Propane Leak

Topic: Propane Leak (Read 1837 times) previous topic - next topic

Propane Leak

November 25, 2015, 11:56:30 am

We are on our leased lot in Lakewood NM. Thought I would have a propane tank installed on the lot so a as not to deplete the propane in the on board tank. When the installer checked the hookup for leaks he told me I had a propane leak in the coach and could not hook up the tank. Also said the leak was so small that we probably would not notice it. I have gone through a quart of bubble spray to no avail. I have five propane lines off the onboard propane tank. Two 1/2 inch lines: one for the front furnace another for the rear furnace and the Gaggineau two burner stove top. Three 3/8 inch lines: one for the hot water heater, one for the refrigerator and one for?

I suspect the stove top is probably the issue it seems one of the fittings has a gasket, have not isolated it yet will do that today if I can get aa 3/8 inch barb fitting for my leak detector. But what is the third 3/8 inch lines for I only have five propane appliances.

Roland

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #1 – November 25, 2015, 11:59:30 am

Roland, could it be for an out-door grill?

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #2 – November 25, 2015, 01:00:41 pm

Quote from: Horace B. Cupp – November 25, 2015, 11:59:30 am

Roland, could it be for an out-door grill?

The "extra" line feeds back into the rig with all the other lines. I have not seen any external grill hookup.

Roland

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #3 – November 25, 2015, 01:15:07 pm

Didn't you already figure out the five lines or am I misunderstanding the issue?
-1/2" front furnace
-1/2" rear furnace
-3/8" hot water heater
-3/8" stovetop
-3/8" refrigerator

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #4 – November 25, 2015, 01:28:45 pm

I think he is talking total of 6.

I am not sure how many I have. Will have to look when I get home. I also feel I have a leak but can not figure out where it is. When I have the gas turned off at the tank there is no scent. When turned on there is a smell of propane but have no clue where the leak is unless it is one of the copper pipes.

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #5 – November 25, 2015, 02:01:56 pm

Quote from: turbojack – November 25, 2015, 01:28:45 pm

When turned on there is a smell of propane but have no clue where the leak is unless it is one of the copper pipes.

I have had the main shut-off valve leak and no amount of soap,etc. would locate it. After spending Coach Bucks with techs that should have known, (and replaced stuff I did not need) to no avail, I leaned in to the compartment , got in close and found the leak! Replacing the main valve is a bearcat, hard to fully drain the tank, for one thing, but that could be your problem. Let us know what the "pros" find. Good luck, a leak like that (I'm a smoker) is not only dangerous, but doth not make one popular with your neighbors at the park!

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #6 – November 25, 2015, 02:03:05 pm

Quote from: rsihnhold – November 25, 2015, 01:15:07 pm

Didn't you already figure out the five lines or am I misunderstanding the issue?
-1/2" front furnace
-1/2" rear furnace
-3/8" hot water heater
-3/8" stovetop
-3/8" refrigerator

The stove top is T into the rear furnace 1/2 inch line. That leaves one "mysterious" 3/8 inch line.

Roland

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #7 – November 25, 2015, 02:07:23 pm

Quote from: mike leary – November 25, 2015, 02:01:56 pm

Let us know what the "pros" find. Good luck, a leak like that (I'm a smoker) is not only dangerous, but doth not make one popular with your neighbors at the park!

In this case I'm the expert. I purchased a gauge, same one the pros had, and I hope I can find the leak by isolating stuff. May not be an expert now but will be a lot closure to one when I get finished.

Roland

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #8 – November 25, 2015, 02:09:54 pm

Quote from: mike leary – November 25, 2015, 02:01:56 pm

I have had the main shut-off valve leak and no amount of soap,etc. would locate it.

Thanks for that will check it out first. Work room the tank out.

Roland

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #9 – November 25, 2015, 02:13:59 pm

A tech will have a special (usually shop-made) wrench to remove the valve: with mine, it was a two-man job to unscrew it! No one will let you vent propane because of ka-boom! My guy told me of a flat, un-occupied place to drain the tank. It took forever, even with all propane systems lit! I finally broke the rules and opened the bleeder, it still had enough in the tank to freak-out the tech (and me) when we pulled the valve!

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #10 – November 25, 2015, 03:45:01 pm

Quote from: Roland Begin – November 25, 2015, 02:09:54 pm

Work room the tank out.

Roland

Darn self correct. "will check out the tank shutoff". Was in a hurry and did not check my post before I posting.

Roalnd

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #11 – November 25, 2015, 03:48:00 pm

I chased a propane leak for almost a year. I replaced the fill valve, the shutoff valve, and the bleeder valve and still had a leak.
I was sitting there with the compartment door open late in the afternoon, just shaking my head (could hear it rattle) and the sun was on that side of the coach. I could SEE the shadow of the propane fumes coming out the bottom of the regulator!!
Replaced the regulator and haven't had a leak since!! I had tried the liquid that was supposed to locate leaks but never thought to apply it to the screen on the regulator. I applied it all around every fitting after totally dismantling the pipes in the compartment and re-doping the ends and didn't find my leak.

