Propane Advice October 28, 2024, 12:45:06 pm Just discovered when I fully open the shutoff valve to the propane tank that there is a slight leak from the stem. If I back it off a bit, the leak stops. I know propane is serious business so intend to have the valve replaced. A local shop said they can do it for about $400 total (yikes, I may need to call around!) but it needs to be done.My question is, I just had the tank filled and the tech said they cannot recover that propane. I'm wondering if I can continue to use the tank until empty if I back the valve off enough to stop the leak. Penny-wise or Pound-foolish? 1 Likes
Re: Propane Advice Reply #1 – October 28, 2024, 03:38:01 pm "I'm wondering if I can continue to use the tank until empty if I back the valve off enough to stop the leak."I would do just that! as long as there's no apparent leak I'd think you are good to go. However, I would use a leak detector fluid to make sure.As to changing the leaky valve you might touch bases with a bulk propane supplier, there's a chance they can do it for you!
Re: Propane Advice Reply #2 – October 28, 2024, 04:51:46 pm Quote from: HiLola - October 28, 2024, 12:45:06 pmJust discovered when I fully open the shutoff valve to the propane tank that there is a slight leak from the stem. If I back it off a bit, the leak stops. I know propane is serious business so I intend to have the valve replaced. A local shop said they can do it for about $400 total (yikes, I may need to call around!) but it needs to be done.My question is, I just had the tank filled and the tech said they cannot recover that propane. I'm wondering if I can continue to use the tank until empty if I back the valve off enough to stop the leak. Penny-wise or Pound-foolish?If your valve has a small hex bolt-head behind the knob, it may be an adjustment for the valve seal's packing. Check to see if the hex head can be slightly tightened, at the same time watch to see if the leak stops.Here is what the RV shop is going to do for $400.With the tank drained, there is no outward pressure of gas. Working in a well-ventilated area, the tech will unscrew the old service valve and immediately replace it with a new valve. The whole process takes about fifteen minutes. The biggest issue is having the right tool to remove the old valve. A new valve costs less than $30.Manchester Tank V20373 Propane Tank Service Valve POL x 3/4" NPTLarry 1 Likes
Re: Propane Advice Reply #3 – October 28, 2024, 04:53:56 pm Very few shops can recover the propane so don’t even try. I’ve been there. It takes about four days to burn it off through the furnace. I had a leak that would not stop (not an LD) so had to remove the tank from the coach, put it on a long hose back to the coach and burn it off. $400 is too much and a propane shop is the place to go, not an RV shop. The valve itself is difficult to find. On line sources were back ordered or just never delivered. I finally found one over the counter for $40. Your first assignment is to get a valve.The valve is only used in the RV world. The propane suppliers I tried had outrageous prices. I think the highest was $160. I must have looked pretty stupid when I walked in the door.It can be removed with a crow foot wrench, 1/2” X 12” extension and a breaker bar. Took less than an hour, mostly belly scratching time, for me. It is a normal direction thread but the fittings into it I think are reverse thread.The propane vendor is the place to go but they have to be willing to do it. Congratulations on noticing the leak before the boom. If you were in Phoenix I’d loan you the tools and watch from afar!Tightening the hex under the knob is good advice. Note that hex is reverse thread!Hopefully RV Upgrades will send you one. I ordered from several vendors and none shipped. 1 Likes
Re: Propane Advice Reply #4 – October 28, 2024, 05:09:13 pm Several years ago, our LD's service valve started humming when propane was being used. The greater the consumption of propane, the noisier the valve became.I was able to buy the new valve from RVupgrades and installed it myself. I waited until the tank was nearly empty and ran it dry using the furnace.Larry
Re: Propane Advice Reply #5 – October 28, 2024, 06:36:25 pm Thanks for your replies, I think it's something I might attempt myself. What's the worse that can happen . . . ? Is there a special tool to do this job?
