Date:         Wed, 15 Mar 2000 18:51:30 -0500
Reply-To:     Jim Cain <jcain@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Cain <jcain@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject:      Re: butt cold propane diagnosis
Comments: To: Chris Fall <cpfall@UCDAVIS.EDU>
In-Reply-To:  <004f01bf8cd0$6f439710$dc89eda9@itd.ucdavis.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"

>Problem: I went up to Yosemite the other weekend. It was butt cold. I opened
>the regulator valve to my propane tank to make breakfast (fridge really
>wasn't needed), and propane started leaking out of the assembly. It was butt
>cold. After realizing that propane was engulfing me, I closed the valve and
>proceeded to use my backpacking stove for breakfast. Again, butt cold.
>Yesterday, back in the central valley of California (not so cold) , I dared
>open the valve again. It seems fine and there is no audible or smellable
>leak. Any thoughts before I dig in?

I replaced the on/off valve on my tank (85 Westy) for less than
$3.00.  The filler valve is another thing, but sounds like yours is
the on/off valve.  I thought it would be a big deal, so I went to a
LP service center.  I watched him and it was like changing a water
faucet, and he didn't even charge me for the labor.  I would be sure
the tank is empty, although the guy did mine without emptying it out.
He just worked fast and we used the tank after that for a week or two
before refilling.