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jstorta15's avatar
jstorta15
Explorer
Jun 17, 2013

Propane tank refilled, cannot get gas flow

While camping this weekend, I realized our LP tank was nearly empty. We drove into the local town and found a True Value store that filled tanks. The tank has an OPD and from what I have read since returning, I know that he just connected the hose and relied on the OPD to stop the fill. He did not touch the bleeder valve.

When we got back to the camper, I hooked it up, opened the value, and could not get any gas to flow. I sat at our stove for 10 minutes waiting for something. I tried unhooking and hooking it up again. Nothing. At no time did I hear gas hiss while connecting or disconnecting the hose, which tells me no gas was ever leaving the tank.

Everything I have read says that this is not an OPD issue as that would only prevent the tank from filling, not from releasing gas.

Since the only thing that changed is we had the tank refilled, I have to think that something related to the tank is causing our problem, but I have no idea what.

Looking for any thoughts anyone might have.

Thanks

19 Replies

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  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator III
    Jun 18, 2013
    If you have two tanks try swapping the tanks side to side to see if it's the hose.
  • Iraqvet05's avatar
    Iraqvet05
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2013
    You can try the tank on another source, such as a grill to ensure the problem is with the tank. Also, try opening the stove valves with the gas tank off to purge any gas from the regulator....sometimes, the regulator on my smoker "resets" by doing that and I get more gas pressure at the burner.
  • mguay's avatar
    mguay
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2013
    Sounds like your tank needs to be purged like mine! It should take 6-7 gallons when empty.
  • jstorta15's avatar
    jstorta15
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2013
    Thank you for the feedback.

    I watched the gauge while he filled it. It took a little over 3 gallons. This is not the first time we have had it refilled and have not had issues before. It definitely weighed more after filling than before.

    I did try shutting it off, disconnecting, reconnecting, and opening the valve very slowly. No change. I disconnected again. I never heard the usual hiss as it disconnects. It was definitely like there was no gas coming out at all.

    The broken hose is where my mind is now. I am going to make a trip to Lowe's tonight and get a new hose. I will see if that solves the problem. If not, I will probably take the tank to an LP place and ask them to at least test it and rule out a tank problem.

    Thanks everyone. I will post when I manage to figure it out.
  • mguay's avatar
    mguay
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2013
    Did you watch the gallon gauge while he was filling it? I had a similar problem with a tank a couple of years ago. As it turned out, the tank was never purged properly on the first fill. As it was...the tank would only take about a gallon and the cooktop wouldn't light. I took it to another place and told them about it and while the guy was filling it he opened the bleeder screw to let the air out till the propane came..... Now that sucker takes around 6-7 gallons! Not to mention it's not "aired down" propane and everything works great!
  • Mark_Heisler's avatar
    Mark_Heisler
    Explorer II
    Jun 17, 2013
    had this happen to me couple years ago. my hose from the tank to the regulator had to be change. the end that go on the tank had cracked inside and it wouldn't tight enough to push the valve spring in to allow propane to come out out.
  • Roundtwo-40's avatar
    Roundtwo-40
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2013
    Close valve, open again VERY SLOWLY it has a valve that will shut off flow if opened too fast (as in leak). Try that.

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