Bounder Propane smell near tank? Squealing heater.

BobKomar · 01-04-2012, 12:56 PM

I stayed in my 98 Bounder over Christmas/New Years while I had family in town.

Every now and then when walking past the propane compartment I would smell propane. I Check for leaks on all the fittings on the tank and in the compartment and found nothing. I did not take the cover off the regulator to check it, but I'm thinking I should check it too. When I checked for leaks I did not smell propane. I'm thinking maybe the tank was venting excess pressure, but the temps have been in the 20's to the 50's. Kinda cool to have it vent pressure isn't it?

The passenger side heater has a squeal in the blower motor that goes away about a minuet after the heater starts. I think the bearings are getting dry. The owners manual indicates that the motor bearings are permanently lubed and not serviceable. How hard is it change the blower motor? Should I change it now or wait till it dies because it's a bear to change?

RustyJC · 01-04-2012, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobKomar

I did not take the cover off the regulator to check it, but I'm thinking I should check it too.

Probably so. The last time I had an RV where I was smelling propane, it was a cracked diaphragm in the regulator.

Rusty

**Gary RVRoamer** · 01-04-2012, 01:22 PM

Odds are it's the regulator leaking off pressure. Just replace it - they aren't expensive. You don't have to pay RV store prices either - it is a LP gas industry standard item, same as used in homes. 11" WC of output pressure.

As for the heater motor, it usually isn't hard. Takes more patience than skill. In some models you can get at the motor without removing the furnace from the side wall, while in others it is best done on the work bench. I replaced the fan blades (squirrel cage type) in mine this summer while parked in a campground in Maine. Pulled the furnace out, set it on the picnic table, did the swap, and put it back. Took about 3 hours.

BobKomar · 01-04-2012, 04:03 PM

I had a broken diaphragm on a grill reg once, it was a constant leak, this is a intermittent smell. I'm going to replace it any way just to know. I want to add a port for my camp chef any how.