Nam Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 This antique propane tank leaks where the clear window (pressure gauge transducer is) as indicated by my leak detector. It empties the tank in about a month. Any idea as how to mitigate this issue? I am not even sure to how remove the tank either since it's under the closet inside (lift up from inside?) This is on 1990 Itasca Spirit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdfrost64 Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 just take it out and reseal it.There not that hard .if need new gasket just call Manchester tank in Elkhart IN . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 What kind of leak detector do you have. Wondering how it can narrow it down to that. Bubble test will tell you exactly where the gas is coming out. Way more likely that it's the regulator right above the window than the tank itself. Those aren't difficult to change. Removing the tank and opening up a tank with flammable gas in it cause there's always some left is way more than I would try. Then that tank has to be flushed by a propane place to remove all the air before it can be refilled again. Do bubble test and get back to us. Totem did open his tank and replace some valves so he would be the best person to give advice here. Hope he see's the post or you could message him Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nam Posted June 19, 2017 Author Share Posted June 19, 2017 Hi Linda...I like the bubble idea...let me ask my kid for a bottle of that to try out. This is the one I use Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 I use dollar store bubbles. I did have a regulator leak and when I went to Suburban to have them find the leak his bubble stuff was crap. I got out my dollar store stuff and you could see it immediately. He didn't charge me. Bubbles and spray bottle 2 bucks Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdfrost64 Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 i'm curious about flushing all the air out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 It's called purging and it must be done before a propane tank that has air in it or a new tank can be filled. https://www.hunker.com/12001490/how-to-purge-a-propane-tank Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanAatTheCape Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 I think removal does come up thru the closet floor. Not much too removing the floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 For years I used stuff called Mr Bubbles it was a mix for kids to make bubbles with a wand and it makes bubbles like you would not believe! When all of the freon laws came into effect I filled AC systems with Argon gas and used a spray bottle to look for leaks it works on anything that's under pressure if there is a leak you can't miss the bubbles better by far than any electronic device. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Or if you want to pay much more, you can buy the professional stuff: 'Snoop'. https://www.amazon.ca/Leak-Detectors-snoop-leak-detector/dp/B00H895GH8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmowrey Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 On 6/18/2017 at 7:03 PM, linda s said: What kind of leak detector do you have. Wondering how it can narrow it down to that. Bubble test will tell you exactly where the gas is coming out. Way more likely that it's the regulator right above the window than the tank itself. Those aren't difficult to change. Removing the tank and opening up a tank with flammable gas in it cause there's always some left is way more than I would try. Then that tank has to be flushed by a propane place to remove all the air before it can be refilled again. Do bubble test and get back to us. Totem did open his tank and replace some valves so he would be the best person to give advice here. Hope he see's the post or you could message him Linda S Hi Linda, Do you have a link to a good regulator which will work for the horizontal tank in my '85 Dolphin? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred heath Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 2 hours ago, jmowrey said: Hi Linda, Do you have a link to a good regulator which will work for the horizontal tank in my '85 Dolphin? Thanks! Try this company. Very good product. Stay away from Camco products. http://propanewarehouse.com/product-category/propane-regulators/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Dolphins have removable tanks and mine is permanent. I would have to see what's there now to know what would fit. You want a dual stage regulator that would install with the vent going down. There are a couple on the site Fred posted. This https://propanewarehouse.com/shop/propane-regulators/175000-btu-horizontal-propane-regulator/ or this https://propanewarehouse.com/shop/propane-regulators/175000-btu-vertical-propane-regulator/ Depending on whether your regulator is mounted vertically or horizontal Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmowrey Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Thanks to both Linda and Fred. Now that I'm learning some things, I can see that my existing regulator is improperly mounted. The vent does not vent downward. It vents to the side. Near as I can tell, this regulator is very old. Difficult to know if it is the original. It's hard to believe National RV would install a stock regulator that doesn't meet code specs for venting. But regardless, the regulator looks pretty old. So I will be replacing it with one that vents downward. In my wandering and reading about this I ran across something that said the maximum allowable divergence from directly downward is a 45 degree angle. Apparently this is to allow the vent to release moisture from the system without danger of it collecting in the vent and then freezing or otherwise compromising the vent. The way my tank is mounted, I can accomplish that with a horizontal mount, downward venting regulator. Here's what I'm thinking of going with. