tank handle

[ttbikes]

So it was cold and raining and my tanks needed switching and the handle would not move so i tried harder and it broke off leaving me with a full tank and no handle. Can this be safely fixed and if not what does one do with the tank?

[Foiled Again]

This is one I personally wouldn't touch. I'd take it to a propane dealer - Ferrell Gas or some regional company near you where they handle all the big tanks as well as the smaller RV ones.

Any company that converted the old standard valves to the OPD ones should be able to figure this out. Even if the tank is at end of life it's probably possible for a dealer to bleed it off safely. Definitely don't want a full tank thrown away!

Good luck in your search. BTW thanks to another tip on "cheapest propane" I found out that two local companies will fill my tanks while still ON the trailer rack. What a break - the Avion has 40 lb. tanks. WOOF!

Paula

[J. Morgan]

Well that sucks.

There might be a small chance that you can get the valve open with some vice grips to use the propane up so that you will be able to replace the valve...

But since the valve was so stuck that the knob broke off, I wouldn't bet on vice grips working, but if it was my cylinder I would be inclined to try, a least in a minimal effort anyway.


Superat stultitia.

[Wingeezer]

I was thinking exactly the same as "J.Morgan."


I would be inclined to give the threads a shot of penetrating oil, leave it a while then have at it with vicegrips on the valve stem in order to be able to use up the propane, the when empty, take to a dealer for a new valve.

If the vicegrips didn't do the trick I would just take it to the dealer "as is" to deal with!

Brian.

[ttbikes]

Thanks for the input. Tried vice grips but it is a no go. Sucker is really stuck. I called Heetco and they can fix it for about $30.00 (new valve and labor). Of course I loose 30 lbs. of propane.

[Bob662]

Are you positive the valve is closed? Just to test, use your ViceGrips and turn clockwise, as if to close the valve. If it won't turn in either direction, it's off to the propane store!

[Jammer]

I suspect that the valve is open but the excess flow valve has tripped. It doesn't really matter much. The right thing to do is take it to a dealer. If the rest of the valve is working properly, the valve will close when the hose is removed, and then the tank can be bled down in a safe location through the bleed valve, and the valve can be replaced.