Propane Odor

[pshipsey]

I read the prior posts and the replies, and still have a question. Since last summer, when I last drove my camper, I've noticed a slight propane outside which has not occurred before. In December I took it to Camper World (my only choice UP here). They ran all the tests and found no issue. Just had my tank filled to 3/4 and the odor has returned.
No odor in the coach. No response to my gas detector. Sprayed soap/water around regulator area. No bubbles. Frig, water heater, and furnace all run well with no smell
I'm leaving for a 2500 mile trip in the morning. If needed, I can get it serviced at my destination, 1250 miles away
What would you do?
TIA for your response

2001 Jayco Eagle mini motor home Class C. Her name is Old Faithful.

 

[Kirk]

In December I took it to Camper World (my only choice UP here).

You are in Ft Collins and don't have any other choice? There were several mobile RV techs when we were in Loveland, about 5 years ago.

No odor in the coach. No response to my gas detector.

The first thing I would do is to test the propane detector. Just use a butane lighter with the valve held open without a flame and blowing into the detector opening. It may take a minute or two but it will alarm if the detector is OK. They actually detect hydrocarbons and so sense any flammable gas. It may be that you have a buildup of ethyl mercaptan, which is added to naturally odorless propane so that a leak can be detected, in the propane tank. That is not uncommon as propane containers age in active use. It can then be detected with any use of propane via the outside exhaust. The fact that the odor is outside only makes me suspect this is the cause. You might try lighting the stovetop and see if you can smell it a little on the inside without the detector alarming (assuming that it tested good). It shouldn't be strong but it could be there as the odorant doesn't always completely burn if too much has been in the supply.

 

[gwinger]

There is also a vent on the regulator. It normally faces down, so soapy water may not bubble around it.

 

[Larry N.]

In December I took it to Camper World (my only choice UP here).

Near Ft. Collins there are several possible choices, including a big one at Johnson's Corner (I think it's still Lazy Days- lotsa name changes) and several others along I-25, clear down to Transwest (great bunch) in Firestone.

Sprayed soap/water around regulator area.

I'd do the soapy water thing all over the tank (including fill port), regulator and lines as far as you can reasonably get to.

 

[Gr8bawana]

Soapy water EVERYWHERE there is propane. Furnace connection, fridge if it's propane, water heater. Anywhere you can trace the gas line.

 

[RayIN]

Near Ft. Collins there are several possible choices, including a big one at Johnson's Corner (I think it's still Lazy Days- lotsa name changes) and several others along I-25, clear down to Transwest (great bunch) in Firestone.


I'd do the soapy water thing all over the tank (including fill port), regulator and lines as far as you can reasonably get to.

Yep; my fill port valve was leaking on my ASME tank. Soapy water found it was leaking after I noticed the odor. The fill port/valve is normally capped, but not vapor-proof.

 

[Arch Hoagland]

Removed.

 

[Rene T]

Thread is 4 years old...wonder if she found the leak?

What? She posted this today. Did I miss something?

 

[gwinger]

What? She posted this today. Did I miss something?

No, but she joined 4 years ago

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

This is not something everyone is set up for but with an extend a stay, a grill tank and an inline pressure gauge one can do a leakdown test. Ensure appliances are off, charge the line and shut off the valve. Over some time like overnight see if the needle drops at all.

Just to check the box, sometimes a venting battery smell is confused with propane. So a check of the house and chassis battery (especially during charging) would eliminate that as a possibility.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Arch Hoagland]

Oops...looked at her join date.

 

[CharlesinGA]

Yep; my fill port valve was leaking on my ASME tank. Soapy water found it was leaking after I noticed the odor. The fill port/valve is normally capped, but not vapor-proof.

I'm betting on this. She just had it filled, it takes very little for you to smell it. Take it to a propane gas distributor and ask if they have a detector, and let them sniff the fill valve area.

Charles

 

[RayIN]

I'm betting on this. She just had it filled, it takes very little for you to smell it. Take it to a propane gas distributor and ask if they have a detector, and let them sniff the fill valve area.

Charles

The only difficult part to replacing the fill valve is, the tank must be empty first. The tank doesn't have to be purged afterwards; since LP vapor is heaver than air the tank remains full of vapor during the work.

 

[Jubilee]

On mine, it was a leaking pop off valve located on bottom of tank.
Valve was less than $20 a couple years ago at propane dealer in northern Colorado

 

[rjshiflet]

We had this problem with a previous fifth wheel and ultimately found it was leaking from the regulator. Not a huge leak, but the tiniest bit can be smelled. We replaced the regulator and never had that problem again.

 

[L-M-L]

When you open the valve on the propane tank are you opening all the way until its stops. The packing around the valve could be leaking, but the valve is design to seal off when fully opened. We have a 99 5th wheel and the valves on our tanks do leak some when opening and closing them.

 

[Kirk]

pshipsey, how about an update? What has happened since your post?

 

[meierjn]

When you open the valve on the propane tank are you opening all the way until its stops. The packing around the valve could be leaking, but the valve is design to seal off when fully opened. We have a 99 5th wheel and the valves on our tanks do leak some when opening and closing them.

I saw this previously posted as well and never knew this. Thanks for posting. I had always opened mine fully, then backed them off a bit. I'll stop doing that now!

 

[ButchW1]

I saw this previously posted as well and never knew this. Thanks for posting. I had always opened mine fully, then backed them off a bit. I'll stop doing that now!

X2...
Butch

 

[OVRV]

Hey pshipsey

This is not an uncommon occurrence with B and C class RVs.
Awesome that you ran the tests and no leaks detected.
Being that the LPG is stored in a “closed” compartment, when the regulator vent emits vapour it is faced with being contained, even though the compartment is vented and none will enter the coach.
So, while it stinks, good ol mercaptan, just don’t examine with an open flame, kind of like protocols at the gas pump.
You’re safe and can sleep well.
Safe travels!