Date: Sat, 2 Sep 2000 07:39:18 -0400
Reply-To: Richard Golen <rgolen@UMASSD.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Golen <rgolen@UMASSD.EDU>
Subject: Autostop Valve Problem Solved - Repair proceedure
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After getting advice from the list (replace the AutoStop w/generic fill
valve - approx $40) to one RV supply house's piece of advice (have to
replace the tank too - none of the generic valves will fit your tank -
$400) I figured I'd have nothing to loose if I took the AutoStop valve
apart to see what made it work (or not work in my case).
The valve is a rather simple device.....Open the bleed valve, let the
propane flow in. The "red button" is actually the top end of a sliding
piston which allows LPG to flow into the tank. Once sufficient LPG has
reached the 80% level of the tank, LPG flows through a tube into the other
side of the AutoStop and forces the piston to close the valve. Then you
close off the bleed valve. Simple...
The problem with my valve was that the piston was not closing all the way.
When the valve is open, there a pinhole vent built into the body of the
valve which bleeds air from the valve as the LPG pours in. The piston is
lubricated with some sort of "jelly" which has apparently hardened after
time and the piston was unable to close completely.
To fix the problem is simple....pop off the shield from the bottom of the
tank. Unscrew the overflow tube from the tank. Place some clean paper
towels or news paper under the tank. Remove the four screws holding the top
of valve in place. Carefully remove the right hand side (as you face the
valve) of the valve.
Remove the "red button" which is actually a plastic cap. Gently push the
piston out. Be careful not to drop it or to bung up the rubber O-rings.
Clean the surface of the valve and the bore with alcohol. To lubricate the
valve I used a synthetic light grease. I'm not sure that Vaseline will
work...as it degrades rubber and I'm not sure what the O-rings are made of.
Gently put the piston back in place, then put the right half of the valve
in place. Once the right half is in place put the screws in and gently
tighten them. Put a little teflon tape on the fittings for the tube and put
the tube back in place.
I took the Westy to the propane place....and voila...no leak!
Ric