05-17-2012, 10:56 PM
RustySneaky Leaky Propane Valve
For several months I've been trying to deal with a whiff of propane encountered under the reefer where the furnace resides.
First assessment was the smell originated from a dead mouse (caught in a trap in that space). But the odor persisted when the propane was activated. It was VERY slight, not even enough to trigger a portable sniffer.
At first, after confirming it was indeed propane and not dead rodents, I replaced the supply line to the reefer (I had already replaced it when installing the new reefer, but pinched the line - being too lazy to fetch the tubing bender from the shop - and it appeared I had created a pinhole). That failed to stop the leak.
I had a flare union that was suspect, in the furnace supply line. I replaced that, and still got the smell. All the joints, BTW, showed nothing on the bubble tests.
Today I removed the burner and the furnace solenoid valve and capped the propane supply line. NO SMELL! This means the culprit is the furnace solenoid valve; it would leak into the burner chamber, but would outflow to the furnace chamber, and from there, into the coach interior.
Somewhere I heard, "It's always SOMETHING!"
05-18-2012, 05:20 PM
RustyThe new valve is installed, and the leak seems to have stopped (no odor after an hour, where before, it was present after 15 minutes).
From pplmotorhomes.com (usually best price): $179
americanrvcompany.com: $122
Local RV dealer: $115
05-19-2012, 03:53 PM
Medic37Funny how dead rodent and propane can smell so similar at times.
I was working a Hippi Festival a few years back and a guy told me there was a dead mouse in the "camper" he had rented.
I asked if I could take-a-look.
Sure-enough, one of the burners on the stove was cracked-open just a little and the pilot had not been lit.
...no more "dead mouse"...
05-20-2012, 01:43 PM
Richard_Muisequote:
Originally posted by Medic37:
Funny how dead rodent and propane can smell so similar at times.
I was working a Hippi Festival a few years back and a guy told me there was a dead mouse in the "camper" he had rented.
I asked if I could take-a-look.
Sure-enough, one of the burners on the stove was cracked-open just a little and the pilot had not been lit.
...no more "dead mouse"...