Drill a vent/purge hole in my propane line?

I would say No to drilling. I have rebuilt many propane regulators on forklifts over the years. The goo that gets in the system is sticky and gooey. 10 inches of regulated pressure is not going to blow it out.

From my experience, one symptom of an oil trap in a propane line down stream of the regulator is "it works OK when OAT is warm but not when the OAT is cold at night". Just when you need the heat most. In other words the problem can vary with a viscosity change due to a temperature change.

so you want to drill or cut into a line that has a flamable gas in it?? Uh.....

not until you purge and fill with an inert gas.

"Drill" a hole in the line? Nope. I can't see a safety concern with a properly installed capped tee in the propane line but would it really help and maybe there's an easier method. You'd want a drain tee at a low point in the line at the farthest end under the RV and may already have a joint where it could easily be added. If you don't know how to work with propane stuff, get a professional to do it. You couldn't have a leg hanging down somewhere that could get hit tho.

Hank MI wrote:
What Chris suggests is the correct way. After opening and draining the lines install the drip leg. It will catch any water or oil in the future. Home natural gas lines normally or should have a drip leg installed. Should work the same for propane.

The gas line in our house has a drip leg hanging down about 3" at a low point in the house just before it heads out to the first appliance. I doubt it will ever get used but is a code requirement.

groundhogy wrote:
Hi,
Having troubles with my propane lines. I have read about stuff getting in the supply lines over time such as oil or water. The stuff they add to make it smelly is some type of oil.

Anyway, as i totally dont want to disassemble lots of stuff, i was thinking.... what if i got underneath and drilled a small hole at the lowest point in the pipeline? Let the **** drain out, then tap it, put some gasket maker on the screw and tighten her up?

Opinions?

Gh

I wouldn’t, you don’t want to be a candidate for the Darwin award.

Most of the time the oil comes from the refilling station's compressor. I always check the end of their filling hose before I have my tanks filled. If it's dripping or wet with oil, find a new place to fill your LP tank. Used to see propane powered cars have $1000's of repairs because of 1 or 2 bad filling stations.

Adam

the answer is NO, dont drill...
water cant get into the system unless someone leaves the lines unhooked in a rainstorm., and the same with dirt/dust.
but yes, propane has an oil in it, but so very little it takes a LOT of propane thru the system to get build up enough to cause an issue...

propane powered equipment such as small forklifts that operate everyday and go thru a 10 gallon tank every couple of days, takes years for the gunk to build up enough to cause a problem... to some extent, the temperature and the propane blender/supplier can have some small influence on this, but it still takes several hundred gallons before one has to even wonder about it.

the problem you are experiencing is probably a failed regulator, which is the most common problem associated with propane delivery. and until you insure the reg works as it should and delivers the proper amount of flow and pressure, making adjustments to any other component in the system may be futile and dangerous...

what if i got underneath and drilled a small hole at the lowest point in the pipeline?

Sure! What could possibly go wrong?

Question: What happens when you get the proper mixture of Propane and air and there is a spark or open flame?

Answer: You land 2 counties over.

(Actual question on a pump jockey exam. My Joke answer, but after the room quit laughing the instructor said "Exactly").

I would not drill a propane line. Not that hard to disconnect if you feel the need to purge.. Just remember on a motor home the regulator to tank may be a left hand thread.. other fittings are standard.

My trailer has a manifold underneath where several lines are connected. Unscrew a compression fitting if possible at a low point and inspect the lines.

Drilling the line is a terrible idea.

I have had most all my lines apart recently while doing some repairs and remodeling, not a drop of oil in an 11 year old trailer.