Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2002 11:06:47 -0500
Reply-To: "Terry K." <CTONLINE@WEBTV.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Terry K." <CTONLINE@WEBTV.NET>
Subject: Re: propane tank dilemma solved
In-Reply-To: Bob Whitby <rpwhitby@MINDSPRING.COM>'s message of Sat, 27 Apr
2002 10:03:41 -0700
Content-Type: Text/Plain; Charset=US-ASCII
Bob,
Again, I believe that the auto fill vavle is the culprit in this
dilema----
The reason your only taking a partial load is the automatic bleeder is
doing just that---bleeding off, prior to the tank taking a full load---
The valves that were put on these tanks are prone to failure, as I found
out not only from folks on the list, but from innumerable phone calls to
Manchester Tank Co.
The valve is an antique, it is no longer produced, the company that made
it is BK, and gone, and most of all the parts to repair it are adios----
In a matter of fact, if the auto side of the valve is aluminum, it can't
even be rebuilt--as per Manchester, themselves.
They will rebuild it ( if it's all brass ) for $50.00 and you pay
shipping both way's--
Buy a manual, valve and bleeder from the guy I sent you the info about
this, and get it over with---
The auto fill valve is junk----always will be, and it'll cost you more
aggravation seeking info, advise, solutions, whatever---in the long run
than it's worth---
The automatic valve is an OSHA BS regulaton type solution to preventing
no brainer type's from blowing themselves up--and it is supposed to be
fool proof--it ain't----
My 74 Westy has the same manual valve it had on it the day it was
new----
Boy--does this suprise me---it hasen't ever failed---it's just too
simple a unit--no bells---no whistle's--nothing to break--direct
drive---
Propane never goes bad----
Later,
Terry
E-mail message
Thanks to all who responded regarding my recent propane snafu. The list
has spoken and the answer is: Westy tanks, for that matter all tanks
attached to a vehicle, don't have to conform to the 12-year rule.That is
for BBQ tanks. The guy who tried to fill my tank, 17 years old if he was
a day, didn't know what he was talking about. And the reason he couldn't
get propane into it was that he didn't open the fill valve all the way
(even though it says "open all the way" right on the valve.)
Then I took the Westy to another dealer who opened the valve all the way
at my behest. He was able to get a half gallon into the tank before the
propane starting shooting out the fill valve. Which makes me think all
is in order but that the tank has been mostly full for years. The
previous owner said she had never used the stove/fridge and she had the
van for four years. Is there a statute of limitations on propane, IE
does it go bad like gas?
Thanks again,
Bob W.
| 
