Community Forums

Lotus · 02-01-2009, 11:44 AM

I have my '06 Tradewinds 40F stored for the winter in indoor storage. Went by there today just to check on things, and glad I did. I opened the coach door and got a quick whiff of propane smell. Stopped there, went and shut off the valve on the tank...dummy me should have done that prior to storage. Inside the coach, the odor wasn't overwhelming (bomb stage), but was enough to set the propane alarm off. Checked the usual stuff like stove valves, etc but nothing obvious.

My dealer just went belly-up, and it's a long haul to what I'll call a good service center. Would like to troubleshoot this myself when the weather breaks and I can get it outdoors. I have no clue whether it's the water heater, stove, furnaces, frig, etc. Where do I start and what do I need?

kampingkeith · 02-01-2009, 07:12 PM

When our shop technicians take in a coach, they check for leaks with a manometer. They attach it to a burner on the stove top, pressurize it, and watch for a pressure drop. If there is a drop, they shut off propane to each appliance one at a time to find the culprit.

For me, (a non-technician) I have had luck with a paintbrush and soapy water. With the valve on the tank open, I swab anything I can get to until I see bubbles. If I can't find it myself, it goes in the shop.

jerseyjim · 02-02-2009, 02:08 AM

I had such a problem maybe last year. I had the Dometic recall done...and the techie didn't tighten up a fitting quite enough.

Fred and Bonnie · 02-02-2009, 04:29 AM

I presume you checked the stove burner controls?

The other appliances would be sealed, the propane portion woul be located outside.

Fred

Ed-Sommers · 02-02-2009, 05:17 AM

Take it from a old Bus owner, all of whom have a running battle with air leaks - which is same a propane leak except won't go boom!

A spray bottle of water with just a few drops of dish soap prayed on ALL fittings will find the smallest of leaks in short order.

Ed

two2go · 02-02-2009, 06:12 AM

I found the gas line fitting to the stove under the burner cover was just a bit loose on our previous trailer. The bubble test with soapy water found it.

Lotus · 02-04-2009, 01:18 PM

In addition to the soapy water, I picked up one of these inexpensive handheld leak detectors. I'll report back if it works well, and if so, would make a good addition to the RV tool box for only $30 bucks.

https://www.safehomeproducts.c...&topg=0&menupage=975