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0072L3AKC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It's dual stage, 200,000 BTU max flow, and has a built in excess flow safety feature. As Fred mentioned, I also found several reviews that warn agains Camco regulators. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 I don't think a Mr heater regulator is the best choice for a motorhome propane system. The ones from the site Fred posted were from Marshall Brass. so the best out there Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 17 minutes ago, jmowrey said: It's hard to believe National RV would install a stock regulator that doesn't meet code specs for venting. Haven't seen your installation, but I suspect that what was installed was to Code (at least at the time, 1985). Hard to guess what any owner has done since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nam Posted July 4, 2017 Author Share Posted July 4, 2017 Tried the bubble and I could not see the bubble as I think the leak is inside the hidden gap as I did hear the leaking sound changes when spraying with bubble. I'm want to use up this tank and replace the gauge gasket to see if leak still occurs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 I don't understand. You took a picture of the gauge and it clearly shows and you can't see bubbles coming from it but you still think it's leaking there? If it's leaking anywhere and you used kids bubbles that whole compartment would fill with bubbles. Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gulfstream Greg Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Mine valve leaked at the valve stem. Could not repair it. Bad news was the valve was no longer manufactured. Took a couple of days but I was able to find one for about $195. Not all valves are alike. so double check for the correct one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nam Posted July 11, 2017 Author Share Posted July 11, 2017 Thanks Greg! I am confident that the leak is at the gauge. Once I use up what's left, I'll open it and seal it. Hopefully that will fix the issue. I have one more camping trip to Monterey this coming week then I think all the propane will be gone by then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 The gauge isn't much more than a window. I agree with Linda if it's leaking you are going to have bubbles. Just out of curiosity why do you think you have a leak? Once filled a saddle propane tank will smell of propane for a couple of days because of the venting required to fill it. Your regulator probably meet code when it was installed some had caps that directed the venting downwards bottom line other than keeping water out it does not matter how it vents. It takes a lot of pressure to make a propane tank vent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Please resist the temptation to open the damn tank. Who ya gonna have purge it after. Needs to be purged with nitrogen. Empty tanks can still have lots of pressure inside and flammable stuff left. How ya gonna seal it. No bubbles means it's not leaking at the tank. More likely from another place, water heater, fridge, stove. Try spraying there with bubbles Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nam Posted July 12, 2017 Author Share Posted July 12, 2017 (edited) 2 hours ago, linda s said: Please resist the temptation to open the damn tank. Who ya gonna have purge it after. Needs to be purged with nitrogen. Empty tanks can still have lots of pressure inside and flammable stuff left. How ya gonna seal it. No bubbles means it's not leaking at the tank. More likely from another place, water heater, fridge, stove. Try spraying there with bubbles Linda S Thanks for the advice everyone including Linda. I have to do some more diagnosis. I believe the leak is in the gap between the gauge and the tank (where I inserted the card) when spraying bubble liquid I only heard the leaking sound changes...no bubble that I could see. I actually hear and smell propane right where the tank is with the valve close. I will take a video to see if you have different idea. The tank is now less than 1/4 full Edited July 12, 2017 by Nam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 There is an "O" ring in there that is why it stands proud of the housing. If you did not get bubbles it's not leaking. If you can hear a leak it's a really big one. The stink in propane is the same sort chemicals that a skunk ejects (mercaptain) if you have ever had a dog you know how long that lasts. When those tanks are filled during the entire process the gas has to be purged to allow the liquid in there is a pretty healthy cloud of it. Until all of the liquid is gone ( boils off) from a tank it is a dangerous thing and yes once opened it will have to be purged. This is generally not a do it yourself project with any propane tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nam Posted July 13, 2017 Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 (edited) I have good news to share. I actually mixed my own bubble this evening with dish soap and water. Sprayed on and actually found the leak...big leak where the gauge window is...which I didn't see last time since I didn't look below the gauge. I then used large screw bit to tight up all 4 screws. I believe they were not very tight before as after I broke thru the paint, I turned them at least 2 rounds. Sprayed again....voila....no more leak. I will test with my electronic detector tomorrow to confirm. When the remaining 1/4 tank is used up, I will fill again to see but for now I am confident that the problem had been fixed. Thanks again for all your valuable pieces of advice. I am so glad that Linda suggested not to open the tank. Here are pictures before the leak repair Edited July 13, 2017 by Nam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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