Leak At Propane Tank Hose????

[Rounder44]

Howdy,

Was just checking my tanks and sure enough one was empty. I noticed a slight hiss from the "full" one and could see some fluid sputtering ever so slightly to the fitting behind the large hand nut that screws onto the tank BUT it has absolutely no propane smell. I got right on it and inhaled a big nose full and it is not propane.....

It's ~50° and was as high as 70° all day after some pretty low temps when it was filled.

I came to read up and then checked again and it had stopped.....

But what the heck is that?

Thanks,

Warren

[TG Twinkie]

IMHO it was the regulator venting. If you saw bubbles it was obviously a leak.
Did you tighten the connection?
How old is the tank(s)?
Have you checked for other leaks?
Don't depend on your nose?
At least use liquid soap or a fluid designed to detect leaks of this nature.

[mimiandrews]

Unfortunately, not everyone can smell the odor that is added to propane. Is it possible that you are one of those who can't?

[Rounder44]

Thanks!

I can smell propane if present. When removing the empty tank I got a solid wiff from the remnants but none from the "leak".

I think it started and stopped while I was observing. I think this was the tank I thought the guy slightly over filled. It took like 4.65 gallons...Thought 4.5 was FULL!

Anyway...It stopped leaking as I was watching and several checks have no leaks. Soapy water = no bubbles....

I will replace the pig tail asap. Any tricks of the trade in doing so? Thread sealant or telflon tape? Are they standard? I can probably get a Camco quite easily but doubt other (better?) brands easily available. I'm in Quartzsite AZ and getting items shipped takes 8-10 days!

Thanks,

Warren

[AtomicNo13]

You're in the RV parts Mecca.
RV lifestyles, gamblers, and 764 other places carry all the parts you'd ever need!
The first place I listed would be my first stop..

[Rounder44]

Originally Posted by AtomicNo13

You're in the RV parts Mecca.
RV lifestyles, gamblers, and 764 other places carry all the parts you'd ever need!
The first place I listed would be my first stop..

Thanks!

I've been swap meet centric with all those shows! Forgot about brick and mortar!

W

[fwjumper]

Probably the over-pressure relief doing its job. If it was coming out of a propane tank, it was propane.

[Riggs1963]

Both our camping freinds and us have changed out the short propane hoses on our campers (not Airstreams, 5th wheels). I believe this is normal maintenance. The hoses age and with movement hooking and unhooking they eventually fail.

[wdkennedy]

This is common. When I replaced the hoses on our ‘73 SilverStreak, I added two 90 degree elbows to make the new hoses kink-free.
Similar issue with our ‘07 Classic AS. Checked the tank. The leak is in the pigtail. I may add some liength to the new hose and also avoid kinks.
BTW there are some great propane services that are reasonable on changing out valves. Eel River Energy in northern CA has an excellent shop in Redding CA.

[SpinWhite]

We've had our 2018 23FB for a year and started smelling the rotten eggs around our tanks. So I used the soapy water to detect where it was coming from. Next to the green knob that attached the hose to the bottle was some bubbles. Their was some clear stuff around the black "O" ring next to the green knob. When I touched the "O" rings the crumbled and fell off of the hose. So 2 new hoses are on the tanks and no rotten egg smell or bubble after installation.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by Rounder44

Thanks!

I can smell propane if present. When removing the empty tank I got a solid wiff from the remnants but none from the "leak".

I think it started and stopped while I was observing. I think this was the tank I thought the guy slightly over filled. It took like 4.65 gallons...Thought 4.5 was FULL!

Anyway...It stopped leaking as I was watching and several checks have no leaks. Soapy water = no bubbles....

I will replace the pig tail asap. Any tricks of the trade in doing so? Thread sealant or telflon tape? Are they standard? I can probably get a Camco quite easily but doubt other (better?) brands easily available. I'm in Quartzsite AZ and getting items shipped takes 8-10 days!

Thanks,

Warren

A 20 lb tank holds about 4.7 gallons..
A 30 lb tank holds 7 gallons and a 40 lb tank holds 9.4 gallons.

[Julie-Bob]

Something to go along with propane tanks. I had to change out one of the valves on a tank due to leaking out of around the stem of the valve when open. The propane guy after changing the valve lub it with WD40 on the stem he open and closed the valve while spraying WD40 on the stem. He stated that the “O” ring drys out if you don’t lub it. So now on my yearly check list is lub valve stems on tanks with WD40.

[Zil]

Unless the bottle was upside down you would not see liquid propane. You saw bubbles of something that the gas was leaking, such a soap or water. If the bottle was full, it could release gas when heated in the sun. Use yellow Teflon tape on pipe threads, nothing on flare fittings.