Date: Sun, 3 Sep 2000 09:36:13 -1000
Reply-To: "Imua Camper Co." <elua@INTERPAC.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Imua Camper Co." <elua@INTERPAC.NET>
Subject: Re: Autostop Valve Problem Solved - Repair proceedure
In-Reply-To: <4.3.2.7.0.20000902072233.00b22df0@umassd.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Nice job! This is a great exploration- I will try the same on one of mine,
however, do you think that there are any issues with the type of grease,
i.e- how it may react with a gas like propane. Just wondering if there is
a specific type to use in this type of application.
This procedure is something that should be put on the vanagon.com
'tech' page....
thanks Ric-
Shawn
>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
Shawn Zenor
'81 std; '82 AdventureWagen; '82, '84, '85, '86, '91 Westfalias
'95(?) Barracuda mt. bike (pre Ross sell-out)
VW Camper rentals in Hawaii http://www.imua-tour.com
Guided surfing and mountain bike tours
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