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Topic: Loss of Propane (Read 2 times) previous topic - next topic
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Loss of Propane
Yahoo Message Number: 129529
Had about 1/2 tank of propane when I put my 2002 23.5' LD in storage for about 3 months and find now that the gauge reads empty--??.  I'm fairly certain the tank was turned off--don't remember if I closed or opened when I came back to LD.  A friend said he had same problem on his Class A and it was the diaphragm on the furnace, but his tank was open.  He stated if the tank was turned off then it had to be in the propane system where I was loosing the gas.
 Has anyone experienced this type problem?  If so, can you give me any details?  Probably best if I put a gallon of propane in the tank and turn it on and then spray the old tried and true soap and water mixture.

John K

Re: Loss of Propane
Reply #1
Yahoo Message Number: 129534
Quote
Has anyone experienced this type problem?  If so, can you give me any details?  Probably best if I put a gallon of propane in the tank and turn it on and then spray the old tried and true soap and water mixture.
Is the tank actually empty? Can you turn on the valve and light the stove, etc? If so, then you might try running the furnace, all stove burners, and the water heater for 5 min. Feel the side of the tank - you will feel a level below which it feels cold, and above it will be at ambient temperature. This marks the propane level in the tank. You may have a bad sensor/gauge.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit

 
Re: Loss of Propane
Reply #2
Yahoo Message Number: 129539
John

Propane gauges are notorious for giving false readings.
I would add a small amount of propane and then use a manometer to test the system for leaks.
http://www.rverscorner.com/manometer.html> I would also get a bottle of commercial gas leak detector and dab it on all the accessible gas fittings and watch for bubbles. Slow leaks can take many hours to form a visible bubble.
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/cleaning/drain-openers/rectorseal/8-oz-better-bubble-gas-leak-detector-65796.html> Leave the propane on for a day of so and have someone with a sensitive nose check the rig out, especially around the propane tank.
 Another note. The paint on the propane tanks deteriorates very quickly once it has a few chips. It you live in an area that salts the roads, the damage can be severe within a few years. You will notice the paint first going bad on the bottom of the tanks with the the rust creeping under the paint, leading to peeling.
The cure is scrapping, sanding and then using a rust encapsulator and a couple coats of paint.
http://www.eastwood.com/rust-encapsulator.html>

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)