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GaryKD · 12-04-2008, 11:02 AM

When the coach furnace kicks in, the propane regulator makes a gurgling sound. It soulnds just like an old style coffee pot that is brewing coffee. For all other appliances there is no sound. Everything seems to be working okay.

The propane tank is 2/3s full.

Should I be concerned?

GaryKD · 12-04-2008, 11:02 AM

When the coach furnace kicks in, the propane regulator makes a gurgling sound. It soulnds just like an old style coffee pot that is brewing coffee. For all other appliances there is no sound. Everything seems to be working okay.

The propane tank is 2/3s full.

Should I be concerned?

GaryKD · 12-05-2008, 09:41 AM

No mud daubbers. Everything was clean and clear. The gurgling was getting to me, so I took the regulator off the propane line. A considerable amount of yellow fluid (looked like urine) came out of the regulator!

Off to the nearest RV dealer and got a new regulator. For right now, no more gurgling. The regulator is totally silent.

What was the fluid and how did it get into the propane system, I do not know. Time will tell if this was a fluke or I need to do something more extensive.

Spikester · 12-05-2008, 08:08 PM

Gary; By chance was the fluid an oily/petroleum based like substance?

Spike

GaryKD · 12-06-2008, 02:29 AM

Spike,
The fluid did have a slippery feel to it, when pressed between the finger and thumb. There was no odor. The consistency was more like a very light oil than water.

Spikester · 12-06-2008, 07:01 AM

Gary; I would suspect that you may have gotten some contaminated propane in a recent fill-up. Have you gotten a fill from an industrial propane supplier recently? If so, that might be the source of the contaminated propane. The oily substance that can be leached out of a rubber hose is usually black in color and really gooey so I would not suspect this as a source, also your case seems to be isolated. Another thought is to call the supplier that you get your propane from, they may be able to help with the source of this substance. Could be as simple as a leaking seal on a pump. If they did disperse some contaminated propane they just might be will to help you with cost of the regulator replacement.

Spike

GaryKD · 12-06-2008, 06:26 PM

Hi Spike,
You have some good thoughts. Unfortunately, the last time I filled up with propane was about 18 months ago. I don't even remember where it was. The only place I buy propane is at CGs.

I think I'll wait and see if it does it again. If that happens, I need to consult a propane dealer to see if the tank should be cleaned somehow.

wulfdog · 12-06-2008, 08:02 PM

I used to run a propane truck and that happened every onece in a while. I think it's just condensation that settles out of the propane after a while. Lots of the regulators I took apart had the yellow oily stuff in them. Probably the difference between propane that is made during the production of gasoline and propane that comes out of the ground with natural gas. I'm not sure which one would be the cruddiest, but I'd think it would be the by-product of gas production.