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mpfireman's avatar
mpfireman
Explorer
Mar 23, 2016

Propane Smell

This goes back several months, Jan 2016. We store our fiver in our sons pole barn year round except when it is in use. But my grandson called us early on day stating that there was a very strong smell of propane in the shed. The only thing that i could think of was that i might have left one of the propane tanks on. But i also told him to open both overhead doors, Manual opening, Do not turn on any lights, and if they are on, do not turn them off. No sparks needed. He stated that one of the tanks was not turned off tightly. So i guess the task now will be to locate where this gas was leaking from. Our unit is 18 years old, but always kept under cover unless it is on the road and still looks good. In our younger days we took trips lasting 6 to 8 weeks, Camping in Canada, Alaska, Visiting over 20 of our national parks, from Main To California. So i guess i will be looking for this leak? in May when we go to the farm.
Glad we took all of those trips when we were younger.

26 Replies

  • Kayteg1 wrote:
    djgarcia wrote:
    Check to see if one or both of your tanks are empty. Tanks are designed to give off a egg sulphur smell when the tank is empty.


    That is interesting theory ;)
    RV systems are design to have small leaks.


    That's an interesting theory also. ;)
  • If the inside of the barn got extremely hot and / or the overflow valve wasn't shut all the way with the last fill it may leak propane.

    Loose fittings and not shutting off the valve on one or both tanks is the most likely cause.
  • djgarcia wrote:
    Check to see if one or both of your tanks are empty. Tanks are designed to give off a egg sulphur smell when the tank is empty.


    That is interesting theory ;)
    RV systems are design to have small leaks. Even when I had new trailer and make warranty claim, the system passed the 10 minutes pressure test.
    So having RV in closed storage, the smell could be just natural thing, but sure going at start of the season with spray bottle of soapy water is good idea.
  • Check to see if one or both of your tanks are empty. Tanks are designed to give off a egg sulphur smell when the tank is empty.
  • One of the tanks not turned off tightly......

    Then leak could be from around stem of packing gland on service valve. Service valves have double seats.....fully closes & fully open. In between packing seals the stem.

    Course with an 18 yr old rig........
    Pigtails between cylinders and regulator
    Regulator itself
    Feeder hose from regulator to distribution pipe
    Any fitting on dist. pipe
    Any supply line from dist pipe to an appliance
    Any appliance gas valve

    Go to any toy store/dollar general etc. and buy bottle of 'Bubbles' (kids use to blow bubbles with)
    Spray bottle and couple cap fulls of bubbles.....valve in the cylinder that was left partially open and start spraying at cylinder working downstream.


    Tiny bubble, in your barn....tiny bubbles makes you learn :B

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