Gas leaking

[LiisaNiemi]

I have a 1976 28' Argosy and after filling both the propane tanks, I smell gas outside but have no idea where the leak might be coming from. The tanks themselves are new. Anyone else experienced this ? Any recommendations on where the leak might be coming from ? Is there a typical culprit in a rig this old ? Thanks!

[Melody Ranch]

Turn off both tanks..at the tank. Have the unit checked by the propane dealer...they usually do that for free. A spray bottle of soap water will show you a leak by bubbling at the leak point. Just spray at the connection points...then along the lines if nothing shows up. (you have to have those tank valves open for this leak check.)

[clancy_boy]

Typical leaks on the outside by the tanks are the black flexible lines that connect the tanks to the regulator. Mix up some soapy water using dish soap and spray on the lines then turn on the gas (NO OPEN FLANES NEAR THIS TEST). Watch for bubbles, probably at the crimp on connections on these lines. Do this until you locate the fitting that is bad. These lines are easily replaces and available at WalMart or an RV store. I keep 2 in the trailer as backup - they fail often enough to buy extras.

[davidz71]

While turkey hunting this past April, I sat next to a friend's trailer and started smelling propane. He's a little crazy and checks for leaks like this with a lighter. I asked him to hold up a few minutes and then ran my hands over the lines from the tank to the regulator. I felt a rough place, spit on my finger and touched it on the rough area. Bubbles appeared. After a closer look after he turned off his tanks we noticed rodent teeth marks in an area we had not seen. Good old squirrels in this situation.

Moral of the story, use liquid soap/water solution rather than a lighter. He has been lucky so far.