Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Propane leaks inside coach (Help!)
| Propane leaks inside coach [message #120408] |
Thu, 31 March 2011 10:01  |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
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So I could smell gas when ever the propane was turned on. Investigation found that the propane lines, under the kitchen Cabinet were all leaking.
BTW, the is a 75 transmode upfitted by coachman, then redone in 2000 by Executive coaches...
The lines are soft copper with flare connections. every connection had teflon tape on the threads....Grrrr
There were also cheap shutoff valves for every appliance, and a couple of extra extensions for a total of 18 leaky connections for 3 appliances.
I removed the valves and ran new copper to the appliances.
I bubble tested everything and after a few tries, no bubbles.
But with the gas on, but nothing running I still smell gas!
I've checked every connection, except the furnace valve itself ( which is really hard to get to without disconnecting the gas line)
How does one make a good leak free system??
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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| Re: Propane leaks inside coach [message #120411 is a reply to message #120408] |
Thu, 31 March 2011 10:52  |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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| Keith V wrote on Thu, 31 March 2011 11:01 |
So I could smell gas when ever the propane was turned on. Investigation found that the propane lines, under the kitchen Cabinet were all leaking.
BTW, the is a 75 transmode upfitted by coachman, then redone in 2000 by Executive coaches...
The lines are soft copper with flare connections. every connection had teflon tape on the threads....Grrrr
There were also cheap shutoff valves for every appliance, and a couple of extra extensions for a total of 18 leaky connections for 3 appliances.
I removed the valves and ran new copper to the appliances.
I bubble tested everything and after a few tries, no bubbles.
But with the gas on, but nothing running I still smell gas!
I've checked every connection, except the furnace valve itself ( which is really hard to get to without disconnecting the gas line)
How does one make a good leak free system??
|
Well Keith,
You have made a real good start, and this is not an uncommon situation. Problem - A fast leak may not blow bubbles. (Care to ask how I know about that?)
What I would suggest you do now is make a manometer (a piece of clear tubing held to a stick by tape or wire-ties with enough water for 11") and stick it on a stove jet. On most stoves, you can pull a burner assembly away and be looking at a jet. Push the manometer tube on there and turn on that burner. Now go open the tank valve, count to three and close it. When you get back to the stove, the manometer should still be a lot like 11". If it is not real close, make another reading with the valve open. Close the valve now that you see the regulator pressure and see how fast it looses it.
Now, if the mano looses column at all, you do have a problem.
First, check and make sure that the stove pilots are shut off. (Most RV stove control this with the oven control.) Then, plug (get the real flare plugs) off the other two. Get real flare plugs. Flare to barbs are available so you can connect the manometer to something else and check the stove.
It is now a process of elimination.
Good Luck Guy
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: Propane leaks inside coach [message #120414 is a reply to message #120408] |
Thu, 31 March 2011 11:31 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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""But with the gas on, but nothing running I still smell gas!
I've checked every connection, except the furnace valve itself ( which is really hard to get to without disconnecting the gas line)
How does one make a good leak free system??""
You may still have some residual smell from the previous leakage. I can't recall what the stuff is called (others will chime in) but if you can't find anything else, it's a possibility.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Propane leaks inside coach [message #120417 is a reply to message #120408] |
Thu, 31 March 2011 11:50 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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If you have an oven make sure the oven pilot valve is off a lot of ovens feed gas to the oven pilot with the valve in the off position. The thought here is the standing oven pilot would have been lit.
Roy
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: Propane leaks inside coach [message #120418 is a reply to message #120408] |
Thu, 31 March 2011 11:52 |
fred v
Messages: 999
Registered: April 2006
Location: pensacola, fl.
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| Keith V wrote on Thu, 31 March 2011 10:01 |
So I could smell gas when ever the propane was turned on. Investigation found that the propane lines, under the kitchen Cabinet were all leaking.
BTW, the is a 75 transmode upfitted by coachman, then redone in 2000 by Executive coaches...
The lines are soft copper with flare connections. every connection had teflon tape on the threads....Grrrr
There were also cheap shutoff valves for every appliance, and a couple of extra extensions for a total of 18 leaky connections for 3 appliances.
I removed the valves and ran new copper to the appliances.
I bubble tested everything and after a few tries, no bubbles.
But with the gas on, but nothing running I still smell gas!
