|
08-06-2011, 09:08 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific City, OR
Posts: 270
|
Propane valve
I decided randomly while I was crawling around on the ground looking at the underside of the MH (1978 Tioga) to check the propane tank. The valve wouldn't budge in either direction. I'd assume it was closed, but when I couldn't turn it open, I tried turning it closed. Didn't budge at all either way, and I tried putting some force into it.
Any tips on how to remedy this? or is this something I need to bring to the local dealer to check out?
Also, the tank is getting a fair amount of rust on it. Is this something to worry about?
__________________
1992 Dutchmen 30FK
2 adults who don't know they are adults, 3 furry feline children
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
08-06-2011, 09:32 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Federal Way, Wa.
Posts: 2,901
|
Valves that do not work and tanks that are rusty would be on my list to fix---then I wouldn't have to worry. I would have someone else do the work if the valve you are talking about is the only exterior shut off valve.
__________________
I do all my own stunts
03 Dolphin LX 6355, Workhorse W22, 8.1 vortec, 04 CR-V, Blue Ox, Brake Pro----Norm, Barb and
Doc(He's a PhD)
|
|
|
08-07-2011, 07:48 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific City, OR
Posts: 270
|
Not what I want to hear this close to winter (and only having 9 days left until I am unemployed), but what can you do, right?
__________________
1992 Dutchmen 30FK
2 adults who don't know they are adults, 3 furry feline children
|
|
|
08-07-2011, 08:05 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Snowbird - Waterford Mi and Citrus Springs Fl.
Posts: 3,609
|
Not a job for the inexperienced or faint of heart. To give you an idea, you'll need to remove the POL fitting that's screwed into the valve (between the regulator and the valve) with the valve turned on (or wherever it's at). 7/8" wrench and the threads are backwards/LH. Get that done, then you let the tank freeze down. Give it a couple of minutes roaring away while the propane is free flowing from the open valve, then you'll notice the roaring slow down and stop as the propane freezes. Now's your chance to get the valve out, and the new one in. I wouldn't waste my time trying to fix the old one. They aren't that expensive.
Common sense would tell you no sparks during any part of this operation? That would be electrical ( Disconnect the batteries prior to doing anything on the propane system!!!!) or static (don't even THINK about hitting anything with a hammer!!!).
And make sure there's nothing downwind for at least 1/4 mile to allow the propane to disperse. More is better.
__________________
1997 37' HR Endeavor, 275hp Cat, Freightliner
03 CR-V Blue Ox, Ready Brake
|
|
|
08-08-2011, 02:20 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,976
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by SyrenSkywolf
I decided randomly while I was crawling around on the ground looking at the underside of the MH (1978 Tioga) to check the propane tank. The valve wouldn't budge in either direction. I'd assume it was closed, but when I couldn't turn it open, I tried turning it closed. Didn't budge at all either way, and I tried putting some force into it.
Any tips on how to remedy this? or is this something I need to bring to the local dealer to check out?
Also, the tank is getting a fair amount of rust on it. Is this something to worry about?
|
are you da guy with the fridge problem?
most fridges that old (1978) run off propane only, so your propane valve must be on.
my fridge runs off of 120v or propane, but it is 23 years newer.
you can clean the rust off the tank with a wire brush and paint it with aluminum colored reflective rustoleum type paint.
use the search function on this forum to look for more info on painting. most horizontal rv tanks are asme tanks. the regulations on asme tanks are different from dot bottles.
