Propane valve leaking

[afrescopXx]

I opened the propane valve this morning and propane leaked through the valve stem. The valve was open for the three and a half months we volunteered this summer. I closed the valve when we returned to the storage place. It was chilly here in San Antonio this morning.

Any ideas? Is there a way for me to tighten the valve without going to a shop? What precautions do I need to take aside from not opening the valve?

[afrescopXx]

Tank is 18#. Small for a Class A but that is what Winnebago puts in them for this series.

The valve is closed tight and there is no leak. I hope I am smart enough to know that you do not play with propane so I would leave any repair to a professional. I thought (dangerous thing for me to do) that if I came on here there could possibly be a simple fix, but, this IS an RV so there is no such thing as a simple fix.

An RV is defined as a hole you throw money into. Really, I enjoy the RV and will get it fixed at the first opportunity.

[wa8yxm]

ON the internet google; PROPANE {zip code}
Where the zip code of your parking spot replaces the obvious segment above.

Find a Distributor, one with the big trucks and tanks.. Give 'em a call and then give them a visit,, Depart with a new valve and a flatter wallet (Not all that much flatter as it turns out).

Some of them may be able to recover the propane for you but as someone else said, a fill up on my tank was only 60 bucks and change and the tank was near empty (100 pounder).

[Old-Biscuit]

DiskDoctr wrote:
A regular 20 lb tank? Get rid of it. $20 worth of propane isn't worth the risk...

Being in the Class A section and being a tank....doubt it is a 20# propane cylinder.

OP when valve is fully OPEN are you backseating it (fully open TIGHT)?

Have you tighten packing gland nut (nut on top where stem comes thru---if it has nut)?

Propane is colder than ambient air...doubt that cold air temps is causing stem leak

[DiskDoctr]

A regular 20 lb tank? Get rid of it. $20 worth of propane isn't worth the risk...

[RayChez]

It probably is your regulator next to the shut off valve. I had to replace mine several years back. I got the part at a propane place. It is easy to replace, just turn the propane valve off and then you can proceed changing the regulator out. Very common for those to go bad. Propane is nothing to mess around with. Delaying the repair can be dangerous.

[afrescopXx]

Valve is leaking when opening and fully open. Does not leak when shut completely. We have had some chilly (for us) weather here so I wonder if that might be a contributing factor?

[Old-Biscuit]

Does the valve leak around stem when fully 'closed' or fully 'open'?

The shut0ff valves are 'double seat' valves.......valve disk is double faced so that it closes against a seat in full close & full open positions.

Fully open valve tight against backseat to stop any stem leaking, unless backseat/valve disk face are buggered up.

With it fully open..tighten valve stem packing gland nut slightly (not too much or operating valve will become very difficult).

Use up propane in tank and then have valve replaced....if it still leaks when opening/closing

[vic46]

"To the moon Alice, to the moon."

[Executive45]

Personally, I'd have the tank checked and the valve replaced, but of course, I like to err on the conservative side. Stop by one of the local propane distributors and they'll hook you up. IMHO, propane leaks are not something you want to mess around with.....Dennis

[MountainAir05]

The last one I had replace was the same and it has a double seal. One for the tank off and one for the valve fully open to seal. Sounds like time for a new one.