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oyly's avatar
oyly
Explorer
Jun 25, 2016

2nd LP regulator fail in 2 years - oil in regulator!!?

So my LP regulator failed again, after having been replaced less than a year ago. My mechanic showed it to me as he pulled it off. Oil came running out of it! And he thinks that's why it failed.

So now I'm wondering, how did the oil get in there???

I've been filling the tank with "Autogas", which is perhaps 80 percent butane and 20 percent propane. I don't think the butane should be a problem, it should just burn about 10 percent hotter than regular propane. I also can't find any information on the web that indicates that oil is added to the Autogas (which could have made sense, since autogas lubricates an ICE less than gasoline).

One theory I have is that Winnebago puts oil in the LP system for preservation, and that this should be drained out before using the RV?
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  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Jun 25, 2016
    Change dealers w were you buy your LP
    Their supplied is contaminated and so is their tank
    Find another dealer hopefully with a supplier that has produces cleaner LP
  • oyly's avatar
    oyly
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2016
    All,

    thanks for the very good inputs. That's definitely something to think about. This sounds like it should be a very well known problem then, so it's surprising that the LP regulator isn't made with a sediment trap or similar built-in.

    If the problem is only when high pressure vapor is allowed to sit, perhaps it would be good practice to get the vapor out before winter storage? I could simply close the main shut off valve and use the stove until the lines are empty.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Jun 25, 2016
    When setting a tank for a construction heater or similar system, it is a good practice to use a

    first stage regulator located near the tank that is set at 10 to 30 psig. It has been found that if

    high pressure vapor is allowed to sit in long flexible hoses and re-condenses during cold

    weather, an unusually large amount of oily residue can be carried over to the burner regulator,

    orifices, and piping. A small amount of oily residue is usually not a problem. However,

    large amounts of oily residue can cause problems with regulators and burners.

    Use a sediment trap downstream of vapor regulators to catch oil and heavy-ends. A sediment

    trap is used on some appliances as required in NFPA 54
  • 3oaks's avatar
    3oaks
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2016
    The oil isn't added. In this case, oil is a (contaminate) by-product hydrocarbon that comes along with the butane/propane mix. Some distributors deliver pourer quality gas which contains a higher quantity of natural occurring oil.
  • darsben1's avatar
    darsben1
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2016
    Interesting.
    When I lived in the Dominican Republic we had an automobile that ran on Autogas (LPG) and we always filled our portable tanks for Camping at the GAZ station.
    Never had a problem. Never noticed any oil either.
    Could it be a country specific thing?
    Only thing I can think to do is put an inline filter in.
    AS for your theory about Winnebago putting oil in. I doubt it is a usual practice.

    YOUR location states Japan. If you PM me I would be happy to contact Winnebago for you and see what they say. With the time difference it might be a PIA for you to try.

    Let me know

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