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Propane Smell

tntcrock
Explorer
Explorer
I'm getting a slight propane smell at the furnace exhaust, outside.Actually it's the intake tube. This is when the furnace is not running. This was also after the furnace hadn't ran in a week. Furnace seems to run fine, but when it's off there's a slight smell at the exhaust. I checked the supply line and it's all good.
Also noticed it looks like some water seeps in from the exhaust pipe. Not at the plate but may have seeped out where the furnace and the wall tube enter connect. I removed the furnace and going to clean it up and inspect things.
10 REPLIES 10

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
Tom/Barb wrote:
If you have the furness out check the part number on the gas valve and get a new one and replace it.
Betty Furness was a Westinghouse saleslady.
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman

Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Explorer II
The national standard pressure drop test is 3 minutes at 8"w.c. with no change. Try five minutes, though I pretty much guarantee the furnace valve is bad.
-- Chris Bryant

RJsfishin
Explorer
Explorer
If it was mine, I think I would think,......
If the feed line is not leaking, and the electrically controlled gas valve is a normally closed valve, and I smelled propane when the unit is off,.....would I have any choice but to "know" the gas valve is leaking ?
Sometimes logical "thinking" still works.
Rich

'01 31' Rexall Vision, Generac 5.5k, 1000 watt Honda, PD 9245 conv, 300 watts Solar, 150 watt inv, 2 Cos 6v batts, ammeters, led voltmeters all over the place, KD/sat, 2 Oly Cat heaters w/ ox, and towing a 2012 Liberty, Lowe bass boat, or a Kawi Mule.

tntcrock
Explorer
Explorer
I shut off tanks and let sit for three hours and stove would not light. Nothing came out of stove burner at all. I don't know if that was to long for a test. I don't know if that would be normal time for system to bleed down or it's because it was leaking.

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Explorer
Amplification

A pressure gauge, a Bourdon tube installed between tank regulator and load is a good diagnostic tool. Close valves on tank. Over a period of hours watch pressure drop. Not useful when pilot lights are used.

tntcrock
Explorer
Explorer
Yes, that's my plan now.
Thanks for the info.

Tom_Barb
Explorer
Explorer
If you have the furness out check the part number on the gas valve and get a new one and replace it.
2000 Newmar mountain aire 4081 DP, ISC/350 Allison 6 speed, Wrangler JL toad.

tntcrock
Explorer
Explorer
Yes, propane is off and I removed the furnace and caped the line. Are the gas control valve common to go out? I researched online and this didn't seem like a common problem, leaking when units off. Most people complained of propane smell when units running or lighting.

SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Explorer III
X2.... Shut the propane off now.
2015 Backpack SS1500
1997 Ford 7.3 OBS 4x4 CC LB

Tom_Barb
Explorer
Explorer
The gas control valve in your furness is bad, TUN OFF the gas at the tank and take it to a repair shop and get it fixed.
2000 Newmar mountain aire 4081 DP, ISC/350 Allison 6 speed, Wrangler JL toad.