Is it normal to smell propane?

pamelake · 06-12-2007, 02:34 PM

I am just testing my Dometic fridge since having it reinstalled after new cabinets. I have had it running for 5 days and the last 24 hours or so the trailer was closed up. When I went into the trailer today, it smelled like propane. Is that normal? Could it be that it is not vented properly? Before and after I started it I tested the lines in the back for leaks by using soapy water.... Thanks, Pam

drag'nwagon · 06-12-2007, 02:38 PM

Pam,

Did you light the other pilots on say the stove or oven? I once forgot to light the stove pilot and I could smell it after a day or two.

rickandsandi · 06-12-2007, 02:45 PM

Pam-

This can not be good. Did your propane alarm go off? If you smelled gas it should have gone off. There is nothing that should leave a smell in your trailer! I would start investigating each LP line going into each appliance immediatly and be sure you have the trailer well ventulated.

Please keep us posted!

Inland RV Center, In · 06-12-2007, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pamelake

I am just testing my Dometic fridge since having it reinstalled after new cabinets. I have had it running for 5 days and the last 24 hours or so the trailer was closed up. When I went into the trailer today, it smelled like propane. Is that normal? Could it be that it is not vented properly? Before and after I started it I tested the lines in the back for leaks by using soapy water.... Thanks, Pam

Immediately "search" for a propane leak, or a improperly adjusted reefer burner.

If a dealer did those repairs, make them answer the leak question.

Your "life" depends on it.

Andy

HowieE · 06-12-2007, 02:48 PM

NO IT IS NOT

Kill the electric, AC and battery, before you go in the trailer. Open the windows.

Check the stove first to make sure none of the burners is part way on.

If you had the refigerator out the first thing I would do is get some soapy water, Simple Green works well, and wet the flare nut that connects the refigerator to the gas line and look for a leak. That nut wants to be tightened with 2 wrenches, one on the line, moving, and one on the nut, holding the fitting on the gas valve body.

If you do not find a leak there put the soapy water in a spray bottle and work your way along the gas lines from the gas bottle connection through the trailer till you find the leak.

pamelake · 06-12-2007, 02:55 PM

Thanks, I turned off the fridge and opened the windows... I have a new to me Magic Chef that is hooked up and I did not light the pilot lights. Could that be it? I thought with my old stove I could leave it without the pilots lit.... thank you all for the quick responses... I will go out and close the propane tanks and unplug the trailer from the electric source. Then what? If I turn the tanks back on can I look for leaks if the gas appliances are not turned on?
This makes me nervous! Pam

HowieE · 06-12-2007, 03:06 PM

Yes. With all the gas equipement turned off you should not smell gas unless there is a leak.

Let the trailer air out for a 1/2 hour with the electric off, disconnect the batteries also they turn the gas back on.

Check the refigerator connectioin first since that was the last thing worked on. If your stove is new make sure the pilot gas valve is in the off position.

HiHoAgRV · 06-12-2007, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pamelake

Thanks, I turned off the fridge and opened the windows... I have a new to me Magic Chef that is hooked up and I did not light the pilot lights. Could that be it? I thought with my old stove I could leave it without the pilots lit.... thank you all for the quick responses... I will go out and close the propane tanks and unplug the trailer from the electric source. Then what? If I turn the tanks back on can I look for leaks if the gas appliances are not turned on?
This makes me nervous! Pam

Were the Stoves and oven tops valves in the pilot light "off" position?
No - there is most likely your problem.
Yes - is the smell still there with all of the appliances off and the bottles on?
Yes - you have a leak

pamelake · 06-12-2007, 03:26 PM

The stove is a 'new to me' old Magic Chef and I don't have the manual. How do I find the pilot light valves? I could send a picture if that would help you help me. Thanks for your attention to this for me!!! Pam

47WeeWind · 06-12-2007, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pamelake

... I will go out and close the propane tanks and unplug the trailer from the electric source. Then what? If I turn the tanks back on can I look for leaks if the gas appliances are not turned on? This makes me nervous! Pam

Hi Pam:

Propane is heavier than air so it sinks to floor level instead of rising to the windows or roof vent (which in this event let in fresh air). So while everything is turned off, get a broom and "sweep" the propane out the door.

85MH325 · 06-12-2007, 03:30 PM

Normally with a pilot, if the pilot isn't lit, there won't be gas coming out. Pilot lights generally have thermocouples in the flame that allow the valve to remain open... however nothing in this world is a certainty.

Remove the burner grates. The stove top is generally held on with metal friction clips of one type or another, usually located in the front of the stove. Pull up on the front of the stove top until it comes free and opens up. Some may be hinged at the back, and some may just come free and lift off.

There will usually be two valves in the gas plumbing of the stove under the stove top near the front of the stove, one to the pilot and one to the burner tube. The one to the pilot will be significantly smaller. Depending on how it's plumbed, the one for the pilot will usually also shut off the pilot to the stove; and the burner plumbing will usually supply the oven also. It may be possible, though, that the oven may be valved separately.

There is also generally a shutoff stop immediately before the stove plumbing, usually somewhere under the stove near the floor.

Happy hunting.

Roger

**Chuck** · 06-12-2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pamelake

The stove is a 'new to me' old Magic Chef and I don't have the manual. How do I find the pilot light valves? I could send a picture if that would help you help me. Thanks for your attention to this for me!!! Pam

yes, if its a "period" stove from the early/mid 70's, the oven knob has 2 positions marked "off", and "pilot off".
this is very confusing, imo...because "off", is actually "ON".
"Pilot off" shuts off the pilot, too.

we've made the same mistake...leaving the knob where it says "off"...and filling the trailer w/ propane.

3Ms75Argosy · 06-12-2007, 03:38 PM

our heater does smell of propane at the VERY end of the tank. The odor added to propane sits at the bottom of the tank, and becomes more concentrated at the end. It goes away when I switch tanks... but first, I'd make sure you don't have a leak.
Marc

pamelake · 06-12-2007, 04:42 PM

Here is a picture of the stove top. The close up I believe is the pilot valve. If it works like a stop cock, then I believe it is in the off position. (as in.. no gas to pilot light!) It is a little bit sideways in the picture so it will show up. Straight up and down is what I believe to be off....What do you think? Pam