Leaking Propane Tank

Tombsy

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2015
Messages
864
Just need to vent a bit, sorry no pun intended lol, my 2016 Forester 2801QS is at my service/exhaust shop to get a Banks exhaust kit installed. They noticed a propane smell and actually found a pinhole leak in the tank at the weld for the end cap. Not good in a welding shop.
They took it to a propane company that flared off the 1/2 a tank of remaining propane and are looking for a replacement tank.
But the kicker is he sees this 6 or 7 times a year and it is all on tanks made in Mexico.
It’s the first time I’ve ever heard of this issue and I’m still kind of in disbelief. I haven’t talked to my insurance company yet, I’m not sure if they will be any help.
Rant over thanks [emoji3]
 
Wow.

I can’t count how many threads I’ve read here over the years.

Never heard of this problem being identified before, but I’m going to haves look at mine tomorrow. Any identification on your tank as to what make, model, manufacturer date?
 
Wow.

I can’t count how many threads I’ve read here over the years.

Never heard of this problem being identified before, but I’m going to haves look at mine tomorrow. Any identification on your tank as to what make, model, manufacturer date?


No kidding it’s a first for me too, I don’t have any info right now but when I get my rig home I’ll post it for sure.
A replacement tank won’t be exactly the same size, he said it’s slightly bigger so he might have to fab up a new bracket for one end. But it will be made in the USA.
Plus I have to pull out my recliners so he can access the bolts [emoji3].
 
Tombsy, thanks for posting. As this is a highway capable vehicle, and leaking propane is a safety hazard, this should be reported to the NHTSA. If just one person claims to see this “6 or 7 times a year”, there could potentially be many, many NHTSA reports, if people bothered to report. Then the problem could be investigated and a proper recall issued.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#index

If the OP could share their tank model, manufacturer, and build date, others on the forum may benefit.
 
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Here’s my tank info, it’s on my 2016 Forester 2801QS. I’m still waiting for a replacement tank and it looks like the passenger side living room slide has to be removed to get at the bolts that hold the tank brackets [emoji853].
IMG_0827.jpg


IMG_0829.jpg
 
Here’s my tank info, it’s on my 2016 Forester 2801QS. I’m still waiting for a replacement tank and it looks like the passenger side living room slide has to be removed to get at the bolts that hold the tank brackets [emoji853].
View attachment 294193


View attachment 294194

Thank you for supplying the tank label image. The “Certified by” label on my Sunseeker’s tank is the same, except the year on mine is 2019.

I hope this leak problem (seen “6 or 7 times a year”) has been reported to the NHTSA. I’d like to see this issue investigated and if necessary, a recall issued. Meanwhile I will watch mine closely.
 
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Thank you for supplying the tank label image. The “Certified by” label on my Sunseeker’s tank is the same, except the year on mine is 2019.

I hope this leak problem (seen “6 or 7 times a year”) has been reported to the NHTSA. I’d like to see this issue investigated and if necessary, a recall issued. Meanwhile I will watch mine closely.


I’ve contacted my dealer to see what they have to say and they are supposed to be contacting FR warranty, I’m not expecting much but we’ll see.
I’m in Canada, I guess our equivalent of the NHTSA is Transport Canada.
 
My 2024 Solera also has a weld failure on my propane tank. Forest River will make good on the warranty issue. I hope the removal/install will be easy.
 

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I bet there is a safety standard somewhere
tanks can and do leak ... that's why they are suppose to be stored outside

tanks need inspection every x years too ... they get old
welds can corrode get a pinhole... it happens and is no biggie.

a small pin hole is not very dangerous ...as it will dissipate pretty quick in a breeze
chances of ignition slim...

chances of explosion..... about as close to zero as you can get .
unless you are storing it inside a enclosed room (BAD)

even if there was a gas pocket to ignite... the pocket would go "POOF" just like my BBQ does some days when I am slow with the igniter
pin hole won't supply enough gas to continue the burn! Big holes............... will

Inspect you TANK setup regularly... don't let a minor problem grow into a huge disaster.

and a good GAS attendant (the guy that fills your tank)
should take notice of old tanks and refuse to fill tanks without a current inspection label.

--------- -------------------------------------
Can't get another tank?
pinch one from your BBQ .... strap it in place or carry it some other temporary manner
hook it up when you need it
----------------------------------------------------------------------

reporting a 10 year old gas tank to the GUBBERMENT ... yup do that they need a good giggle some days too!
 
"Pinch one from your BBQ"... Uh, those are propane BOTTLES, which are not the same as the ASME tanks on motorhomes. Where bottles must be inspected and replaced periodically, the permanently mounted tanks are much thicker and designed to last many years beyond the life of a motorhome. As such, they should never need replacing, much less inspection.
 
"Pinch one from your BBQ"..


but can you use a 20 pound tank in a emergency? do the hoses fit?

you are correct that ASME don't get certified but they do need inspections every so often
just in case a weld starts leaking etc
 
Just need to vent a bit, sorry no pun intended lol, my 2016 Forester 2801QS is at my service/exhaust shop to get a Banks exhaust kit installed. They noticed a propane smell and actually found a pinhole leak in the tank at the weld for the end cap. Not good in a welding shop.
They took it to a propane company that flared off the 1/2 a tank of remaining propane and are looking for a replacement tank.
But the kicker is he sees this 6 or 7 times a year and it is all on tanks made in Mexico.
It’s the first time I’ve ever heard of this issue and I’m still kind of in disbelief. I haven’t talked to my insurance company yet, I’m not sure if they will be any help.
Rant over thanks [emoji3]
A hunch only.
As a safety item and explosion hazard, this may not be an insurance claim. It's possibly a warranty issue. In the world of safety, warranty items often have VERY long lifespans. Like auto airbags, catalytic converters, seat belts, emission controls, some items are, by law, warranted for a decade or more. Worth exploring. You might get a new one installed for free...including a free tank fill because the propane in the old tank had to be vented.
 
Aussieguy, correct, there is a device called an "extend a stay" that tees into the line before the regulator. To use the device, connect the hose to the propane bottle, close the valve on the MH tank, then open the valve on the bottle. You are all set... unless you are moving! Our refer is on propane while underway, so this setup wouldn't work while traveling... obviously.

This conversation sets the thought, tho... it would be a good idea to check the welds with soapy water on rare occasion! That's a normal procedure when building or refitting hoses and new fittings for a propane setup. Soapy water is your friend, flame is not!
 
INDUSTRIAS GUTIERREZ, S.A. de C.V. appears to be a valid ASME Certificate holder. I would definitely report this deficiency to ASME.org.
 

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I'm not familiar with how tightly tucked in, or how accessible those tanks are, but if you are able to see all around the welds (even using an inspection mirror and a flashlight), one can spray soapy water or Windex around the welds and fittings. Then look for bubbles.
This is an easy way to make a quick inspection of a potential problem.

Rich
 

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