propane tank

You have a leak. Get it to a LP repair station. DO NOT HESITATE. Doug

When the tank is full, about 80% of the tank is liquid. Propane = "Liquified Petroleum Gas" (LPG)

A 15 YO tank will have some 'distillate' oil residue. If the tank is empty (no pressure) you can open that drain and reseal it with YELLOW teflon tape. Refill tank as normal and check for leaks.

Dutch_12078 wrote:
When the tank is full, about 80% of the tank is liquid. Propane = "Liquified Petroleum Gas" (LPG)

LPG and Propane are not the same. LPG can contain up to 50% butane. Propane has to be a minimum of 90% propane gas to be labeled as such. LPG has more energy per pound, but has a considerably higher vaporization point than Propane.

Propane is primarily sold in colder climates as a heating fuel. It will vaporize at-40*F or colder. LPG on the other hand can have a vaporization point as high as +44*F depending on the mixture.

In Wisconsin several "Propane" dealers were fined a couple years ago for selling LPG as Propane. When the January temperatures dipped to the customary -20*F many of their customers couldn't get their furnaces started. It turned out the offending dealers had purchased the cheaper LPG and sold it as Propane.

Hikerdogs wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:
When the tank is full, about 80% of the tank is liquid. Propane = "Liquified Petroleum Gas" (LPG)

LPG and Propane are not the same. LPG can contain up to 50% butane. Propane has to be a minimum of 90% propane gas to be labeled as such. LPG has more energy per pound, but has a considerably higher vaporization point than Propane.

Propane is primarily sold in colder climates as a heating fuel. It will vaporize at-40*F or colder. LPG on the other hand can have a vaporization point as high as +44*F depending on the mixture.

In Wisconsin several "Propane" dealers were fined a couple years ago for selling LPG as Propane. When the January temperatures dipped to the customary -20*F many of their customers couldn't get their furnaces started. It turned out the offending dealers had purchased the cheaper LPG and sold it as Propane.

Sorry, you are completely wrong. What you probably read about was they purchased the cheaper BUTANE, which will not vaporize correctly in cold or sub cold weather.

LP--Liquid Petroleum
LPG Liquid Petroleum GAS
PROPANE
ALL the same animal. Liquid Petroleum is what ALL LP containers have in them. When vaporized, they then are LP GAS (Propane).
BUTANE is mainly used in warm climates. BUT, There are NO Butane makers in the USA that produce and sell BUTANE for RV's and Home Heating anymore. Butane can usually be purchased in Mexico and other countries south of the border. Doug

Listen to Doug Rainer. He's a master rv tech.

dougrainer wrote:

Hikerdogs wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:
When the tank is full, about 80% of the tank is liquid. Propane = "Liquified Petroleum Gas" (LPG)

LPG and Propane are not the same. LPG can contain up to 50% butane. Propane has to be a minimum of 90% propane gas to be labeled as such. LPG has more energy per pound, but has a considerably higher vaporization point than Propane.

Propane is primarily sold in colder climates as a heating fuel. It will vaporize at-40*F or colder. LPG on the other hand can have a vaporization point as high as +44*F depending on the mixture.

In Wisconsin several "Propane" dealers were fined a couple years ago for selling LPG as Propane. When the January temperatures dipped to the customary -20*F many of their customers couldn't get their furnaces started. It turned out the offending dealers had purchased the cheaper LPG and sold it as Propane.

Sorry, you are completely wrong. What you probably read about was they purchased the cheaper BUTANE, which will not vaporize correctly in cold or sub cold weather.

LP--Liquid Petroleum
LPG Liquid Petroleum GAS
PROPANE
ALL the same animal. Liquid Petroleum is what ALL LP containers have in them. When vaporized, they then are LP GAS (Propane).
BUTANE is mainly used in warm climates. BUT, There are NO Butane makers in the USA that produce and sell BUTANE for RV's and Home Heating anymore. Butane can usually be purchased in Mexico and other countries south of the border. Doug

Thanks for saving me all that typing, Doug! :W

pkunk wrote:
A 15 YO tank will have some 'distillate' oil residue. If the tank is empty (no pressure) you can open that drain and reseal it with YELLOW teflon tape. Refill tank as normal and check for leaks.

WHen he says EMPTY he means 100% empty, and following that you will need to purge the tank.

So change the YOU in his statement to a PROPANE TANK INSPECTION FACILITY and you are much better off.. you need a professional.

In Flint, MI, I'd go to Parker's Propane.. Google them, find a "look-alike" near you and you have my suggestion.


Propane properly handled is very safe.. No more dangerous than gasoline, and in fact, likely less so.

Propane when untrained amateurs start messing with it.. I would rather be a long way from them. I grew up with propane.. I know the dangers. and that job.. I WOULD NOT DO MYSELF.

Well OK John, but if he (OP) had not already opened the drain how would he have known the oil was there? Purging a tank is easy, instructions on the internet, and anyone can do it safely. A little air in a 25 gal MH tank is not going to make it go BOOM!

dougrainer wrote:

Hikerdogs wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:
When the tank is full, about 80% of the tank is liquid. Propane = "Liquified Petroleum Gas" (LPG)

LPG and Propane are not the same. LPG can contain up to 50% butane. Propane has to be a minimum of 90% propane gas to be labeled as such. LPG has more energy per pound, but has a considerably higher vaporization point than Propane.

Propane is primarily sold in colder climates as a heating fuel. It will vaporize at-40*F or colder. LPG on the other hand can have a vaporization point as high as +44*F depending on the mixture.

In Wisconsin several "Propane" dealers were fined a couple years ago for selling LPG as Propane. When the January temperatures dipped to the customary -20*F many of their customers couldn't get their furnaces started. It turned out the offending dealers had purchased the cheaper LPG and sold it as Propane.

Sorry, you are completely wrong. What you probably read about was they purchased the cheaper BUTANE, which will not vaporize correctly in cold or sub cold weather.

LP--Liquid Petroleum
LPG Liquid Petroleum GAS
PROPANE
ALL the same animal. Liquid Petroleum is what ALL LP containers have in them. When vaporized, they then are LP GAS (Propane).
BUTANE is mainly used in warm climates. BUT, There are NO Butane makers in the USA that produce and sell BUTANE for RV's and Home Heating anymore. Butane can usually be purchased in Mexico and other countries south of the border. Doug

Let me try to defuse this argument before it gets too hot, cause as you know, when propane gets too hot, bad things happen.

LPG is an Umbrella term, and it means Liquified Petroleum Gas" This can describe several different liquified gasses INCLUDING but not limited to PROPANE.

A similar comparison. FRUIT,, this is an umbrella term that describes APPLES, it also describes ORANGES, Lemons, Limes, Cherries, and if it were not for an act of Congress.. Tomatoes, All are fruit ('ectp congress says the tomato is a veggie) just like Butane and Propane are both LPG.