bshortie
Ohio
Senior Member
Joined: 04/07/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
 Offline
|
I can't seem to get a good search on this, even though I thought I remembered reading some posts on it. When I walk past my LP tank on the outside I get a whiff of gas. Anyone have a good method for finding a leak? Would soapy water on fittings work like you use when looking for a tire leak? Additionally, would it be normal to smell gas on the outside at all when your fridge or furnace are on LP? I have just recently started using them, well the fridge, on LP this winter and didn't notice anything during the summer with 99% 110AC usage. Anyone have experience with anything like this? Thanks for your time.
2002 Damon Challenger 348, F53 Chasis w/Triton V10
|
Buz2b
Oregon
Senior Member
Joined: 07/12/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
I did a quick search using "LP Leak" and saw several responses. In answer to your question, I specifically found these two quotes:
Quote:propane leaks are easy to spot and repair. They sell stuff at CW that you apply on all the fittings and it bubbles if gas is leaking
Quote:Don't be too worried about a propane leak. It is actually quite difficult to ignite propane when the fuel to air ratio is not correct. Put a little dish soap in a spray bottle with some water and spray the fuel lines, hoses and connections and look for bubbles.
As to the question about whether it is "normal" to smell gas around the rig, I would think not. Perhaps a bit when first firing up the furnace or frige but I've never encountered this. I would do the leak testing. Good Luck!
2005 F-150, Factory Tow Package
2006 Keystone Z271 Zeppelin II
Bill, Pixie, Honeybun the rescue and our DOTL cat Pita
|
bshortie
Ohio
Senior Member
Joined: 04/07/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Thanks for the help. I wonder if I had a typo in my search. Most of responses I found were about the inside detectors going off.
|
bshortie
Ohio
Senior Member
Joined: 04/07/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
kix wrote:samler17 wrote:There should be a slight odor when you turn the tanks on. Due to the regulator bleeding off the extra pressure but not after that.
ABSOLUTELY NOT. When the propane system is turned on what is displaced from the regulator vent is air NOT PROPANE. A propane system is a closed system up to the burner/pilot. The smell of propane (actually the odorant: ethyl mercaptan) can be evident without leakage in two instances. 1. When the propane liquid level is low in the container the odorant may be concentrated and when burning the odorant may not be consumed in the flame. 2. After refilling odorant may be sprayed on the outside of the tank via the outage bleeder. This will either wear off or wash off. Any other instances of propane odor should be investigated, found and repaired.
Been there and done that for 30 years.
#1 makes sense to me for my situation, but I will check for leaks anyway. I started noticing it when the LP got to around 1/4 tank or so.
|
Horsedoc
Dixie --- N. Georgia
Senior Member
Joined: 09/30/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
This might not apply to your siutation, but we had a leak we could not find, but kept smelling it. It turns out that it was in the large, round, sealed portion of the regulator. Gas was leaking past the seal on the edge, past the rubber gasket. This was a relatively new coach at the time. I believe the cause of the leak was when we had the tank filled at the Flying J,I failed to close the valve from the tank to the regulator. Again no proof, but I believe the pressure filling the tank compromised the seal on the regulator. Winne puts a guard over the regulator and I had to take it off in order to find the leak. New $13 regulator and about 30 minutes and good as new.
Oh yeah, found it with spray bottle of windex and patience. 
|
|
|
bcbeal
Fort Worth, Texas USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/25/2003
View Profile
|
ALWAYS be worried about a LP leak. There should be no smell from a good LP system. There is no safe gauge about how much of a small leak is OK. No leak is OK. The only and safest way to test is a Pressure drop test (Monometer test). You can find the leak with soapy water, but it is best to Monometer test after you think you have found the leak and corrected it. You would be amazed how many times I have corrected the obvious leak and then found another leak via the Monometer test. Brent
|
alcolby
yuma az.
Senior Member
Joined: 09/20/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
somebody posted this!
Quote:
Don't be too worried about a propane leak. It is actually quite difficult to ignite propane when the fuel to air ratio is not correct.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, right, film at 11:00
|
bcbeal
Fort Worth, Texas USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/25/2003
View Profile
|
"Don't be too worried about a propane leak. It is actually quite difficult to ignite propane when the fuel to air ratio is not correct. Put a little dish soap in a spray bottle with some water and spray the fuel lines, hoses and connections and look for bubbles."
These are the same people that smoke at Gasoline filling stations while filling their tanks. Brent
|
ArchHoagland
Clovis, CA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 11/28/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I had the exact same problem with a new trailer I bought. As it was brand new I took it back to the dealer. He said that was normal...just venting. As time went on I started using more and more propane. Sprayed soapy water on the pressure control valve assay and had a leak around the clear plastic level warning doohicky. It was cracked and had been that way since new. About $30.00 later I had a new one on there.
The trailer was out of warranty by then and I wouldn't go back to that dealer for anything...Lot's of problems with that dealer.
So go spray it and replace it if leaking.
Good luck.
2004 Monaco
La Palma 36DBD
Two Slides
2 Potties
Workhorse W22 Chassis
8.1 gas engine & Allison 1000 transmission
7.1 MPG based on fuel used over 46,000 miles
TOADS
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
US Gear Brakes
1991 Mazda Miata 5 speed 33MPG 2,310 LBS
|
Carvin Marvin
Livingston, Texas, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 10/16/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
I had a seep leak on the valve stem. A propane dealer in Missoula ordered and came to the park and changed the valve after I ran the tank empty. You should always be concerned about propane leaks.
|
|
|