I've checked every connection, except the furnace valve itself ( which is really hard to get to without disconnecting the gas line)
How does one make a good leak free system??
|
i've been going through the same problem. i finally found it was the furnace shut off valve. i took it apart and used some super fine lapping compound to re-seat the taper plug. i put it together and could suck on the inlet end and hold a vacuum. ah, i got it fixed! NO. it still leaked around the plug stem on pressure test. i replaced it and all is well now.
Fred V
'77 Royale RB 455
P'cola, Fl
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| Re: [GMCnet] Propane leaks inside coach [message #120420 is a reply to message #120415] |
Thu, 31 March 2011 11:53 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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I don't know for sure that your stove has a pilot light, but mine on my
Royale by coachman has. I was unaware that it even existed & for the first
year I lit my burners with a barbeque lighter. I would sometimes smell a
slight whiff of propane when the coach was closed but I always close the
tank valve when in transit. One time I put my hand on the center of the area
between the 4 burners and it was quite hot. I didn't have any burners on &
thought that peculiar. When I raised up the cooktop, lo & behold there was
the pilot burning away. It had ignited from one of the surface burners. If
you do not want to use the pilot feature, it has an adjustment that can be
turned off & no more smell from that source. Some here have mentioned that
the burner valves themselves can be a source of leaks as well. I suppose
that anywhere that you have a shaft through a packing gland that you have a
source of a leak. Sure worth a check. A propane dector as well as a CO
detector is not a bad idea either.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
78 GMC Royale 403
On Thu, Mar 31, 2011 at 9:36 AM, Gary Worobec <gtw5@earthlink.net> wrote:
> I had the same thing and it was coming from the regulator on the propane
> range top. So slight that I could not pick it up with a bubble test. Since
> I
> had a regulator on the tank there was no need for an additional regulator
> on
> the stove as both regulators are the same value. I removed it and the smell
> went away. Obviously you need to check the tank regulator to make sure it
> can be used for the stove.
>
> Thanks
>
> Gary and Joanne Worobec
> 1973 GMC Glacier
> Anza, CA
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bob de Kruyff" <NEXT2POOL@AOL.COM>
> To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2011 9:31 AM
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Propane leaks inside coach
>
>
> >
> >
> > ""But with the gas on, but nothing running I still smell gas!
> > I've checked every connection, except the furnace valve itself ( which is
> > really hard to get to without disconnecting the gas line)
> >
> > How does one make a good leak free system??""
> >
> > You may still have some residual smell from the previous leakage. I can't
> > recall what the stuff is called (others will chime in) but if you can't
> > find anything else, it's a possibility.
> > --
> > Bob de Kruyff
> > 78 Eleganza
> > Chandler, AZ
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Propane leaks inside coach [message #120422 is a reply to message #120415] |
Thu, 31 March 2011 12:09 |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Some replacement stoves or burner tops come with a regulator but it
should not be used. With a regulator already at the tank the pressure
to the stove is already reduced so a second regulator will not have
enough pressure at it's input to work properly and sometimes that will
not allow it to seal properly and it can leak slightly.
Emery Stora
Emery
On Mar 31, 2011, at 10:36 AM, Gary Worobec <gtw5@earthlink.net> wrote:
> I had the same thing and it was coming from the regulator on the
> propane
> range top. So slight that I could not pick it up with a bubble test.
> Since I
> had a regulator on the tank there was no need for an additional
> regulator on
> the stove as both regulators are the same value. I removed it and
> the smell
> went away. Obviously you need to check the tank regulator to make
> sure it
> can be used for the stove.
>
> Thanks
>
> Gary and Joanne Worobec
> 1973 GMC Glacier
> Anza, CA
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bob de Kruyff" <NEXT2POOL@AOL.COM>
> To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2011 9:31 AM
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Propane leaks inside coach
>
>
>>
>>
>> ""But with the gas on, but nothing running I still smell gas!
>> I've checked every connection, except the furnace valve itself
>> ( which is
>> really hard to get to without disconnecting the gas line)
>>
>> How does one make a good leak free system??""
>>
>> You may still have some residual smell from the previous leakage. I
>> can't
>> recall what the stuff is called (others will chime in) but if you
>> can't
>> find anything else, it's a possibility.
