This goes back several months, Jan 2016. We store our fiver in our sons pole barn year round except when it is in use. But my grandson called us early on day stating that there was a very strong smell of propane in the shed. The only thing that i could think of was that i might have left one of the propane tanks on. But i also told him to open both overhead doors, Manual opening, Do not turn on any lights, and if they are on, do not turn them off. No sparks needed. He stated that one of the tanks was not turned off tightly. So i guess the task now will be to locate where this gas was leaking from. Our unit is 18 years old, but always kept under cover unless it is on the road and still looks good. In our younger days we took trips lasting 6 to 8 weeks, Camping in Canada, Alaska, Visiting over 20 of our national parks, from Main To California. So i guess i will be looking for this leak? in May when we go to the farm. Glad we took all of those trips when we were younger.

One of the tanks not turned off tightly......Then leak could be from around stem of packing gland on service valve. Service valves have double seats.....fully closes & fully open. In between packing seals the stem.Course with an 18 yr old rig........Pigtails between cylinders and regulatorRegulator itselfFeeder hose from regulator to distribution pipeAny fitting on dist. pipeAny supply line from dist pipe to an applianceAny appliance gas valveGo to any toy store/dollar general etc. and buy bottle of 'Bubbles' (kids use to blow bubbles with)Spray bottle and couple cap fulls of bubbles.....valve in the cylinder that was left partially open and start spraying at cylinder working downstream.Tiny bubble, in your barn....tiny bubbles makes you learn :B

Check to see if one or both of your tanks are empty. Tanks are designed to give off a egg sulphur smell when the tank is empty.

djgarcia wrote:Check to see if one or both of your tanks are empty. Tanks are designed to give off a egg sulphur smell when the tank is empty.That is interesting theory ;)RV systems are design to have small leaks. Even when I had new trailer and make warranty claim, the system passed the 10 minutes pressure test. So having RV in closed storage, the smell could be just natural thing, but sure going at start of the season with spray bottle of soapy water is good idea.

If the inside of the barn got extremely hot and / or the overflow valve wasn't shut all the way with the last fill it may leak propane.Loose fittings and not shutting off the valve on one or both tanks is the most likely cause.

Propane Smell | Good Sam Community

Fulltimer50
Explorer
May 20, 2016
delete
Clay_L
Explorer
May 20, 2016
post not needed
mpfireman
Explorer
May 20, 2016
After suffering some medical issues, I finally returned to the scene of the crime. I know that propane is in both tanks, but until i remove them, and weigh them, i really can not tell how much. I turned on the stove, oven, and everything worked OK, no propane smell after 4 hours with everything shut off. I know where i can borrow a gas detector ( the ones used by gas co ) to really check everything out. But first, i need to fill both propane tanks thus establishing a starting point. As the use to say about old cars, GET OUT AND GET UNDER. Thanks for all of the replies.
deepdoc1
Explorer
Mar 24, 2016
Other things that can smell very similar are waste tanks (make sure vents are working) and over-charged (cooked) batteries. Also, check tightness of all connections, and on an old rig, there may be dry rot in hoses.
Boon_Docker
Explorer III
Mar 24, 2016
Kayteg1 wrote:
I know it is hard to understand, but compare it to tires.
You pump the tire to 50 psi and it holds after 3 minutes, holds after a day, but might drop 2 psi after a month. Do you consider that a leak?
Gas molecules always will penetrate some materials and rubber hoses can't be make 100 holding. Just like tires.

Yes, I do understand the principle of what you are saying, it is called permeation.
But it has nothing to do with what you are saying about propane leaks in trailers by design.

Have a good day!
Paul_Clancy
Explorer
Mar 24, 2016
Pigtail or regulator leak. Usually the red one on the far side of the split tank setup.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Mar 24, 2016
Kayteg1 wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:

I take it you have never done leak testing before.

No so far, I am doing fine without Depends.
Thank you very much

RV manufacturers recommend a leak test done annually. I built a manometer for around $5 and test my own every year.
mobeewan
Explorer
Mar 23, 2016
check the pig tail hoses at the crimps. As the hose ages it gets harder losing its ability to maintain a seal against the hose barb on the end fitting. Especially if the hose rotates on the fitting as the hose gets harder. Since the valve was slightly open gas could have leaked there. I have replaced seueral hoses myself due to this.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Mar 23, 2016
Kayteg1 wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:

I take it you have never done leak testing before.

No so far, I am doing fine without Depends.
Thank you very much

That statement explains a lot.
Have a nice day.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2016
Old-Biscuit wrote:

I take it you have never done leak testing before.

No so far, I am doing fine without Depends.
Thank you very much

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