psmoore
Illinois
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I have no heat in my motorhome and was told to check that my LP was turned on. I attempted to turn it on, and the handle or knob broke in two. Is this an easy fix, or should I call the dealer? I tried to turn it with pliers and it wouldn't turn.
Just don't want to pay a dealer to fix something I may be able to do. I looked online and couldn't find a whole lot. Any tips or websites with info would be great!
Paul and Susan - 4 kids
2001 Winnebago Brave 35C
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NewsW
US
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Joined: 02/06/2012
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Licensed Propane Mechanic.
Don't risk it.. can be fatal.
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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The handle should be held on with a screw, and you should be able buy a replacement handle and replace the one on yours.
Why someone would call a licensed propane dealer I have no idea, I guess to much panic syndrome. You are not even talking about a item that is leaking.
Fred.
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Dakzuki
Carnation, Wa, USA
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Just a note on valves. When you turn it on back off just a tick from "full on" so next time somebody "turns it on" they can tell it already is and is not stuck. This will keep them from trying to force an already open valve more open.
2011 Itasca Navion 24J
95 Chinook Premier
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freddc1
NY-PA
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Dakzuki wrote:Just a note on valves. When you turn it on back off just a tick from "full on" so next time somebody "turns it on" they can tell it already is and is not stuck. This will keep them from trying to force an already open valve more open.
That's a great idea. Will also save me a few minutes going through the "righty-tighty...." saying in my head as always wonder if i'm turning things the right way or wrong way when it won't move.
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UnclePokey
43° 23' 9.96
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Joined: 11/21/2004
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Propane valves "back seat" when open to seal the stem from tank pressure.
Open the valve fully or you may get a leak if not.
http://yarchive.net/car/rv/propane_tank_valve.html
About being full. That's not a problem - go ahead and use up the
propane before replacing the valve. A propane tank valve (at least
every one I've ever seen) has a back-seat. That is, a second valve
that seats when the valve is fully opened. This back-seat seals off
the valve stem so that the stem seal does not have to withstand the
pressure. Basically, the stem seal is only for when the valve is in
transit from open to closed or vice versa.
Try turning the valve fully open and gently tightening it against the
resistance. Unless the back-seat is boogered up, this should stop the
gas leak. Then take a small wrench and try tightening the packing nut
(what the stem sticks through.) This should stop the leakage for
good. If not, you can always replace the valve.
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hotbyte
Barnesville GA
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Did just the knob break and the stem is still intact?
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joe b.
Florida
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As mentioned above, if it is just the knob itself that broke in two, a single screw, usually a philips head, is what holds it on. I suspect over the years I have broken a half dozen or more of them. Not easy to tell, if they are "tight" open or closed, and an over zealous supplier can put too much torque on the knob the wrong direction.
Any RV supply store should have one, or most larger propane suppliers. I have used a small adjustable wrench to open and close one till I could find a replacement. There is nothing involving safety that I can imagine. If it is just the knob, anyone with a screwdriver can change it.
joe b.
Stuart Florida
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psmoore
Illinois
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Here are two pictures to show everyone what I am talking about. Thanks for the help.
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Is it at all possible the valve is already fully on?
Try turning it OFF and see what happens.
After you get a new handle, of course.
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