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Old 06-29-2020, 12:29 PM   #1
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Propane smell near tank

I seem to have a propane smell coming from near the tank and is it normal that the security shut off valve is warm ?

Thanks
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Old 06-29-2020, 12:31 PM   #2
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Smell no. Get out a spray bottle of soapy water and find out where. The 12 volt shut off gets hot.
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Old 06-29-2020, 01:05 PM   #3
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Thanks , will do right now.
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Old 06-29-2020, 01:07 PM   #4
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Did you just fill a tank? Is one full and sitting in hot sun?
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Old 06-29-2020, 01:32 PM   #5
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mine did that earlier this year. Regulator went bad. 8 years old.
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Old 06-29-2020, 02:13 PM   #6
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gas smell

tanks on for reefer, ready to roll, smelled gas at tank area, soapy water spray revealed bubbles at the compression fitting on one of the pig tails. shut everything down. went and purchased and installed a longer pig tail for a gentler curve. Turn on tanks... soapy water spray...no bubbles..hit the road.


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Old 06-29-2020, 02:14 PM   #7
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If unsure take your rig to a propane dealer. They have a "sniffer" that is more accurate than the bubble test for minute leaks.
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Old 06-29-2020, 02:17 PM   #8
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Spray soapy water on all fittings, flare nuts, shutoff and pressure relief valves. Don't forget the face and backside of the regulator. Check the high pressure hose, the one from the tank to the regulator, and the low pressure hose that goes from the regulator to the metal lines if there are any at the fittings and crimps. It's also a good idea to spray the welds on the tank(s).
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Old 06-29-2020, 04:36 PM   #9
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Happened two summers ago. RV park we stayed at overfilled our tank to 125%. It was bleeding bad when we stopped for lunch. Was back in the safe zone when we arrived home.
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Old 06-29-2020, 05:44 PM   #10
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I had a regulator go bad. The rubber diaphragm gave out and it was letting propane gas escape through a tiny little pin hole. You could smell the gas but it never tripped the safety valve. It slowly emptied the tank! I checked with a friend at Suburban Propane and he confirmed that it does happen.
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Old 06-29-2020, 06:43 PM   #11
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Same here, hose fitting went bad. Purchased off amazon, got 2 in a pack. Now I am thinking where is that second one.
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Old 06-29-2020, 07:01 PM   #12
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FWIW, a tank can give off the "Propane Stink" even if not over-filled or anything leaking.

When it's filled, if the operator opens up the "outage valve" (screw on side of valve) the odorant will escape with the propane vapor that's being bled out.

The odorant is ethyl mercaptan and it can stick to surfaces it comes in contact with during the fill process. Just like garlic odor can stick to your hands after a couple of washings this "stink" sticks around until it's totally evaporated from the surfaces.

Not a bad idea to check with soapy water =.
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Old 06-29-2020, 07:19 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Villagerjjm View Post
I had a regulator go bad. The rubber diaphragm gave out and it was letting propane gas escape through a tiny little pin hole. You could smell the gas but it never tripped the safety valve. It slowly emptied the tank! I checked with a friend at Suburban Propane and he confirmed that it does happen.
Had the same thing happen twice. Now I always carry a spare regulator in my tool bin.
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Old 06-30-2020, 04:46 AM   #14
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We bought our current camper used so the dealer was not totally familiar with it. in the PDI, which was very detailed regarding the units systems they did not point out this feature Im describing here.

At times I would smell gas near the right tank where the regulator is located. Not all the time and not strong, very faint.

I could never figure it out and put it down to the regulator leaking. Changing the regulator did not solve the problem.

Then I looked slightly further. There is a quick connect for a flexible gas hose below the tank where the 1/2" galvanized pipe turns 90 degrees and takes the gas back to the camper's appliances.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Propane.../dp/B007HG7TFO

The quick connect fitting incorporates a ball valve operated by a lever. The lever had the ball valve open, but no hose was affixed. The seal internal to the valve is not strong enough to keep the gas from leaking out until the ball valve is closed.

I closed the valve and the problem is solved. I went to far as to by a new valve, same results, the valve has to be kept closed to prevent any leakage at all.............lesson learned
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Old 06-30-2020, 06:37 AM   #15
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Check all the fittings beginning at the tanks. I found a loose compression nut after I had lost 2 full tanks of propane and before I ever smelled it.
Was finger tight so was never tightened.
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Old 07-01-2020, 02:53 PM   #16
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Probably the regulator. Normal to be warm.
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Old 07-01-2020, 03:02 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Villagerjjm View Post
I had a regulator go bad. The rubber diaphragm gave out and it was letting propane gas escape through a tiny little pin hole. You could smell the gas but it never tripped the safety valve. It slowly emptied the tank! I checked with a friend at Suburban Propane and he confirmed that it does happen.
Same here. Easy fix.
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Old 07-01-2020, 03:09 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TitanMike View Post
FWIW, a tank can give off the "Propane Stink" even if not over-filled or anything leaking.

When it's filled, if the operator opens up the "outage valve" (screw on side of valve) the odorant will escape with the propane vapor that's being bled out.

The odorant is ethyl mercaptan and it can stick to surfaces it comes in contact with during the fill process. Just like garlic odor can stick to your hands after a couple of washings this "stink" sticks around until it's totally evaporated from the surfaces.

Not a bad idea to check with soapy water =.

I can vouch for this also...

I'm set up to fill my own propane tanks from the 500gal bulk tank here at the house. Every time I fill tanks, I stink like mercaptan for the rest of the day.
Sometimes the tanks will stink too for a while.
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