LP leaking when I turn on valve...

[Jackutah]

I went to turn on the LP gas on my 1993 Itasca and as I turned the on valve I could smell gas and feel air pressure on my fingers...seems like the leak is from the stem off the on/off knob... Does this make sense.
When I close valve leak stops..
Anything I can do about it or is it something for tech professional...

[bob_b1]

I had this problem on my 1993 Itasca too. It won't leak if you open it all the way or close it all the way. Whichever way you turn it, make sure it is done tightly.

[Old-Biscuit]

Jackutah wrote:
I went out and tightened the nut behind the handle.it didn't turn much, but the leaking stopped...I opened...closed...and repeated a few times and it is no longer leaking...
For safety I am still having the entire lp system serviced for the season, but thank you all!

Glad to hear it was fixed with just a snug up on packing gland nut.
That is what it is for. No need to replace/repair further unless you have to tighten nut so much that valve is hard to operate.

Good to go!!

Thanks for the update

[wa8yxm]

If it does not leak when fully open.. Use the gas and when you next refill go to a Propane SERVICE station, not a propane Gas Station (one that can work on it,, OFten these are wholesale houses)

They can fix what is broken, or adjust what needs adjustment.

[Jackutah]

I went out and tightened the nut behind the handle.it didn't turn much, but the leaking stopped...I opened...closed...and repeated a few times and it is no longer leaking...
For safety I am still having the entire lp system serviced for the season, but thank you all!

[Dutch_12078]

RayChez wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:

RayChez wrote:
It might be a bad regulator. I had to replace mine about eight years ago. This is a very common defect. Change it out, it is not hard to do it. I bought mine at a business where they sell nothing but propane and parts.

A bad regulator would not make the service valve stem leak.

You are correct if it is a bad valve, but I have never seen one yet leak at the valve stem. But one way to find out is to get a little soap and water and a brush and soap every place in the area he thinks it is leaking. Bubbles will show right away where it is leaking.

I've seen more leaking valve packings than I have leaking regulators. The OP said he felt the gas leaking from the valve stem. Maybe he'll come back and tell us whether back seating the valve stopped the leak or not. Obviously that wouldn't stop a regulator leak.

[RayChez]

Dutch_12078 wrote:

RayChez wrote:
It might be a bad regulator. I had to replace mine about eight years ago. This is a very common defect. Change it out, it is not hard to do it. I bought mine at a business where they sell nothing but propane and parts.

A bad regulator would not make the service valve stem leak.

You are correct if it is a bad valve, but I have never seen one yet leak at the valve stem. But one way to find out is to get a little soap and water and a brush and soap every place in the area he thinks it is leaking. Bubbles will show right away where it is leaking.

[Dutch_12078]

RayChez wrote:
It might be a bad regulator. I had to replace mine about eight years ago. This is a very common defect. Change it out, it is not hard to do it. I bought mine at a business where they sell nothing but propane and parts.

A bad regulator would not make the service valve stem leak.

[RayChez]

It might be a bad regulator. I had to replace mine about eight years ago. This is a very common defect. Change it out, it is not hard to do it. I bought mine at a business where they sell nothing but propane and parts.

[Jackutah]

Thank you all... I am brand new..just bought it at end of last season... And know these are dumb questions but I feel better asking than making a major mistake and putting grandkids in harms way...
Thanks again.

[We_Cant_Wait]

What's happening is that the nut under the handle that the stem goes thru is loose. Take a wrench and give it a little tweek and tighten slightly. This will reseat the "O" ring that's under the nut on the stem for the handle.

[jplante4]

JimM68 wrote:
as said above...

These valves will seal when fully closed and fully open, they are not made to operate "in between"

This is true of a lot of plumbing

Except hot water and steam valves. These should not be back-seated because they will expand and jam. Gas valves are designed to seal when back-seated.

[JimM68]

as said above...

These valves will seal when fully closed and fully open, they are not made to operate "in between"

This is true of a lot of plumbing

[Old-Biscuit]

YES tank will need to be emptied when changing out valve.

Valve has a double seat.....one that seals when valve is closed and one that seals when valve is fully opened (back-seated).
Leak prevention when opening/closing valve is done via packing inside valve stem gland and a packing nut.

Unlike a typical valve where packing gland nut can be tightened using a regular wrench most propane service valve packing gland nuts are internal style with recessed slots and require a 'spanner' type adjustment tool (bulk dealer/repair) or replacement of service valve.

[tatest]

Jackutah wrote:
My tank is full...do I have to empty it to replace the valve?

LPG dealer will take care of that when they replace the valve,