Oil in propane components

[Walter Pigeon]

I didn't find this issue in a search, so here goes...

I disassembled the components outboard of the propane tank isolation valve to replace the safety shutoff solenoid as part of an aged out propane detector/shutoff... when I took the dual stage regulator off a good amount of light clear oil ran out of the regulator and down line components… (solenoid, pipe and hose to manifold.

Is this normal as in do they add lubricant to propane for some reason or did part of the dual regulator fail ?

TIA,
Walt

[TitanMike]

Was the oil really stinky? The odorant that they use in Propane is somewhat oily so perhaps it condensed the regulator and leaked out in oil form.

Can't imagine any other possible source as LPG systems operate without oil or lube.

[Walter Pigeon]

Thanks Mike... I had a inkling that it might be an additive for odor... stinks to high heaven !!

Walt

[IsleDog]

I have only seen oil ever added to propane for Airsoft, but not for RV's anything else. apparently, though it IS indeed added. see the forum below about where it comes from. exactly as OP described.

https://fishingminnesota.com/forums/...-propane-line/

[A32Deuce]

That explains why the compartment where I store the extend a stay hose always smells of propane.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

That explains why the compartment where I store the extend a stay hose always smells of propane.

Wait until you smell the inside of a freight company's delivery truck when they've hauled a couple of drums of Ethyl Mercaptan that have leaked slightly around the "bung". This is the stuff that's added to LPG to make it stink.

I got a delivery one day and when the driver opened the back door it hit us like a wall of stink. Driver said it had been like that for a couple weeks after he made a delivery of the stuff to a LPG processing site.

More persistent than getting sprayed by a skunk

[Bytesponge]

Originally Posted by Walter Pigeon

I didn't find this issue in a search, so here goes...

I disassembled the components outboard of the propane tank isolation valve to replace the safety shutoff solenoid as part of an aged out propane detector/shutoff... when I took the dual stage regulator off a good amount of light clear oil ran out of the regulator and down line components… (solenoid, pipe and hose to manifold.

Is this normal as in do they add lubricant to propane for some reason or did part of the dual regulator fail ?

TIA,
Walt

Walter Pigeon;
Had the same problem on my FR 30FW. The regulator for the main onboard Horizontal tank was placed below vapor line and eventually killed my regulator. The liquid poured out when I removed it. Replumbed and placed new regulator above vapor line and voila no more problems.
Bytesponge

[TexasBob]

Ethyl Mercaptan is the odorant used but is less than a pint per 10,000 gallons of propane. It is powerful and takes very little to odorize propane. I think the most like culprit is a bad batch of propane. There can be a lot of lube oil involved in processing natural gas into propane. To meet specifications it should never have free oil in it and it should never freeze. Good propane has zero water in it.

[jkoenig24]

When excessively LONG hoses are used, said hose can become clogged with oil. This usually happens when a large external propane tank is used. In such situations, it's important to be using the correct regulators. The RVGEEKS did a YouTube video on this unusual circumstance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jovTYfltUO0

[Walter Pigeon]

Further, Gentlemen...
The propane detector replacement kit comes with a new 12volt solenoid... Our original solenoid was piped for 3/8"IP and the replacement is 1/4" IP... thoughts on just resizing the line with bushings and new nipples to adapt to existing.

What has anyone else done to address the difference? and will it make any difference as the line pressure is so low after the regulator ?

Thanx

[A32Deuce]

Originally Posted by Walter Pigeon

Further, Gentlemen...

The propane detector replacement kit comes with a new 12volt solenoid... Our original solenoid was piped for 3/8"IP and the replacement is 1/4" IP... thoughts on just resizing the line with bushings and new nipples to adapt to existing.



What has anyone else done to address the difference? and will it make any difference as the line pressure is so low after the regulator ?



Thanx

No reason why not.