Propane leak?

[pinkdogwood]

I am parked in a year round campground site. I filled two large propane containers maybe three weeks ago. My husband ( who has Parkinson's) and I went to the camper yesterday and there was no propane. I left the water heater on, but my propane lasted months last year when I left it on. Our refrigerator is a residential type, thus no propane is used. Every time I get service it is so expensive. (I got a pressure lease valve replaced last week-end on the water heater & was charged $237), so I wanted to at least see if this would be a repair that I could take care of. I suspect there is a leak, but how do I track it down?I do not smell propane, nor did I when they were installed. Any advice on where to start?

Thanks for the help, and please accept my apologies for my limited knowledge.

[christopherglen]

I have never had a hose fail of old age, they fail from UV exposure, and being touched, usually from changing tanks.

[CavemanCharlie]

3oaks wrote:
I would not run out and start buying new parts (hoses) without knowing where the problem is (leaks). My TT is now 10 years old and all the propane hoses are original. I leave the 20# tanks on all Winter while the camper just sits. No leaks, the tanks never ran out of propane. Of course maybe I just jinxed myself? 😞

My hoses are 20 years old and still no leak. But, on a different TT I did once have to replace the regulator. But, it was also 20 years old before that went bad.

[3oaks]

I would not run out and start buying new parts (hoses) without knowing where the problem is (leaks). My TT is now 10 years old and all the propane hoses are original. I leave the 20# tanks on all Winter while the camper just sits. No leaks, the tanks never ran out of propane. Of course maybe I just jinxed myself? 😞

[pinkdogwood]

Thanks to all for some great advice. I will go back later this week, refill the tanks and use a soapy solution to see if it bubbles. My hoses have never been replaced so I may go ahead and buy some new ones. Will post my outcome. Thanks again!

[Old-Biscuit]

Both propane cylinders empty??

If so........small leak in hose fitting, connection etc. Large hole in hose would cause 'excess flow valve' inside the GREEN ACME nut connected to cylinder to close and next time WH tried to light it would fail and throw a 'fault' light (RED Light ON at switch)

Otherwise.........cylinders swapped on you full for empty by 'neighbors' is possible.

Buy couple of bottles of kids 'Bubbles'.......used in making soap bubbles
It's perfect soapy/glycerin solution for leak checking and cheap.
Pour in spray bottle.....use around all fittings starting at cylinders connections, regulator and then in/under trailer and at all appliances with full propane cylinder.

Most leaks that drain 2 full cylinders can (should) be smelt.

Hey 'neighbors'........who swapped my cylinders!!!

[christopherglen]

I usually find leaks at the crimps on the pigtails next to the regulator. When you change tanks the hoses attempt to rotate within the crimps, that causes leaks. More often in the cold weather then warm.

[Shadow_Catcher]

I did leak testing as part of my job. I test all of the propane system for leaks, and soapy water works quite well but there is a leak test solution that works better. Snoop is one available on Amazon, dish washing soap thinned down to a bit more than you would for washing and you can add glycerine for more staying power.

[You_can_t_take_]

cbshoestring wrote:
Are your propane tanks secured to the trailer?

Wouldn't surprise me if a neighbor "borrowed" your full tanks. Happens a lot where my brother keeps his trailer on a permanent site. So he chains his to the trailer.

As little as it takes to light a water heater....I would turn off the propane at the bottle if I wasn't going to be around for a while. Why take the chance that a leak fills the trailer while you are gone????

X2
Even if you lock/chain the tanks to your trailer get a permanent marker and mark them to make sure someone hasn't 'traded' your full tanks for empty ones!!

[cbshoestring]

Are your propane tanks secured to the trailer?

Wouldn't surprise me if a neighbor "borrowed" your full tanks. Happens a lot where my brother keeps his trailer on a permanent site. So he chains his to the trailer.

As little as it takes to light a water heater....I would turn off the propane at the bottle if I wasn't going to be around for a while. Why take the chance that a leak fills the trailer while you are gone????

[realebill]

this happened to our neighbor...on a seasonal site and lost propane. turns out squirrels gnawed through the supply hoses behind the tanks causing the tanks to lose propane.

[3oaks]

pinkdogwood wrote:
(I got a pressure lease valve replaced last week-end on the water heater & was charged $237)

Find a different place for service even if you have to travel further. You were ripped off "big time". :E

[scbwr]

You can either buy or make a soapy solution for checking for propane leaks. To make your own, use 1/3 liquid dish detergent to 2/3 water. Use a soft paint brush to apply the solution around fittings or anywhere a leak could be possible. If you see bubbles forming, you have found a leak.

Hook up your tanks filled with propane and open both valves. Then wait a few minutes and see if you smell propane either outside the trailer or inside the trailer. If you smell it inside, be real careful....turn off the propane and let it air out before doing anything that could ignite the propane vapor!! Just by smelling it, you could get an idea where to look.

If using the soapy solution, I would start with the flexible hoses that connect to the regulator and the propane tanks. With age, they will crack and leak. From there, check where the flexible hose connects to the gas line that runs under your trailer. And then it would be a matter of checking where a gas line connects to your stove, water heater, oven and furnace.

By any chance, did you accidently leave a stove burner on? The smell of the gas could have dissipated before you returned to the camper? I assume you left the water heater on by mistake.

Whatever you do, just be careful to follow safety procedures as you look for the leak and repair as necessary. If you don't feel confident in doing the work, it's a case of where you really should have a rv shop do the work. Unless you have a bad gas line (the main one under the trailer), any kind of repair shouldn't be that bad if it is just a flexible hose or a loose fitting.

I'm just a "do it yourself" trailer owner, so take my advice for what it is worth which is about 5 cents! Above all, be safe!