Hi Folks,I have a propane leak that I'm trying to get my arms around. My local RV repair/dealership is overbooked with sales and repairs during covid, and they can't get to me in a timely manner.The leak is occuring between the propane tank and the regulator. There is an aftermarket fitting (installed by a previous owner) there called an "oil drip leg." It's purpose is capture impurities in the propane before it reaches the regulator. These gizmos are not common on RVs. I think I have narrowed the problem down to these scenarios:1) It's full. 2) It was attached with pipe dope rather than yellow teflon tape3) Both of these things at onceSo here are my questions:1) Can I just remove this %$#@! thing altogether? Most motorhomes seem to get along fine without it2) If I remove this thing, can I clean it out and reattach it? Or does it have to be replaced?Thanks in advance for your assistance!

I've only owned a dozen or so RV's. Never have I seen a VLP on one.

It is not needed on an RV, I would just remove it.They are used mainly in home installations where the appliance (furnace, water heater) has a lot more propane consumption than in an RV.

I would drain it and reinstall with new tape. They are not common in RV's but there are posts on here complaining about propane not getting to an appliance and a black sticky substance in the line.

It may have been put on there because the prior owner had a problem with junk in the propane. Remove it, clean it, and reinstall it with the correct tape.

Troubleshooting Propane Problem | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

Tom_M1
Explorer
Sep 14, 2021
A fellow camper was ready to replace his fridge when it stopped working. When he disconnected the propane line oil ran out. Fix the leak and replace it. It's good insurance.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Sep 14, 2021
Ok I goofed with my last response so it went to a wrong thread. or at least it appears that happened.

Looks like a brass to steel coupling. the two metals have different coefficients of expansion as they get hot/cold. so the connection can fail under pressure.

I'd replace the steel parts with brass and the proper tape.. Precise length is not important only the diamater and thread.

Second that looks to be a "Home brew" Fix for a problem that likely did not exist. Some of the Home brew things I've seen seriously scare me.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Sep 14, 2021
Gas certified pipe dope is better than gas certified tape. But, remove it. I like Permatex.
Dusty_R
Explorer
Sep 13, 2021
When you have it apart take a close at the threads and see if they are in good shape.
strollingbones
Explorer
Sep 13, 2021
Thank you all for your advice!
RLS7201
Explorer II
Sep 13, 2021
Could it be that you have a diesel coach with a propane generator? If so, leave that oil drip leg in the system to keep oil out of you liquid fed propene regulator on the generator.

Richard
Boon_Docker
Explorer III
Sep 13, 2021
To settle the nays and yeas.
Remove it, if it is full of oil clean and replace, if no oil leave it off.
2oldman
Explorer II
Sep 13, 2021
Well, there you have it. 3 nays and 2 yeas. Don't you love internet advice?
bgum
Explorer
Sep 13, 2021
It may have been put on there because the prior owner had a problem with junk in the propane. Remove it, clean it, and reinstall it with the correct tape.
Roger10378
Explorer II
Sep 13, 2021
I would drain it and reinstall with new tape. They are not common in RV's but there are posts on here complaining about propane not getting to an appliance and a black sticky substance in the line.