Propane Smell After Filling 2017 View 24J

[TimothyPaul]

Good Morning All, I recently had my propane tank filled, and now when I walk by the fill area by the drivers door, I am smelling propane. I have never noticed this other times after I filled it. I am pretty good with electric, plumber and other skills, but I am new to the propane world. Could it just be over filled a bit ? Is there anything I can check. I filled it at a local Ace hardware store, was thinking I can bring it back there, but I am not sure how much they really know about propane either. TIA, Tim

 

[Our ride]

Check and make sure bleeder valve is closed(small valve that was opened during filling) .Second thing to check is remove yellow fill cap and see if any pressure is released(,may only be a small puff) if this happened very gently tap so the fill connection with a non metallic object to seat fill valve .

 

[TimothyPaul]

Hmm - that all looks fine. I double checked the valve and it was closed. I removed the yellow fill cap and nothing happened….

 

[RV_Lee]

First assumption is overfilled. Do you have a propane connection where you can plug a propane grill into it? I would do that to run it down. Keep propane fridge off. If you have a CO alarm you can use that to try and find the leak.

 

[TimothyPaul]

cool - i dont have a grill fitting ( or if I do, I have never found it), would it be safe to run the generator ?

 

[Morich]

When I smell propane, I run NOTHING, even a light switch until I check further!
I have lit myself once and never want that again!
We each have our own special rules but one I have learned for me, is that I prefer to take the RV to a "Real" propane dealer over the retail sellers who may not know what they do except turn on a pump! I like to find a gnarly old boy who does it 40 times a day over the new kid they just hired! If they have 4-5 big trucks of it setting around, I tend to feel safer!
I might drive the RV down to one of them and let them use their test tools or look at what you might have.
Paying them to do it WILL be lots cheaper than if you happen to make a mistake! I was lucky and they only had to peel the skin off one finger!

 

[mathmanrv]

Have you previously replaced the regulator?

Just had to replace ours on our 2107 g

 

[klook]

There was a recall for propane regulators at about that time frame. Don't remember the exact dates.

 

[mathmanrv]

I checked recalls since I just bought it but nothing came up.

 

[klook]

It would not be a recall about the camper. It would be about the regulator. Check with a dealer and get the serial and model number off the regulator.

 

[Our ride]

Good Morning All, I recently had my propane tank filled, and now when I walk by the fill area by the drivers door, I am smelling propane. I have never noticed this other times after I filled it. I am pretty good with electric, plumber and other skills, but I am new to the propane world. Could it just be over filled a bit ? Is there anything I can check. I filled it at a local Ace hardware store, was thinking I can bring it back there, but I am not sure how much they really know about propane either. TIA, Tim

One more test to do.Shut off propane tank and spray tank valves and anything else you see on tank with soap water solution.Look for bubblels. See any and there is your problem.No bubbles, turn on tank and respray valves again also spray down hoses and anything you can reach/see that may have a connection point.Hope this helps.

 

[TimothyPaul]

One more test to do.Shut off propane tank and spray tank valves and anything else you see on tank with soap water solution.Look for bubblels. See any and there is your problem.No bubbles, turn on tank and respray valves again also spray down hoses and anything you can reach/see that may have a connection point.Hope this helps.

Good Idea - I have done that with tires….

 

[TimothyPaul]

Have you previously replaced the regulator?

Just had to replace ours on our 2107 g

No - I am still at square one. Where is the regulator. The smell comes from right where you fill the tank….

 

[TimothyPaul]

So here is what I figured out so far. The noise/propane is definitely coming from that overflow valve. Gas comes out of there regardless of whether or not that emergency switch is off or on. (A little confusing - is “on” meaning the emergency shut off is on? It seems to work kinda opposite for me). But, when the valve is closed and the switch is on “off” there is no smell. When the valve is closed and the switch is “on”, I smell the propane. I am thinking that perhaps the tank is just over filled, even though the gauge reads 1/2. Either way the emergency shut off is set, if I open that valve, gas seems to come out.

There are no other leaks anywhere around the area.

 

[klook]

Would you please put up a picture of this emergency valve and the shut off?

 

[TimothyPaul]

My apologies - i thought I did !

 

[klook]

Thank you. That is an electric switch that actuates a solenoid in the line at some point. It is a needle valve that shuts off the flow to the camper. It should not fail to the point of smelling propane. I can see the regulator housing right behind it. Regulators fail and they have a vent in them. They also vent with pressure changes and over charging. The red ringed valve is for filling and venting the tank while filling. It might be not turned off tightly also.

 

[TimothyPaul]

Thank you for your help. So if it were over filled, would it make sense to open the vent until propane stopped coming out ? I am presuming if it is a vent, the propane would only come out when the tank is over filled.

 

[klook]

No, they open it and stop filling when liquid appears. I might try turn in a little tighter....but carefully. Spay soap on it. Then get at the regulator and spray soap on the input and exit. The regulator will have a vent, facing down, covered in a screen. This may be the source of the smell also. It is not a sign that the regulator has failed if it vents.

 

[klook]

Don't use a large wrench and twist like crazy on that fill vent. They use a T handled wrench that has the square molded in the end. It limits how much torque is applied.