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #12 – November 25, 2015, 04:00:14 pm

Quote from: nitehawk – November 25, 2015, 03:48:00 pm

I could SEE the shadow of the propane fumes coming out the bottom of the regulator!! Replaced the regulator and haven't had a leak since!! I had tried the liquid that was supposed to locate leaks but never thought to apply it to the screen on the regulator.

You lucked out by being at the right angle! The regulator is easy to replace (even I've done it!), but the master valve leaks so slowly, that most would be hard-pressed to find it. The OP would just be wise to replace the mstr. shut-off valve FIRST. I wonder if his/hers propane "sniffer" is going off? Those things will smell spilled whiskey and go off. Don't ask how I know.

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #13 – November 25, 2015, 04:09:40 pm

I still say it was our cat that released the methane. I still say!!

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #14 – November 25, 2015, 04:23:15 pm

Quote from: nitehawk – November 25, 2015, 04:09:40 pm

I still say it was our cat that released the methane. I still say!!

Our coach was once owned by a member of the Greatfull Dead, it was a nitrous oxide inhaler that leaked first.

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #15 – November 25, 2015, 07:05:46 pm

Roland, don't take a gas leak lightly. A plumber will have an electronic gas sniffer the will quickly locate an otherwise hard to find leak. Most likely at a fitting. Pretty rare for a copper line to fail unless it is rubbing up a hard edge. If in doubt turn off the gas at the tank.

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #16 – November 25, 2015, 07:15:01 pm

Roger, I am not taking the leak lightly am going to find it one way or another. I have the same leak detector that they used to tell me I had a leak in the rig. They do not work on RVs. They also told me the leak was so small we probably never noticed it, well he was correct on that statement. I had a similar situation in our SnB with natural gas. Pros never found it, I did. I'll try and work this one out also. If I have to buy a sniffer then that's what I'll do but I will find the leak.
Roland

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #17 – November 25, 2015, 08:00:02 pm

Good. I'm surprised that the gas detector doesn't work in an RV. I did mean to imply you were taking it lightly, some of the other posts seemed to be. You can disconnect the gas line from the tank or at the regulator and connect a pressure gauge and a schreader valve to it and pressurize the lines to some pressure and see if it holds pressure for 24 hrs. When I built my shop the gas line had to be pressurized to 50 psi (if I rmember correctly) and hold for 24 hrs. The actual gas pressure in your lines past the regulator is much less. If it doesn't hold pressure then you have to start hunting. A higher pressure air charge might show bubbles better than a low pressure gas leak.

Hope you find it.

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #18 – November 25, 2015, 08:17:43 pm

I think I will go replace regulator first. I sprayed the vent with soap but did not see anything. Regulator is easier then depleting all of my propane to replace the valve.

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #19 – November 25, 2015, 08:21:15 pm

Ooooops just reread my last post. The leak detector should work fine in the rig. Is the folks that were installing the tank that don't work on RV's because of a liability issue. Sorry about the confusion.

Roland

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #20 – November 26, 2015, 12:57:32 pm

I just replace the regulator on my couch about a week ago All orders are gone regulator was about $35 at the local RV store

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #21 – November 26, 2015, 07:06:53 pm

So, what does a regulator do on your couch? Sitting here, in a turkey induced near nap, I can just imagine.

Here is a link to a static pressure test fitting.

Amazon.com: Pasco 1427 30-Pound Gas Test Gauge Assembly: Home Improvement

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #22 – November 26, 2015, 07:38:34 pm

Roger,

My turkey induced stupor-- can't figure out how/where to use it.

0-30 PSI is way too low for tank pressure unless in significantly sub-zero temperatures and way too high for post-regulator pressure (11" column water). 11" column water is under 1/2 PSI!

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #23 – November 26, 2015, 08:04:23 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – November 26, 2015, 07:38:34 pm

Roger,

My turkey induced stupor-- can't figure out how/where to use it.

0-30 PSI is way too low for tank pressure unless in significantly sub-zero temperatures and way too high for post-regulator pressure (11" column water). 11" column water is under 1/2 PSI!

Gauge that the tank installers used was 0 35" water column. That is what I purchased. My son that works with propane told me I would have been better off with a hygrometer. Was going to search for the leak today but need a fitting. There's always mananña.

Roland

Re: Propane Leak

Reply #24 – November 26, 2015, 08:30:36 pm

As I understand it the manometers are measuring differential pressure. Say from one side of the regulator to the other or to measure the pressure going into an appliance. The fitting I posted is used to just pressurize your LP plumbing up to 30 psi for example and then let it sit there for 24 hrs to see of there is any pressure loss. There should not be if all the fittings, valves, pipe and other components are free from leaks. That is how the gas plumbing in a new house is tested. Water plumbing too. An air leak is much better than gas or water.

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