SLIGHT odor of propane... no bubbles (?)

[RFP]

I just spent the day with my brother helping him with several little 'maintenance' issues and while I was there he asked me about the very, very, very hint of propane he can smell when he opens the tank cover lid. He had already checked the tightness of all the fittings, hoses, and regulator - including the spraying of soapy water around all fittings. Even so, we did all that stuff again.

Yes, I'll have to admit that there is a nearly imperceptible hint of propane stink, but there are NO bubbles.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Rob

[cliffcharb]

Spray the length of line and regulator also. I've found small leaks in both by doing this.

[RFP]

Originally Posted by cliffcharb

Spray the length of line and regulator also. I've found small leaks in both by doing this.

Thanks, Cliff... I'll suggest that he do just as you say. By the way, the regulator and both hoses are new. Although his Airstream is less than two hears old, the regulator failed (wouldn't transfer) and one of the OEM hoses had a small leak at one of the end fittings.

I think the technical term for all that is "snake bit!

[Wingeezer]

I often do soap bubble tests associated with CO2 cylinders/regulators/fiitings that I use with my home brew beer hobby.

There have been times when I knew I had a leak but could not find it with the old soap bubble test and had to resort to immersing the item under water where possible - similar to the way I found leaks in bicycle tubes as a kid! That method never fails but of course is not always practical!

But when I do routine soap bubble tests (every time I fill a beer keg and need go test the lid and connections to ensure they are gas tight) I have found that rather than squirting soapy water, what works best for me is to half fill a small container with soapy water, shake it to create lots of foam, then use a one inch brush to scoop up the soapy foam from the container and apply it to the connection being tested.

Brian

[lewster]

Originally Posted by RFP

I just spent the day with my brother helping him with several little 'maintenance' issues and while I was there he asked me about the very, very, very hint of propane he can smell when he opens the tank cover lid. He had already checked the tightness of all the fittings, hoses, and regulator - including the spraying of soapy water around all fittings. Even so, we did all that stuff again.

Yes, I'll have to admit that there is a nearly imperceptible hint of propane stink, but there are NO bubbles.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Rob

All LP regulators have a vent. If there is no obvious bubbling in the immediate area, you might be smelling the very slight discharge from the regulator's vent system.

[LeeJ]

Check to see if pilot light to cook-top or oven are lit

[KJRitchie]

Are you tanks full or had one recently filled. I had one filled and it must have been overfilled and it was venting when the temperatures rose. I switched to that tank and used it and the intermittent venting stopped

Kelvin

[dcasr]

My 27 year old Excella has two aluminum bottles with built in gauges. Had them updated a few years ago and recertified. This autumn one full bottle began to smell like a little propane was getting out at the hose fitting to the bottle, even though it was cold out, so I got my combustible gas detector (fairly expensive) and tested it on low setting and it was the hose fitting. Tried a different bottle on same hose and it wasn't the hose. Tried the bottle on the other hose and it smelled there too, and with the detector I could isolate the leak to the screw together fitting, so I took it to a dealer who could repair it. He said to put a small rubber washer into the bottle side fitting and screw the hose back on, use the propane and when it was empty bring it back for repairs. I did, and the leak stopped. Two months have gone by with use and it still doesn't leak. Tempted to just keep the rubber washer in place and not fix it, but prudence says to follow his instruction, so when the propane is gone I'll take it back for a proper repair. The leak was too slow to make bubbles, but the nose and the gas detector said it was real. I'm glad I spent the money for the gas detector, and it has now paid for itself in peace of mind for me and mama.

[sgschwend]

As the propane tank becomes empty the indicator can become so concentrated that using the stove or furnace results in the indicator will be easy to smell. You may find the smell goes away with a full bottle.

[ijustlee]

For me the smell is the warning that my tank will be completely empty in another day. The smell is an oil that is added to the propane to warn you of a leak and it puddles at the bottom of the tank. Also when a tank is filled a little of that oil gets blown all over the tank from the bleeder screw so a just filled tank can smell just by itself. If careful inspection with soapy water doesn't show a leak, maybe there isn't one. I get 2 years from a new propane hose before the rubber hardens and the hose leaks at the crimp fittings. I guess the chemicals in the rubber formulas that keep them pliable are too expensive for the manufacturers in China nowadays.

[TG Twinkie]

I had two 30 pound tanks filled last week. When I questioned the man about not opening the vent when filling he said it was not necessary with the new tank valves. I question that.
A few days later I had both tanks setting in my shop. Not connected to anything. As the shop warmed up one of the tanks smelled of propane. I sat it outside not wanting to take a chance.
A few days later I connected that same tank to a space heater. Which had been connected to this tank several times in the past. The space heater did not fire as before, the flame was yellow and varied in intensity. The regulator formed frost on the outside.
It took more than an hour of run time before things got back to normal.
I am convinced the tank was overfilled.
I will look for another vendor the next time I have the tank filled.
Have never experienced this in the past.