Smell Gas When Turning Gas On @ Tanks

[Steppy]

While camping this weekend, I smelled gas while turning on the gas at the tanks, then it stopped. I stayed there a while trying to determine if there was a leak, but it had stopped.
Has anyone else experienced that? Any ideas what could be the cause?

[ShrimpBurrito]

Yes, and it was the tank valve that was the culprit in my case. IIRC, it first leaked only when opening/closing the tank, but then starting leaking anytime it was in the open position. I had a propane place replace the valve in the tank, and all was good. Using some soapy water, you can check to find where your leak is. If you smell gas, you have a leak.

Dave

[mjlaupp]

My experience with the gas valves: http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ad.php?t=12913

[Steppy]

Thanks for your replies. As soon as I run the tanks dry, I'll get the valve stems repaired or replaced.

[ShrimpBurrito]

Just a thought.......tank refills cost ~$20, and yours presumably isn't full. Is risking a known leaking valve getting worse and possibly catching fire, like when you're sleeping, worth $20?

Dave

It cost me $40 to replace a faulty valve. considering the price of a new horizontal tank, it was worth it. We used up most of the existing propane on our grill until I let the remainder bleed out. And the $40 included a refill. The hard part was finding someone to do the work. It turned out to be a small independent propane dealer.

[fourteener]

Hey Everybody, I have a very small propane leak (barely makes bubbles when I squirt with soapy water) on the hose side of my tank connections. This is where the large bell type connection made to be tightened by hand connects to the tank. When I wiggle the hose where it comes out of the bell connection, I can hear the leak. I replaced these connections last year thinking that the connections were the problem. Now I'm wondering if it is the tank valves that are the problem. I've thought that maybe I should switch these out to the type that you can tighten with a wrench, but if it is the valve, maybe buying a couple new tanks for $20-30 is the way to go.

Has anyone had this problem, and what solution(s) would you recommend?

unless you have a horizontal tank the cheapest way to solve the problem is to just get a Blue Rhino exchange and let them worry about valves and such. If it is the hose they can be bought at nearly any camping store or even Wally World.

[wbmiller3]

On mine, one of the short flex hoses was leaking, it was easy to replace.

[fourteener]

I just wanted to post the solution to my propane leak problem. It was something related to the tank valves, maybe the small rubber O-ring inside the valve. I traded it in at Walmart, and the new tank seemed to resolve the problem.