http://www.propane101.com/index.htm
Propane Safety and Use
http://www.bustropolis.com/files/dow...nformation.pdf
POR15, Inc. - Stop Rust Permanently - Repair Gas & Fuel Tanks
__________________
01 WINNEBAGO 35U W20.8.1L 5sp allison SW Wa,. Good Sam, SKP. RVM 198 AMSOIL fluids. BANKS ecm program. SCAN GAUGE II w/ Ally temp. 2 LIFELINE GPL-6CT AGM Batts on their sides. Michelins, TST tptts. K&N panel air filter. AERO mufflers. TAYLOR plug wires. ULTRA POWER track bar. KONI fsd shocks, toad '21MB GLA FWD on dolly
|
|
|
08-08-2011, 02:57 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific City, OR
Posts: 270
|
Yeah, I am the same one with the fridge issue lol. But the fridge is both propane and electric
__________________
1992 Dutchmen 30FK
2 adults who don't know they are adults, 3 furry feline children
|
|
|
08-08-2011, 08:31 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
|
I have seen valves opened (or closd) so hard that it took a lot of force to turn 'em the other way.. this is very common on Propane valves which are "left handed" people thinking like a water faucet force them hard against the stop and it takes tools to turn 'em the other way.
Recommendation: Visit a propane WHOLESALER who has a service technician. not a dealer who delivers tanks or a swap out place but the kind of place that delivers to the dealer.
Google: Proapne {your current zip code}
for a suspect list near you.
__________________
Home is where I park it!
|
|
|
08-08-2011, 07:31 PM
|
#8
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,697
|
I'd take it to a propane tech, not an RV shop.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
|
|
|
08-10-2011, 08:52 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: May 2009
Location: AZ Mountains
Posts: 394
|
So - here's the lesson to be learnrd - NEVER NEVER NEVER jam a valve open or closed. The correct procedure is to open it to the stop, then back off 1/2 to 3/4 turn. Closing a vlve is simlar, but you close it tjll the flow stops, then leave it there. Dont ever JAM valves "just to be sure they're open (or closed)'
How to open a jammed valve? If it's propane, ya gotta be real careful. Loosen the nut around the stem by spraying kroil or Lub-e on it and let it sit for a day. you then (if lucky) might be able to 'rock' the nut back & forth a tiny bit at a time, till it actually moves. Spray again with kroil and try rocking the valve handle. may take a while, but it frequently works. The key is loosening that nut just a tiny bit at a time. Best advise I can offer - throw that can of WD40 as far as you can, to be sure you don't accidentally pick it up & use it.
|
|
|
08-11-2011, 02:06 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific City, OR
Posts: 270
|
I would never get rid of my can of WD40!!! To utter such nonsense is blasphemy! It is a great thing to have! Fish go nuts over the stuff!!!!
At least it works great for something, right? :P
__________________
1992 Dutchmen 30FK
2 adults who don't know they are adults, 3 furry feline children
|
|
|
08-14-2011, 01:35 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific City, OR
Posts: 270
|
Finally got it loose. Was stuck open.
Any recommendations on the minimum amount of propane to put in to ensure it works properly before filling it up?
__________________
1992 Dutchmen 30FK
2 adults who don't know they are adults, 3 furry feline children
|
|
|
08-14-2011, 08:30 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Snowbird - Waterford Mi and Citrus Springs Fl.
Posts: 3,609
|
A single gallon will produce the same pressures/flow rates a full tank will. Checking it out with just this in it is a good plan...
__________________
1997 37' HR Endeavor, 275hp Cat, Freightliner
03 CR-V Blue Ox, Ready Brake
|
|
|
08-14-2011, 08:42 AM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Somewhere in the woods in Belfair, WA, WA
Posts: 1,250
|
Even before you fill it with that one gallon, check the relief/10% valve to see if it opens and closes freely. This will be a small (pencil eraser-size) round valve with little ears near the filler opening. It should be open during filling to vent air (cool and clear) and when the tank is at capacity, it will start to spit propane (white vapor, very cold).
There are plenty of idiots filling propane bottles out there- always WATCH during filling to make sure you aren't a victim of their idiocy.
__________________
Life rocks when your house rolls
Senior Chief & the Cheese Queen
|
|
|
08-15-2011, 02:41 AM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific City, OR
Posts: 270
|
Thanks guys, will definitely keep those in mind this upcoming weekend!
__________________
1992 Dutchmen 30FK
2 adults who don't know they are adults, 3 furry feline children
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|