Propane Leaks

doorfx

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2011
Messages
10,050
Reaction score
24,523
Location
calgary ab
It's more for carbon monoxide, but if the ratio of propane and air is high enough it won't go off, but yet could still blow up

Ya either did mine, was more so very time I was 10 feet from the tanks, inside somewhat

Not consistent either

It's an LPG detector mounted on the floor. Propane is heavier than air. I also have a carbon monoxide detector mounted on the ceiling. Carbon monoxide is lighter than air. Two very different detectors. LPG detectors just like carbon monoxide detectors have a shelf life of five to seven years. A pressure/time test just like on your natural gas system is the best way to test for leaks on the entire system. Regulator pressure should be set at 11 inches of water column and can't exceed 14 inches of water column or your regulator is faulty.
 
Last edited:
  • Thread starter
  • Moderator
  • #42

arff

Active VIP Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2009
Messages
139,680
Reaction score
55,243
Location
Leduc
I soaped all my fitting and connections 5 or 6 different times and no bubbles.

So I went into propane shop in Edmonton.

He said regulator was older and would not hurt to replace.
Also am replacing hoses to bottles.

He also suggested redoing all the connections up front as that is area we smelled something.

I found this when I took it apart.

No bubbles or leak showed with soapy water spray
 

doorfx

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2011
Messages
10,050
Reaction score
24,523
Location
calgary ab
That would do it. That's why doing a timed pressure test using a manometer is the only true way to be sure. It's not propane you were smelling as it is odorless. Ethyl mercaptan is the additive you were smelling :)
 
  • Thread starter
  • Moderator
  • #44

arff

Active VIP Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2009
Messages
139,680
Reaction score
55,243
Location
Leduc
That would do it. That's why doing a timed pressure test using a manometer is the only true way to be sure. It's not propane you were smelling as it is odorless. Ethyl mercaptan is the additive you were smelling :)

Ok.

We always figured sewer smell.

I thinking it was cracked for years or since we got toyhauler used

Always smelled
 

OVERKILL 19

Active VIP Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
3,420
Reaction score
1,929
Location
Red Deer
I soaped all my fitting and connections 5 or 6 different times and no bubbles.

So I went into propane shop in Edmonton.

He said regulator was older and would not hurt to replace.
Also am replacing hoses to bottles.

He also suggested redoing all the connections up front as that is area we smelled something.

I found this when I took it apart.

No bubbles or leak showed with soapy water spray

I could be wrong but ...is that pipe tape in the threads? If so that's what caused the split if that is not pipe thread joint. It looks like a tapered fitting in picture but I could be wrong. Tapered seat fittings require NO tape


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hose and connection of left = no tape.
Female on top of 90 will require tape on male side of connection.
If you tape a hose connection you will split fitting and it will always leak as male does not bottom out in seat!! Lol
 
Last edited:
  • Thread starter
  • Moderator
  • #47

arff

Active VIP Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2009
Messages
139,680
Reaction score
55,243
Location
Leduc
Was that fitting the one upper left in the picture off the regulator?

No. It was the other end of the bottom hose going to a steel pipe feeding all appliances
 
  • Thread starter
  • Moderator
  • #48

arff

Active VIP Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2009
Messages
139,680
Reaction score
55,243
Location
Leduc
I could be wrong but ...is that pipe tape in the threads? If so that's what caused the split if that is not pipe thread joint. It looks like a tapered fitting in picture but I could be wrong. Tapered seat fittings require NO tape


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hose and connection of left = no tape.
Female on top of 90 will require tape on male side of connection.
If you tape a hose connection you will split fitting and it will always leak as male does not bottom out in seat!! Lol

It goes to a black pipe feeding all appliances

My guess it has been cracked for years and starting getting worse.

I did have the propane system services 3 years ago. So maybe got cracked then.

Really don't know
 

OVERKILL 19

Active VIP Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
3,420
Reaction score
1,929
Location
Red Deer
It goes to a black pipe feeding all appliances

My guess it has been cracked for years and starting getting worse.

I did have the propane system services 3 years ago. So maybe got cracked then.

Really don't know

Kk
The picture did not look like pipe thread to me. But hard to tell from that angle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Thread starter
  • Moderator
  • #50

arff

Active VIP Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2009
Messages
139,680
Reaction score
55,243
Location
Leduc
Kk
The picture did not look like pipe thread to me. But hard to tell from that angle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

1/2 inch pipe running along trailer frame.
I don't think I took a picture of that.

Good news is it's all fixed now.
 

OVERKILL 19

Active VIP Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
3,420
Reaction score
1,929
Location
Red Deer
1/2 inch pipe running along trailer frame.
I don't think I took a picture of that.

Good news is it's all fixed now.

Ya the black pipe that runs along your trailer will be pipe thread but the picture of your cracked fitting did not look like pipe thread ..to me!

If it was this fitting then someone way over torqued it and split it but your all fixed! All good!




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
  • Thread starter
  • Moderator
  • #52

arff

Active VIP Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2009
Messages
139,680
Reaction score
55,243
Location
Leduc
It's been 5 days with everything off and regulator still shows green.

Before within 1/2 hr regulator went red like out of propane.

I will see next week camping if smell is gone forsure.

Thanks for all the advise.
 

TylerG

Super Mod Geek
Administrator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 7, 2006
Messages
30,641
Reaction score
27,950
Location
Parkland County
finding big time propane smell at front of my trailer as well now, replaced hoses already, ordered regulator, hopefully this will do the trick..... shouldn't have gone thru 40lbs of propane already this year.
 

X-Treme

Active VIP Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2014
Messages
2,832
Reaction score
4,141
Location
Strathcona County
Website
www.robinsautomotive.ca
I WISH I could only go thru 40lbs in a year. Generally with about 40 - 45 nights in the trailer per season, I'm about 90 - 120lbs. Wife likes to be warm, apparently... FML

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
 

tex78

Active VIP Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2010
Messages
17,526
Reaction score
16,896
Location
DA Moose B.C
I WISH I could only go thru 40lbs in a year. Generally with about 40 - 45 nights in the trailer per season, I'm about 90 - 120lbs. Wife likes to be warm, apparently... FML

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
Or your camping in alberia
 
  • Thread starter
  • Moderator
  • #57

arff

Active VIP Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2009
Messages
139,680
Reaction score
55,243
Location
Leduc
finding big time propane smell at front of my trailer as well now, replaced hoses already, ordered regulator, hopefully this will do the trick..... shouldn't have gone thru 40lbs of propane already this year.

I will text you Friday. We are starting camping Thursday and will know forsure if our smell and leak fixed.

I may have suggestions for you
 
Top Bottom