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Propane leak

Yesterday I tried to turn on the water heater and kept getting the dreaded red light.  I went outside to check my tank and the gauge read totally empty- last week it was just below 1/2 of a 42 gallon tank.  I thought the gauge was wrong since I had not put in propane since last November 2, so I took the coach to get it filled up.  When we got 39 gallons in and shut off, we heard a hiss and smelled propane.  We quickly found the regulator was leaking badly, so I turned off the valve to save the propane. 

I had to search for a 2-stage regulator, but found one and with several trips to TSC and the local plumbing supply store, I finally got the regulator replaced along with some fittings that broke while I was taking things apart.  I used a stainless steel gas hose ( flexible) with the new fittings and regulator, got it all done, tested for leaks, tried the stove and water heater- all is working with no leaks.  This was the original regulator with fittings- 17 years old, 142000 miles down the road.

I lost about 20 gallons of propane due to the regulator going bad, but it could have been much worse.  Luckily our compartment  is ventilated on the bottom so the propane didn't concentrate and come into the cabin.

The night before Karen told me she smelled something funny, I couldn't smell it because I was sick, so we thought it was the trash and it was taken out.  I share this with you all to try to take anything out of the ordinary serious until you find the cause.  We did not smother or have a fire, but................

We have great machines, but they are machines and will break.  Be careful out there, have fun with your families and friends, and cya down the  road............... ^.^d

Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: Propane leak

Reply #1 –
Have to ask,what about your propane detector?
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Propane leak

Reply #2 –
Ted,

Make sure you got the correct regulator.
They are two stage, and the important thing is that the vent (dime size screened opening) point DOWN. This is really important from a safety standpoint.

So, if the regulator is orientated vertically the vent has to be on the long axis of the regulator.
If installed horizontal, the vent has to be perpendicular to the long axis of the regulator.

The two are the same price and often just one PN different.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Propane leak

Reply #3 –
I got the slightest hint of propane when I was looking in the drawer above so brushed a little soap mixture on the regulator. Sure enough, a bubble was slowly forming where the vent was. About $20 bought a 2 stage regulator with a vent oriented down when installed. It was about an inch longer so had to make up a small strap so it would not vibrate.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Propane leak

Reply #4 –
Quote from: John44 –
Have to ask,what about your propane detector
Our main shut-off leaked. Outside, we could smell it (so could the neighbors) but the new detector did not go off. I hate to say it, but I spilled some Jamesons later, inside, and the detector told me how clumsy I was. :-[
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Propane leak

Reply #5 –
Dave- propane detector did not go off.  I hit the test button and it works, but obviously there was not enough propane in the coach to make it go off.  The leak was at the regulator by the propane tank under the coach
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: Propane leak

Reply #6 –
While I was the motorcade service rep I found out that the ladies could smell propane leaks much quicker than the men, never had a doubt if the lady smelled it.
George Ray 1992 U280 40'

Re: Propane leak

Reply #7 –
Quote from: George –
While I was the motorcade service rep I found out that the ladies could smell propane leaks much quicker than the men, never had a doubt if the lady smelled it.
We've been married for forty years, and have had coaches nearly that long. Maybe our noses are not what they used to be, but we BOTH KNOW when propane is concerned!  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Propane leak

Reply #8 –
My sniffer is usually pretty good, but with this cold or allergies or whatever that is stuffing me up, it is not working worth a hoot..... ;)
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: Propane leak

Reply #9 –
The propane regulator on my 1996 suddenly started leaking about a week ago, but fortunately I could smell the mercaptan agent so shut off the propane before losing very much. I bought a camco regulator which looked identical at the local Lordco Dealer. An exact replacement and nothing broke during disassembly. Maybe for safety, everyone with late nineties coaches would be wise to carefully check their regulators for leaks. I dismantled the old regulator, but could not find an obvious leak (i.e. no pin holes in the diaphragm) but the leak was in the second stage.
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Propane leak

Reply #10 –
While at "Q" the other year I checked a few coaches with a good gas detector,found most of the leaks at the shutoff valve stem.
Some of them can be tightened.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Propane leak

Reply #11 –
Replaced the main fill valve as its internal seal was leaking.  Pressure present when you took off the cap
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4
 

Re: Propane leak

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
Replaced the main fill valve as its internal seal was leaking.  Pressure present when you took off the cap

No one would work on ours until we drained the tank, and not at their places, F.D. regs. One place sent me to a spot out in the boonies where I could drain it down. Even "drained", it sure made a big "poof" when we pulled the valve!
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'