>> --
>> Bob de Kruyff
>> 78 Eleganza
>> Chandler, AZ
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Propane leaks inside coach [message #120430 is a reply to message #120420] |
Thu, 31 March 2011 12:50 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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""I don't know for sure that your stove has a pilot light, but mine on my
Royale by coachman has. I was unaware that it even existed & for the first
year I lit my burners with a barbeque lighter. I would sometimes smell a
slight whiff of propane when the coach was closed but I always close the
tank valve when in transit. One time I put my hand on the center of the area
between the 4 burners and it was quite hot. I didn't have any burners on &
thought that peculiar. When I raised up the cooktop, lo & behold there was
the pilot burning away. It had ignited from one of the surface burners. If
you do not want to use the pilot feature, it has an adjustment that can be
turned off & no more smell from that source. Some here have mentioned that
the burner valves themselves can be a source of leaks as well. I suppose
that anywhere that you have a shaft through a packing gland that you have a
source of a leak. Sure worth a check. A propane dector as well as a CO
detector is not a bad idea either.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
""
I discovered the same thing years ago. I would smell propane occasionally and then discovered the the plastic wrapper on the loaf of bread lying on the stove cover had melted. Mine has a separate shutoff for the pilot which has never been turned back on.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Propane leaks inside coach [message #120442 is a reply to message #120408] |
Thu, 31 March 2011 14:06 |
pickle4k
Messages: 129
Registered: January 2011
Location: San Leandro
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I too had a pilot light in my oven, which was controlled by the oven valve, BUT mine would not shut OFF. I have now replaced the whole oven unit with a new Suburban 2 burner cooktop and installed the famous "Fisher Ignitor" mod. It works great and no more smell. Thanks Gene.
Nick R. NorCal
76-23'Transmode-Norris
Rear Bath and
75-26' Avion
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| Re: Propane leaks inside coach [message #120454 is a reply to message #120442] |
Thu, 31 March 2011 16:01 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Dang...I'm PRETTY sure I don't have a pilot light!
I think I'll be checking!
Then I'll do the manometer test.
This has got to be fixed...
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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| Re: Propane leaks inside coach [message #120477 is a reply to message #120475] |
Thu, 31 March 2011 22:27 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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| WD0AFQ wrote on Thu, 31 March 2011 21:04 |
Keith, We had a smell in the bedroom. I did everything. Finally last summer I replaced the O ring behind the gauge on the tank. Also had to replace the rubber seal under the pop off valve. No more smell in the bedroom. Teri is happy.
Dan
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Maybe a change in diet too Dan??
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Propane leaks inside coach [message #120491 is a reply to message #120408] |
Fri, 01 April 2011 06:18 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Keith,
Over the years I worked on my '76, I discovered that every single flare nut
was cracked. Probably from over tightening and they seemed to be made of
some kind of powdered or cast metal. Cheapies.
On Thu, Mar 31, 2011 at 8:01 AM, Keith V <my427v8@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> So I could smell gas when ever the propane was turned on. Investigation
> found that the propane lines, under the kitchen Cabinet were all leaking.
>
> BTW, the is a 75 transmode upfitted by coachman, then redone in 2000 by
> Executive coaches...
>
> The lines are soft copper with flare connections. every connection had
> teflon tape on the threads....Grrrr
>
> There were also cheap shutoff valves for every appliance, and a couple of
> extra extensions for a total of 18 leaky connections for 3 appliances.
>
> I removed the valves and ran new copper to the appliances.
> I bubble tested everything and after a few tries, no bubbles.
>
> But with the gas on, but nothing running I still smell gas!
> I've checked every connection, except the furnace valve itself ( which is
> really hard to get to without disconnecting the gas line)
>
> How does one make a good leak free system??
> --
> Keith
> 69 Vette
> 29 Dodge
> 75 Royale GMC
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Steve Ferguson
Sierra Vista, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Propane leaks inside coach [message #120494 is a reply to message #120491] |
Fri, 01 April 2011 08:11 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Well i used good forged Flare nuts.
I last checked it last Saturday, so last night it smelled OK.
So My plan is to test it tomorrow using the Manometer.
Tho I'm pretty sure it will be leaky, and I still have to check for broken parts.
Im pretty sure the stovetop has a regulator on it...
I hope it's not the furnace, it's a nice new one. ok, well _only_ 10 years old!
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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