Propane supply valve is stuck

[stargirl96]

We took our new-to-us 2007 Winnebago Outlook on our first camping trip. Shortly after arriving we tried to start propane and were unable to turn the propane supply valve control. It was stuck. The park ranger was able to turn it some with a wrench, but it was a struggle. We had enough propane to for the heater and hot water heater, but when we were getting ready to go we couldn't turn the control off. The local rv dealer can't get to it today, and we're waiting a call back from a propane company. Who would you seek help from--rv dealer or propane dealer?

[Dakzuki]

Good practice when opening a valve is to back off just a tad from the full open stop so as to not get in the situation noted by the OP. Forcing an already open valve more can do damage. If the valve is open but not quite to the stop you can tell when you get to the stop and know it's open.

[Handbasket]

Dusty R wrote:
Best thing to do when filling up with gasoline is to turn off all LPG/propane appliances from inside, no need to turn off the valve at the LP tank. That is only done when filling LP tank.

Dusty

Agreed. Granted that it's unusual, but I have a manual-light water heater in the Tiger. I've watched the pilot light after turning the master valve off. It's still burning as much as 5 minutes after closing the valve, just using up the propane in the line.

Jim, "Mo' coffee!"

[Dusty_R]

Best thing to do when filling up with gasoline is to turn off all LPG/propane appliances from inside, no need to turn off the valve at the LP tank. That is only done when filling LP tank.

Dusty

[j-d]

Looks like no harm no foul. And good for you. You took a shakedown cruise and sometimes something's discovered on those.

Valve should be (these are my words, there are probably better descriptions) "firmly seated, hand tight" in both Open and Closed positions.

Like Don says, can be left Open unless LPG On really makes you nervous. We rarely turn our off. Used to, not any more. Usually run with fridge ON, which means "On LPG."

Should be OFF for any Fueling. By that I mean LPG or Gasoline. Remember that if you simply shut the LPG Off, and leave Fridge ON, it'll make a few lighting attempts and spark is what you're trying to avoid. So turn Fridge to Off, then LPG to Off. Fuel, then LPG On, Fridge On.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

The only time I close the supply valve is when filling the tank.

[stargirl96]

Like I said, we had just recently bought the unit from a rv dealer. We took the motorhome on a weekend campout close to home when we discovered the issue.

[Francesca_Knowl]

stargirl96 wrote:

The park ranger thought the propane valve was closed when it was actually all the way open, so when he used his channel locks it made it open even more. .

:h
Lemme get this straight- the propane was already on, but no one knew it. Is that right??? Didn't you try to light something, or did you just assume the gas was off?

[stargirl96]

Thanks for everyone's advice, especially those who told us to go to a propane dealer rather than a rv shop. Our problem appears to be solved, and we're cringing a little thinking what could have happened. As per your advice, we took it to a propane dealer. At first he thought we would have to empty the tank, but he kept working on the valve and was able to close it. Here is what he told us probably happened. The RV dealer probably torqued the valve while opening it and never closed it. So we traveled home over 200 miles with the propane going full blast, never knowing the propane was on. We then stored it for a few days before taking it out last weekend. The park ranger thought the propane valve was closed when it was actually all the way open, so when he used his channel locks it made it open even more. Now the propane is off and everything works correctly. No Kaboom! However, I do feel like blowing up at the rv service dept. for their incompetence.

[Old-Biscuit]

Francesca Knowles wrote:
Really not tryin' to be a smarty pants here, but since you say this was your very first trip with the rig:

Is it at all possible that you (and the ranger) were turning the handle the wrong way? I well remember the first time I ever used a propane tank and discovered that everything works backwards- lefty is NOT loosey when it comes to propane valves...counterclockwise is usually "on", and clockwise is "off".

Counterclockwise is normal way to 'open' a valve. Clockwise is normal way to 'close' a valve.

Left-handed threads on 'gas' is the hose connection. Turn left to install and turn right to remove hose. (except for newer ACME pigtails)

OP......if you could not open propane supply valve on tank then have valve replaced at a propane bulk dealer. They will have to empty tank before valve can be removed/new one installed. Then purge tank due to being opened to atmosphere and then refilled with propane.
Have it done by folks that do propane for a living......not some wannabe mechanic

[ed6713]

E

[j-d]

What FK said, and I should point out that it's good practice to "backseat" these valves. Clockwise till snug to shut off, but Counterclockwise till snug when turning the LPG on. Reason I was given is the valve is less likely to leak that way.

[Francesca_Knowl]

Really not tryin' to be a smarty pants here, but since you say this was your very first trip with the rig:

Is it at all possible that you (and the ranger) were turning the handle the wrong way? I well remember the first time I ever used a propane tank and discovered that everything works backwards- lefty is NOT loosey when it comes to propane valves...counterclockwise is usually "on", and clockwise is "off".

[PSW]

You can probably take it directly to the propane guy in Weatherford and have them look at it in five minutes. That is what I would do. Waiting on an RV dealer could take much longer, and this beautiful first day of fall in Oklahoma is not to be missed. Happy camping.

Paul

[pauldub]

If it's the shutoff valve on the tank, I'd probably go to a place that does propane stuff.