LPG issue

[Chatooga11]

I have an 86 Excella which we used without issue in February. Last night was a shake down campout (in our driveway) to make sure everything was good after being winterized and before an extended upcoming trip. I have refilled both 30 gallon LP tanks within the last week. When I tried to ignite the hot water heater, it clicked but no ignition. The furnace fan came on but no heat. The fridge would not run on gas mode. Initially, I couldn't even get the burners to light on the stove but that problem corrected itself after a few minutes.

It is like propane isn't getting to the appliances. Is there a way to purge the LPG line or get it to flush out so that I can get the gas where I need it?

Appreciate any help.

Dave

[Farmer Dan]

Dave, I have had the same experience you describe. I have found that if you turn on the propane a day or so in advance you won't have trouble with lighting the heaters and stove or fridge. A little time to let the propane distribute in the lines makes a big difference!

Dan

[Chatooga11]

I hope it is as simple as that, Farmer Dan. Thanks for your help.

[Moflash]

I always light my gas range burners first to bleed the line.Never had a problem after doing this.


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[AWCHIEF]

I start with the closest appliance to the tanks and work back. That seems to purge any air as it flows back. In this order frig, heater, oven, hot water heater.

[Lumatic]

I suspect your regulator has decided to retire.

[idroba]

The valves on the tanks now have a feature which prevents excessive flow and shuts off in case of a major line rupture. It sometimes activates accidentally when you first turn on a tank in a system which has been off for a while, and shuts the gas off.

Turn the tanks off, and take the hoses off to relieve any pressure. Then re connect. When you turn the gas on, do it very slowly so the pressure build up is gradual. That will prevent the safety valve from operating.

This may not be the problem, but it could be. I have had it happen now and then.

[Al and Missy]

If your burners are working, just retry the other appliances several times. I usually do the stovetop first, then the water heater, then the fridge. It often takes 2 or 3 attempts to get the water heater and fridge to work after the stove is working.

Al

[rodsterinfl]

It's true. You have to purge the air out of the line first before anything works. That MAY be your problem. When I go camping I have trouble starting the fridge and the stove as they are the first items I use. Click Click Click goes the fridge for some time and it even times out sometimes with an error (I have a new regulator). Lighting the stove first helps but even that may a few minutes.

[Siegmann]

When you got the stove burners to light, did you get a weak flame/flow? If so, re-read earlier comments by Lumatic and idroba.

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by Siegmann

When you got the stove burners to light, did you get a weak flame/flow? If so, re-read earlier comments by Lumatic and idroba.

A small weak burner flame on my stove immediately preceded a complete regulator failure.

[J. Morgan]

Originally Posted by idroba

The valves on the tanks now have a feature which prevents excessive flow and shuts off in case of a major line rupture. It sometimes activates accidentally when you first turn on a tank in a system which has been off for a while, and shuts the gas off.

Turn the tanks off, and take the hoses off to relieve any pressure. Then re connect. When you turn the gas on, do it very slowly so the pressure build up is gradual. That will prevent the safety valve from operating.

This may not be the problem, but it could be. I have had it happen now and then.

Bingo!!!

I say 90% this is the issue and the fix.


1/2 Ton 4WD Truck, 72 Sovereign Hensley Arrow

[Chatooga11]

Well, it seems tincture of time solved the issue. After a few hours the fridge and hot water heater still wouldn't ignite, but the furnace worked. Last evening i had hot water and a clicking refrigerator. Thanks for all your help and suggestions.

See you at Alumapalooza?

Dave

[Siegmann]

With a 25 year old regulator, I'd be thinking about getting a spare, particularly if you plan extended trips in remote areas.

Only other cause I can think of is the accumulation of "oil" in the low point of the supply line below the tanks. A few have experienced flow blockage due to this. Someone solved it by disconnecting and draining the "oil". Maybe you had some blockage that cleared itself. I've heard various explanations for the "oil"--- leaches out of rubber hose, supplier pump contamination, the carrier for the added odorant, etc. Don't know myself.

[perryg114]

If you have a rubber hose on the low pressure side of the regulator it could be swollen from exposure to oil. Mine was swollen shut.

Perry

[AtomicNo13]

I've had oil accumulate in the rubber line directly after the regulator prior to the hard copper line. There is a natural dip in the line where the oil collects.
Might try to drain any residual oil!

[AnnArborBob]

Originally Posted by Siegmann

With a 25 year old regulator, I'd be thinking about getting a spare, particularly if you plan extended trips in remote areas.

Congratulation to the OP for getting things to work!
The advice in the quote above is noteworthy. A regulator is a relatively inexpensive and easy part to replace before you find yourself in BFE. I would not rely on a 25 year old regulator and would replace it at my first opportunity. You will find lots of regulators in Airstream's inventory in JC when you attend Alumapalooza. Take the opportunity to make the switch there. Lots of fellow owners will be glad to lend a hand, tools and/or advice.