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12-30-2010, 12:51 PM
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#1
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Mini Rivet
1975 25' Tradewind
Holland
, Michigan
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 273
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Can not find Propane leak
I have a propane leak somewhere that I can not find.
It takes about a week of sitting to notice the stink, if I turn of the gas at the tanks the smell goes away in a few weeks.
My propane detector does not go off either, I did test it.
I have tried the soap bubble stuff with no luck.
Is there a Dye I can use or some other method to find a slow leak.
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12-30-2010, 01:31 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1965 22' Safari
Vassar
, Michigan
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 848
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I had a propane leak in my renovated Safari last spring that I could not find. It was just like yours. I sprayed every connection and could not find any bubbles. I finally when back over all the connections with the spray bottle but this time used warm soapy water. I also watched each connection for a very long time and finally found the leak. It was the connection to my fridge. Hard to see but sure enough after some wrench work the leak was fixed. Hope my experience helps.
__________________
Tim
TAC MI 14
Everyday is a Saturday
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12-30-2010, 01:33 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
Lexington
, Minnesota
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,989
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Bruce,
Try narrowing down the problem area by shutting any shutoff valves you have for the appliances. Then open the tanks again and see if you still have the smell. You may need to wait several days to be sure based on your description of the problem.
If no smell, then open the shutoff valves, one at a time, and again check for the smell. You may find that one of the appliances themselves is the source of the leak. The stove would be the first appliance I would check, as we had a leaky stove once. It was leaking about 2 inches before the connection to the stove. The pipe has been rubbing on the cabinet frame, and it finally wore through
Chris
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12-30-2010, 03:42 PM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member
1979 25' Tradewind
Mt. Vernon
, Washington
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 102
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It might be as simple as the pilot light on the stove top not being turned off. That happened to me. Simple fix.....turn it off.
Loren
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12-30-2010, 03:52 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2000 31' Land Yacht
Central
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,489
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Old almost empty tanks also will smell on use with a residual lingering odor. Another way of testing for leaks would be to install a pressure gauge, close the tank valve and see if it goes down.
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12-30-2010, 05:39 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1960 28' Ambassador
Vintage Kin Owner
1998 25' Safari
Avonton
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,331
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I know I'll get it for this but a gas installer showed me a very simple way to check for leaks, use a lighter. If there is a leak it will burn with a small flame. I used the soap spray test on my fridge connection, no leaks, then I tried a lighter and found a small leak at the fitting. Don't use it if you smell a strong leak, but it will find the small leaks. O.K. I'm ducking now.
__________________
Doug & Terry
VAC - TAC ON-1
60 Ambassador Int.
1950 Spartan
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12-30-2010, 07:03 PM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
1958 22' Flying Cloud
Folsom
, California
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 468
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I suggest a shell off restoration. . . .
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12-30-2010, 07:13 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1960 28' Ambassador
Vintage Kin Owner
1998 25' Safari
Avonton
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,331
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mattkroff
I suggest a shell off restoration. . . .
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Yea lighting the gas will do that to
__________________
Doug & Terry
VAC - TAC ON-1
60 Ambassador Int.
1950 Spartan
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12-30-2010, 07:41 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,803
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The old propane and lighter trick!
I've seen pieces of dirt the size of pepper cause a valve not to seal all the way. The only way it could be found was Shacksman's way.
Just make sure you air out the unit before testing.
__________________
Paul Waddell
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12-30-2010, 08:12 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Currently Looking...
Wauwatosa
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 810
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shacksman
I know I'll get it for this but a gas installer showed me a very simple way to check for leaks, use a lighter. If there is a leak it will burn with a small flame. I used the soap spray test on my fridge connection, no leaks, then I tried a lighter and found a small leak at the fitting. Don't use it if you smell a strong leak, but it will find the small leaks. O.K. I'm ducking now.
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If there is only one leak, this will work. If there is a second leak the flame will flash back (like when you turn off a torch). This could be dangerous. I am very surprised a gas installer with any sense would recommend a match.
An electronic leak detector used by repair technicians are very sensitive.
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12-30-2010, 08:54 PM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
1957 22' Caravanner
1971 27' Overlander
2004 25' Safari
Jourdanton
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 50
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Snoop leak detector liquid is very effective on threaded joints and tubing connections. Works better than soapy water. It has a long dispensing tube that can be pulled from or pushed into the bottle.
Google for sources.
Jim
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12-30-2010, 09:08 PM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
1999 25' Safari
Carlsbad
, California
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 57
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I had the exact same issue with my 76 Tradewind. Turned out that the pilot lite for the oven was not lit. There is setting on the oven dial that I did not notice that turns the pilot lite off. You might check that out.
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01-01-2011, 10:45 AM
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#13
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Athens GA
1995 28' Excella
1989 34' Excella
1986 31' Sovereign
1987 34.5' Airstream 345
Athens
, Georgia
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 578
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I am in Need!! I had my 87 MOHO propane filled a few days ago when it was 30 ish deg weather. Yesterday it was leaking out of pressure relief valve it was 60's. I figures it would stop soon day 2 and now a real strong smell and is still leaking. I turned off valve to close the propane valve but still leaks. I have not had any problems prior to filling it it had propane in it I just wanted to top it off. All the emergency rv service I called in town are out of business. My good Sams does not start for a few more days. Any recommedations ?? I do not want to start the coach.
__________________
Athens GA
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01-01-2011, 11:41 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1986 31' Sovereign
Miami
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,137
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The solenoid gas valve in my furnace was dribbling gas -- not enough to set off the propane detector but stinky. Once I had it isolated with the shut off valves, it was an easy fix.
mike
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01-02-2011, 07:20 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2000 31' Land Yacht
Central
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,489
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Myrtle lynn
I am in Need!! I had my 87 MOHO propane filled a few days ago when it was 30 ish deg weather. Yesterday it was leaking out of pressure relief valve it was 60's. I figures it would stop soon day 2 and now a real strong smell and is still leaking. I turned off valve to close the propane valve but still leaks. I have not had any problems prior to filling it it had propane in it I just wanted to top it off. All the emergency rv service I called in town are out of business. My good Sams does not start for a few more days. Any recommedations ?? I do not want to start the coach.
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They overfilled it, it should stop when level is right, hope for cold weather or bleed off enough to let the valve close. When they did it to mine, they said it would stop and it did.
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01-02-2011, 10:01 AM
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#16
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Athens GA
1995 28' Excella
1989 34' Excella
1986 31' Sovereign
1987 34.5' Airstream 345
Athens
, Georgia
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 578
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveFL
They overfilled it, it should stop when level is right, hope for cold weather or bleed off enough to let the valve close. When they did it to mine, they said it would stop and it did.
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Day 3. It stopped!! Man what if I went camping and had a Bonfire?? Wow! Thank you.
__________________
Athens GA
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