Topsblades
Southeast US
New Member
Joined: 03/10/2012
View Profile
 Offline
|
I guess a 20 year old Class B will always be a work in progress. I had the propane of my RV topped off when the truck came to fill up my house tank. The tank had some LP in it when I bought it and I've run the hot water heater and the stove. It wasn't full, I guess it was about half.
This morning I went outside and heard a hiss from the RV. I walked up and smelled gas. I knelt down next to the tank and sure enough right from the tank area, I couldn't pin point it. I turned off the knob and the hissing stopped. I turned it back on a little later and it resumed.
I noticed that there was a warning about not filling the tank above 80%. I am hoping that this might be the issue. IF the tank was was above 80% maybe the issue is gas leaking out of an escape valve.
I plan on calling my new "Buddy" at Backroads RV and ask him about it.
Do you guys have some ideas for me? I am praying that I'll be able to take this rig North to Alaska to visit my son this summer. I need to have some confidence in it and I'm hoping that it doesn't nickle and dime me to death before I depart.
I appreciate your time,
Rick
|
katysdad
Virginia
Senior Member
Joined: 08/03/2010
View Profile
|
sounds like the regulator or a fittng or hose at the tank. Not an overfill issue if it stops when you turn the valve off. Get a spray bottle with some soapy water and spray on the regulator and lines until you see bubbles. The regulator will have a vent made into it, if it's leaking there you will need to replace the regulator. Simple & inexpensive job.
Dodge Ram 3500 DRW Diesel
|
Handbasket
Asheville, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 01/17/2003
View Profile
|
Agreed. It's probably a 2-stage regulator, and one of the diaphragms has ruptured. It can even happen to a new RV; BTDT. The hoses may be brittle due to age. From my limited experience, they are about as costly as the regulator. But it shouldn't be a high dollar job.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
(edited to correct too-early typing errors)
* This post was
edited 04/02/12 05:14am by Handbasket *
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigervehicles.com
|
PSW
Oklahoma City
Senior Member
Joined: 10/21/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
It is a good idea for everyone to use that soapy water and brush or spray it on every LPG connection at the start of every season, just as a part of prep for the "season". That is a quick, easy and free way to stop or avoid trouble.
My guess is the same as Handbasket's: regulator or a pin hole in a hose when it was pressurized.
PSW
2007 Roadtrek 210 Popular
|
studio_driver
Calgary, AB Canada
Full Member
Joined: 11/08/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Could it be a leak at the valve stem? They can leak if not fully opened or closed, although not to the point of hearing a hissing sound. Again, the soap test is the best investigating tool.
Alain
2007 PW Excel TS
2 adults and a collie-cross
|
|
|
VE3ESN
Ontario, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 03/08/2002
View Profile
|
I read recently that the best kind of soap to use is the dollar store "bubble blowing" soap, as it has the correct viscosity.
Jerry & Susie
1996 Roadtrek 190 Versatile (Dodge 5.2 L)
FMCA F390585
Trees are being destroyed through the transportation of invasive insects and diseases in firewood. For more information, please visit www.dontmovefirewood.org
|
Horizon170
Jefferson, GA
Senior Member
Joined: 02/25/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
VE3ESN wrote:I read recently that the best kind of soap to use is the dollar store "bubble blowing" soap, as it has the correct viscosity.
You beat me to it.  That's what we use.
The propane tank should have a pressure relief valve for safety but if it stopped hissing when you turned the knob to off then follow the other advice and use bubbles to detect the leak.
For safety you should have inside the Van a CO2 and a Propane detector.
Both mounted according to the instructions regarding height.
Safe Travels.
Marvin
|
