to handle the problem!!!!!!!!

Jim

lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Could it be something as simple as the packing nut have backed off a bit and causing the leak. Myself I'd leave the valve closed and use a wrench to double check that the packing nut was not loose. Just a little pressure on the wrench trying to tighten the packing nut will let you know if that was the issue.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm not sure that all propane valves have defined "packing nuts." Wen I searched for images of propane tank valves, I got images of some that didn't appear to have a defined one. At the link below is an image of one valve. Between the body of the valve and the knob on the top is what is referred to as a packing nut.

LP tank valve showing packing nut

Could you tell if the leaking propane was coming out around the stem of the valve that the knob is attached to? If not, was the leaking propane coming out around the hose going to the tank. If it was around the hose fitting, then you may need to check that out to see if there is a seal inside that needs replacing. Or, the fitting of the hose may be loose.

If your valve does have one of those packing nuts, then turn it just a bit to start with. If it turns easily, then it probably is loose. However, take care to not tighten the nut too tight or you may not be able to open the valve. The packing nut kind of uses compression to tighten against leaks and the tighter it is tightened, the harder it is to turn the valve.

If it does turn easily, tighten it a ways and then see if the valve will open, but open very slowly. If it still leaks, but a little less, then tighten it a bit more.

But, like the others have stated, if you don't feel comfortable with this, don't do it at all and find someone to help. Even a plumbing company should be able to assist you. I suspect that it is related to the valve, so once the tank is emptied, it is pretty easy for someone to install a new valve. Again, I'd check into a propane company to see if they could empty the tank and replace the valve. When I used to deliver LPG, I carried fittings that allowed me to empty tanks.

Terry

sologal · RV-Dreams Family Member

o.k, I have not yet attempted anything. It is the packing nut that is leaking. Every one I have called" won't touch it with a ten foot pole", ridiculous!! I am still going to search for someone, I will try plumbing companies but I already know they won't travel to come out here. My furnace broke in January and I had to wait a full month in minus 30 and a terminal partner on oxygen freezing and still it took that long. Money is not the issue but here in Alberta people are rolling in money and it is almost impossible to get any kind of service, even stores and restaurants are on restricted hours cause they cannot get staff. McDonalds pays over $15 hr around here and even that is too little for many kids. I think I will find a propane supplier somewhere and go and park in their yard until someone helps. Thanks for all your replies , it is nice that people care and are willing to help.....".Anyone want to travel a few thousand miles in the snow for a visit and propane fix?"...Take care..Deb

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

You can snug the packing nut slightly. Then soap for leaks. However if you are not competent or comfortable with this just go to any reputable propane shop. They can get you fixed up. May likely have to change the valve to a new one.

-- Edited by TRAILERKING on Monday 31st of March 2014 08:18:00 PM

sologal · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think I will try to snug it when it stops snowing. Now propane turns opposite right? I do not want to loosen it by mistake. So I should turn it to the right to tighten? Thanks..

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

Packing nut is under the handle and will be right hand.

Everything you wanted to know about Valves

-- Edited by TRAILERKING on Monday 31st of March 2014 09:11:48 PM

-- Edited by TRAILERKING on Monday 31st of March 2014 09:12:27 PM

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Debbie,

If you are going to do this yourself, get some heavy rubber gloves to protect your hands against the extreme cold of the leaking LPG. Also, have some protective goggles on to protect your eyes, and some kind of heavy jacket as well. LPG is cold enough to cause burns if you get enough on your skin.

This is not a difficult fix to do. As you tighten the packing nut, the valve handle will get a little harder to turn. Start by making sure that the nut is at least finger tight. Then use a wrench to turn it just a little. Put the gloves on then and open the valve very slowly. If it leaks, close it again and tighten a little more. If the valve gets tight enough that it is hard for you to turn it, but it still leaks, then you will definitely need a new valve.

Terry

sologal · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks trailerking and T&J, I will try on thurs after the snow stops. I will be wearing gloves as it sprayed my hand when this originally happened and it was cold and burnt. Either way I will have it evaluated before I pack up and leave in a few weeks. Thanks again for the help and solid advice......Take care.....Deb

sologal · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well Thanks for everyone's help. It was the packing nut and I had no problem fixing it once I bit the bullet and attempted it. I still have to soap it to make a final check but no more spraying or smelling propane so I think it did the trick. I am going to run the furnace tomorrow to reduce the pressure though as it is reading overfull and I do not need the overflow valve spraying me. Well any way thanks for the help it was almost impossible to get any info online and you all helped out a lot and saved me a bunch of money as well [ I may have got charged for a faulty valve , tank and who knows what else... When you go in blind they have free will to tell you anything if you are not sure yourself of the possible problem} Take care....Deb

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well done, Deb. I've never met you, but I knew you could do it.

The "pressure" won't really reduce much, because as the "gas" is used by the rig's appliances, the "liquid" just produces more "gas." The gaseous state of LPG is what goes through the lines. If they have definitely overfilled the tank (it should really be around 85%, but 90% would be okay), then be sure and use some down before traveling. If you do travel before using it down, close the valve so that liquid LPG doesn't get in the lines from jostling. It won't bother the lines, but liquid LPG could freeze off the regulator.

Terry

lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

SoLoGal; Just keep a close eye on the valve every time you open it, and try to get it replaced as soon as it's convent to.