Forum Discussion

tntcrock's avatar
tntcrock
Explorer
Nov 05, 2018

Propane Smell

I'm getting a slight propane smell at the furnace exhaust, outside.Actually it's the intake tube. This is when the furnace is not running. This was also after the furnace hadn't ran in a week. Furnace seems to run fine, but when it's off there's a slight smell at the exhaust. I checked the supply line and it's all good.
Also noticed it looks like some water seeps in from the exhaust pipe. Not at the plate but may have seeped out where the furnace and the wall tube enter connect. I removed the furnace and going to clean it up and inspect things.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Nov 06, 2018
    Tom/Barb wrote:
    If you have the furness out check the part number on the gas valve and get a new one and replace it.
    Betty Furness was a Westinghouse saleslady.
  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Nov 06, 2018
    The national standard pressure drop test is 3 minutes at 8"w.c. with no change. Try five minutes, though I pretty much guarantee the furnace valve is bad.
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Nov 06, 2018
    If it was mine, I think I would think,......
    If the feed line is not leaking, and the electrically controlled gas valve is a normally closed valve, and I smelled propane when the unit is off,.....would I have any choice but to "know" the gas valve is leaking ?
    Sometimes logical "thinking" still works.
  • tntcrock's avatar
    tntcrock
    Explorer
    Nov 05, 2018
    I shut off tanks and let sit for three hours and stove would not light. Nothing came out of stove burner at all. I don't know if that was to long for a test. I don't know if that would be normal time for system to bleed down or it's because it was leaking.
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Nov 05, 2018
    Amplification

    A pressure gauge, a Bourdon tube installed between tank regulator and load is a good diagnostic tool. Close valves on tank. Over a period of hours watch pressure drop. Not useful when pilot lights are used.
  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Nov 05, 2018
    If you have the furness out check the part number on the gas valve and get a new one and replace it.
  • tntcrock's avatar
    tntcrock
    Explorer
    Nov 05, 2018
    Yes, propane is off and I removed the furnace and caped the line. Are the gas control valve common to go out? I researched online and this didn't seem like a common problem, leaking when units off. Most people complained of propane smell when units running or lighting.
  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Nov 05, 2018
    The gas control valve in your furness is bad, TUN OFF the gas at the tank and take it to a repair shop and get it fixed.

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