Frozen gas valve

[robert claus]

Anyone ever have a gas valve that won't open? I disconnected my LP tanks to weigh them. One about empty, so I took it to be filled. The other tanks is full. For some stupid reason, I tried to open the full one while it was disconnected. The knob wouldn't turn. I just figured it was a safety system (these tanks have the new style valves and knobs), and that when I screwed on the gas line, it would be okay. It wasn't. When I had the other tank filled, I asked them about the stuck valve I had. I was told to turn it harder. I did, with channel lock pliers, and the knob broke. So....can I get a replacement knob? I looked online, but can't find anything. Can I release some interior binding pressure by turning the little screw on the side of the tank valve, with the tank hooked up?

[Minno]

I would bring the tank to a propane dealer. I'm thinking the valve seized, and will need to be replaced.

Chris

[reo]

large gas dealers should have repair kits for most valves. Depending upon the age and condition of your tank you might think new tank. As a foot note, sometimes with the new safety valves if your tank was disconnected from the system, your valve might have been in the open position already and not leaking gas due to the safety valve doing it's job. You could have been trying to force open an already open vave. Just a thought.

[Jim Foster]

You said that the tank was disconnected when you tried to open the valve. If the tank is disconnected, and you open the valve, no gas will come out.


Are you sure that the valve was not already open? Perhaps you could not turn the valve in a counter clockwise direction because it was already open.

Did you try to close the valve?

[azflycaster]

Maybe the valve is open. Try to close it first...

[Jammer]

Robert

Newer valves are equipped with two safety features that prevent gas from flowing:
1) The connecter is designed so that gas will not flow unless the hose is screwed on
2) There is an excess flow valve that latches shut whenever the flow of gas exceeds a reasonable rate, generally 100,000 btu/h or so.

The excess flow valve is reset by turning the valve handwheel to the "shut" position then opening it again. Sometimes the excess flow valve will shut and latch if the handwheel is turned to the "open" position too quickly.

I would imagine that on your valve the excess flow mechanism is latched shut, which is why you can't get gas to flow even with the handwheel open. You probably broke the handwheel by forcing it to turn when the valve was already open.

My suggestion is to take the tank to a reputable dealer and have them fix it.

[robert claus]

Thanks, Jammer. It must be that the excess flow valve is latched, and won't release. The valve was closed to start, and will not turn in either direction. I had only tried to crack it open, but that must have been enough to trip it. I'll take it to the LP dealer for repair, and I'll report what happens.