Re: Propane Advice Reply #6 – October 28, 2024, 07:01:40 pm I listed them above. A crow foot open end wrench and a way to turn it. I’ll check the size tonight.Looks like 7/8” crow foot. Measure your valve when you get it.Maybe you can do it without a crow foot but I used one. 1 Likes
Re: Propane Advice Reply #7 – October 28, 2024, 07:50:04 pm Before replacing the valve, try slightly tightening the valve shaft hex nut, as Larry said, to compress the shaft packing tighter against the shaft. Then test again.Steve 2 Likes
Re: Propane Advice Reply #8 – October 29, 2024, 07:59:06 am I always thought that the shut off valve had to be fully opened ( back seated ) and that would seal the stem assembly. They can leak a little from closed to the fully open position in which case you could try tightening the packing. Same principle as an acetylene bottle.Jon 1 Likes
Re: Propane Advice Reply #9 – October 29, 2024, 08:57:06 am Harry mentioned the packing nut is reverse thread, so to use a spin on an old mnemonic, righty loosey, lefty tighty?It’s pretty tight in there but here’s my best attempt at taking a phone photo. Looks like the handle can be removed for easier access to the packing nut?
Re: Propane Advice Reply #10 – October 29, 2024, 02:30:38 pm The cuts on the nut mean reverse thread so righty loosey lefty tighty. Mine was so old the handle would not come off and packing nut would not move. If it doesn’t budge, don’t try too hard. I ended up breaking the pot metal handle. Ain’t RVing fun! 2 Likes
Re: Propane Advice Reply #11 – October 29, 2024, 03:42:16 pm Thanks for everyone's input on this! I will attempt to stop the leak first but ordered a new valve from RV Upgrades (thanks for the link!) just in case. Will follow up when I have more info. 1 Likes
Re: Propane Advice Reply #12 – November 04, 2024, 01:23:34 pm Here is an update. I removed the plastic regulator cover and was able to remove the shut-off valve handle to get a better look at the leak. I tried to tighten the packing nut but couldn’t get it to easily move so decided not to force it. The leak is at where the valve stem goes into the valve body (I didn’t notice any leaking where the packing nut screws into the valve body). When the valve is opened, even partially, the stem is loose and easily “jiggled” with the vise grips. I did purchase a new valve as it will need to be replaced. I’m thinking that it might be wise to replace the regulator at the same time. So, I guess my question is since the propane tank is full, is it safe to use or should I empty the tank and do the replacement?
Re: Propane Advice Reply #13 – November 04, 2024, 03:01:07 pm If you open the valve completely, all the way to back seat, does the leak stop? If it does then use up the gas and replace it at your leisure. Our old motorhome would leak some while opening the valve but never when fully back seated.Jon 1 Likes
Re: Propane Advice Reply #14 – November 06, 2024, 06:03:43 pm Quote from: JonS - November 04, 2024, 03:01:07 pmIf you open the valve completely, all the way to back seat, does the leak stop? If it does then use up the gas and replace it at your leisure. Our old motorhome would leak some while opening the valve but never when fully back seated.Odd thing, now the valve doesn’t seem to be leaking. Curiously, I had the tank filled just before noticing the leakage. Is it possible that overfilling the tank could cause the valve to leak? 🤔
Re: Propane Advice Reply #15 – November 07, 2024, 03:05:02 pm I was told that propane line is tapered, so doesn't leak if it is fully open or fully closed. Don't stop in the middle.Kristin
Re: Propane Advice Reply #16 – November 07, 2024, 03:59:52 pm Quote from: HiLola - November 06, 2024, 06:03:43 pmOdd thing, now the valve doesn’t seem to be leaking. Curiously, I had the tank filled just before noticing the leakage. Is it possible that overfilling the tank could cause the valve to leak? 🤔The valve should not leak under any condition, it has leaked in the past and will the future. It didn't fix itself.Go camping in the cold mountains where the furnace will be appreciated. Run the tank dry and then go home and have it changed.A few LDs have burned to the ground over the years; we don't want to read about your LD doing the same.Larry 3 Likes
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