Jackie Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 I jus bought a 1982/83 Toyota Minilite in great condition with only 35K miles. Everything inside in original condition, barely worn at all. Outside looks great too. The only problem is I smell propane inside . I've taken it to 2 different RV service depts & had it checked. Both places show no leaks. They put the leak gauge on it, sprayed foam to look for leaks & tightened everything inside & out. Yet, I still smell gas about 45 min after I turn on the propane. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!!! I'm brand new at RVing too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mycomitan Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Check the stove and Oven real close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yvonne Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 I have a mobile RV service guy who comes out and works on mine. He pulled the stove out and discovered a bad fitting that someone had tried to repair by wrapping electrician's tape around it!! Needless to say, he replaced the fitting. Since propane is heavier than air and goes to the lowest spot maybe you should have them put their detecting monitors on the floor of the cab after you have the propane turned on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toto Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 We have a strange propane smell also. We recently installed a new propane tank that lives under the bathroom closet. We've leak checked every fitting on the bottle but every time we open the closet door, it smells like propane. There's also a propane smell if you sit outside next to the tank cubby. We wondered whether they just vent a little or it's something serious. Any ideas for us? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Some times mine will smell after a fill up. It depends on how much it vents during the fill. As somebody said earlier propane is heaver than air so it sinks down, not float up. Try leaving the outside door open for a day or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokepolehall Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Do you have the horizontal lp bottle or a vertical gas cooker bottle? If your coach is like mine you have gas line and fitting up under the fridg and also going to heater. Did they have access to leak ck.? Plus my pipe runs under floor of coach and several holes where it go in and out and fittings that can leak even crack a pipe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toto Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 When we bought Toto, it had a bbq style turned horizontal, so we bought an official horizontal tank. Ironically, we didn't have any propane smell with the improper tank, but have it now with the right one. But we've soap checked all the fittings and they seem fine. We're going to check into this further as soon as we have time. We're thinking maybe the new tank has a bad weld so we're going to try and leak check the tank itself. That would suck! (They ain't cheap). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 I really have to say that you need to get this checked out. You can't be going down the road with a leaking propane system. More importantly, you don't want to be sleeping anywhere there can be a build up of propane gas. This stuff is dangerous and should not be messed with. Take it to a propane shop if the RV shops can't find the problem. If you can't afford that, get under there yourself with lots of water and liquid soap. Spray until you find a bubble, and they take it back to somebody to fix it. Don't mess around with this, cause it can kill!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted August 30, 2007 Author Share Posted August 30, 2007 Thanks everyone for your great ideas. I just returned from a 3 day camping trip. Not only did I smell the propane, but when I opened the fridge a really awful smell came from it, down by the bottom. Fridge was clean & no spoiled food. So now I'm beginning to regret my purchase! I have a guy coming out tp my house next week to check it all out. I really like the idea for pulling out the stove to check for leaks. Next (if necessary) I'll try a propane shop. Don't understand why the speciality RV service shops can't figure this out!!!! Thanks, again, for all your suggestions. I'm listening!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picklebill Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 Jackie - Don't regret your purchase! You will eventually find the problems and will love your motorhome. If you have problems with the refrigerator take it to a gas appliance specialist. We have had 2 RV's in the past with gas refrigerators that failed. The RV service centers will try to sell you a new one for about $1000 but we found a place that replaced the cooling unit for about $450 after we did the removal and re-install of the fridge. Gas leaks are a real pain, but can be found and repaired. Good luck! Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motoyhomme Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 When we bought Toto, it had a bbq style turned horizontal, so we bought an official horizontal tank. Ironically, we didn't have any propane smell with the improper tank, but have it now with the right one. But we've soap checked all the fittings and they seem fine. We're going to check into this further as soon as we have time. We're thinking maybe the new tank has a bad weld so we're going to try and leak check the tank itself. That would suck! (They ain't cheap). Attached is a picture of my new propane tanks. They have to be taken out and filled vertically, but can only be used horizontally as shown. Nothing was wrong with my similar original tanks except for the fittings were of the old style and not acceptable everywhere for refill. So I replaced them. One of the new tanks had a small hole in the weld where the handle fitting entered the tank. Propane shop welded it sealed. These tanks are built specifically for motorhomes and don't have to be mounted on the frame. Allen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwood Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 I just got my sunrader, and, testing each unit one at a time... mine has a 'gas and polution' detection unit... at first, I just turned the knob, and,, it made a noise... THEN, I read it, set it, at #2, for a few min, then #3, #4 .. no noise... so, I grabbed my small propane torch.. let out alittle gas, and, Bingo! the detector Beeped! .. so, this seems like a very cool feature! I'm curious to anyone that knows.. do you just turn this on, while traveling? or ? Leave it on? what does it run off? 12 volts? and, How much juice does it drain? .. seems like pretty good insurance.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 mine has a 'gas and polution' detection unit You can buy these at any RV shop like Camping World for about $60. Would have to read the directions to know how and when to operate them. I believe that the unit you have operates on a 9 volt battery. They even have portable ones to use while working on the system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 Attached is a picture of my new propane tanks. Are these propane "tanks" or propane "cylinders". Couldn't you have replaced the fittings on the old tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motoyhomme Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 Are these propane "tanks" or propane "cylinders". Couldn't you have replaced the fittings on the old tank? These were called Manchester LP Horizontal Mount Compartment Tanks when I bought them, they are also referred to as LP cylinders. New fittings would not have worked in the old tanks (see photo). These tanks list for about $230 each plus shipping from Camping World. I bought the same ones last year from a company in Washington state called Bi-Lo for $89 each plus shipping ($15 ea). They reimbursed me for the welding cost ($20). Bi-Lo recently closed down their mail order department. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 These were called Manchester LP Horizontal Mount Compartment Tanks when I bought them, they are also referred to as LP cylinders.??My understanding is that tanks are one thing and cylinders are another thing. But my over 20 years dealing with petroleum did not include any propane deliveries. Am just trying to figure out what is what, cause I thought the old style "tanks" were exempt and you could still fill them.Think I found it. DOT Cylinders are for travel trailers and truck campers and must be mounted vertically. ASME Tanks are for motorhomes and must be mounted horizonally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantomphixxer Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Check the vent fopr the refrigerator. Make sure nothing has became dislodged or fell blocking the vent. Pull the cover off the roof and remove the screen look carefully down the vent duct. You can also pull the trim panel from the inside on some models. If you operate the fridge on propane when you get the smell, the blocked vent is a possibility. Do you get the propane smell when the fridge is on electricty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gulfstream Greg Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 I once saw a lead in a line which was behind the stove. The copper line was touching a bracket which which was a different type of metal and a small spot of corrosion (electrolysis) had been created and I guess eventually a very small microscopic hole. Long story short you might have to check every inch of the line(s) to find a leak. Also check the pilot light for the oven and stove top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom W Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 The stuff that they use so you can smell it hangs around seveal hours when I fill mine and they open the vent when filling even though the tank is a outside compartment it gets inside for awhile. Also when I open the tank before I back seat the valve get a little wiff I use a detector its very sensative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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