Gas leak

[Brauma]

We just got back from a 4 day trip to Holliday Lake State park in VA. Had a great time.

One problem, I kept smelling gas whenever I had the tank valve open. It wasnt too heavy of a leak - I just got a good wiff every so often as I passed the front of the camper. It seems to be coming from the regulator or the fitting to the tank.

I had a spare LP tank so I put it on thinking the 1st tank may have a bad o-ring or seal of some sort. Got the same thing with the spare tank. So its not in the tank.

Note - I didnt smell LP anywhere but the front of the camper where the tank is mounted. If I had smelled it inside the camper I wouldnt have used the stove even though we had the stove mounted to the outside of the PU.

Question: Is there a LP gas detector/sniffer available? Im not sure how to find the leak.

[dcampbell1969]

We just got back from a 4 day trip to Holliday Lake State park in VA. Had a great time.

One problem, I kept smelling gas whenever I had the tank valve open. It wasnt too heavy of a leak - I just got a good wiff every so often as I passed the front of the camper. It seems to be coming from the regulator or the fitting to the tank.

I had a spare LP tank so I put it on thinking the 1st tank may have a bad o-ring or seal of some sort. Got the same thing with the spare tank. So its not in the tank.

Note - I didnt smell LP anywhere but the front of the camper where the tank is mounted. If I had smelled it inside the camper I wouldnt have used the stove even though we had the stove mounted to the outside of the PU.

Question: Is there a LP gas detector/sniffer available? Im not sure how to find the leak.

My parents have one.  I'll have to check and see who makes it and where they got it.

[AustinBoston]

Question: Is there a LP gas detector/sniffer available? Im not sure how to find the leak.

Are you looking for something that will alarm if gas starts to leak, or something that will help you find an existing leak?

If the former (alarm), I'm surprised your pop-up doesn't already have one.  They are about the size of a small smoke detector.  Because LP is heavier than air, they are usually located close to the floor.

If the latter (help finding leak), I would just make up some soapy water (one part dishwashing liquid, five parts water should do it), turn on the propane, and paint it on to each connection point wit a small brush.  Bubbles indicate a leak.  A lot cheaper than a sniffer that you are not likely to use again.

Austin

[flyfisherman]

One problem, I kept smelling gas whenever I had the tank valve open. It wasnt too heavy of a leak - I just got a good wiff every so often as I passed the front of the camper.  

Note - I didnt smell LP anywhere but the front of the camper where the tank is mounted. If I had smelled it inside the camper I wouldnt have used the stove even though we had the stove mounted to the outside of the PU.

I suspect the tank is getting near empty. L/P tanks have this knack of smelling when they are close to empty.


Fly

[mike4947]

The most common issue with your symptoms is a regulator diaphram going bad. Next would be a loose or broken fitting, and the third most common issue would be a ozone/UV degraded hose.
Since I've traveled my share of rough roads at speeds that tend to shake things a "little"; I keep a bottle of kid's bubble soap in the junk drawer for checking for leaks.

[Brauma]

If the latter (help finding leak), I would just make up some soapy water (one part dishwashing liquid, five parts water should do it), turn on the propane, and paint it on to each connection point wit a small brush.  Bubbles indicate a leak.  A lot cheaper than a sniffer that you are not likely to use again.

Austin

This is what I did and I found the leak. The brass 90 on top of the regulator was cracked right across the top. It looks like the former owner put too much teflon dope tape on the threads of the fitting from the hose to the tank and then overtightened it. The 90 had a fine crack all the way through it.

It looks exactly like this one:


Ok, cool. Problem found. Now, all is need to do is buy the proper fitting. Will any brass 90 do? (As long as the threads match of course) Or is it special brass for LP purposes?

While Im asking questions about LP... I have some liquid teflon that I use instead of the dope tape soemtimes. I usually use it when screwing brass into plastic so as not to crack the plastic. Can I use the liquid teflon for an LP job?

[Brauma]

Just a final note to wrap up this thread. Here's what I did. While replacing the brass "90", aka an "elbow", I used a product called RectorSeal. Its a liquid teflon that an be used on threads instead of tape. Its rated for water or LP gas. I just tightened enough to prevent a leak - not over-tightened.

You can see the new brass elbow and the tube of RectorSeal in this pic:


Hope this may help some of my fellow campers in the future.

[mike4947]

As always check any sealant/tape you intend to seal propane fittings with. There are more than one "type" and only certain ones are truely propane rated for the long haul. Been there, done the wrong thing, and wondered why I would have leaks on fittings that were "tight". Propane degrades certain chemical compounds over time.
Not to mention read the directions on liquid/paste type for the amount of curing/drying time needed before using/applying pressure to the fitting.

[Brauma]

As always check any sealant/tape you intend to seal propane fittings with. There are more than one "type" and only certain ones are truely propane rated for the long haul. Been there, done the wrong thing, and wondered why I would have leaks on fittings that were "tight". Propane degrades certain chemical compounds over time.
Not to mention read the directions on liquid/paste type for the amount of curing/drying time needed before using/applying pressure to the fitting.

Great advice Mike. I found this on the RectorSeal Website:

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Stir before using.

2. Wipe threads clean.

3. For pipe diameters up to 1 1/4", apply to male threads only. For larger sizes, apply to both male and female threads.

4. Join pipe per ANSI Standards.  Piping may be placed into service immediately.

http://www.rectorseal2.com/files/213/dstplus2.htm

I didn't think about a curing/drying time when I replaced the fitting and I tested it immediately. Got lucky. All well that ends well.  

[mike4947]

Mark, I take it you're like me: I'd rather be lucky than good sometimes...LOL

[AustinBoston]

Is that like "It is easier to get forgiveness than permission?"

Austin