Date:         Wed, 12 Mar 2003 19:18:31 -0800
Reply-To:     Harald Rust <harald_nancy_vw@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Harald Rust <harald_nancy_vw@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: RoadHaus - Propane tanks still wont fill
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I don't if you have yet read my previous reply
to your first propane tank query.
The filling procedure you described seems correct
to me.
How do you know if you're low on propane?
Does the stove flame go out?
Does the gas additive odor get stronger?
That's the only way to tell if you're about to
run out of propane.
If you are actually empty or low on propane,
and you can't fill the tank, then it's because
the auto shutoff valve is stuck.
There is a valve with a float inside the propane
tank. Since the tanks are brand new, they shouldn't
be stuck. Next time try tapping with a rubber
mallet or plastic hammer or something soft
against the tank by the valve to see if it
loosens up. Don't make any sparks.
Do this while the attendant is filling the tank.
Maybe they installed the auto shutoff valves
incorrectly, and they are jamming.
(I think that's unlikely, since the new tanks
have the auto shutoff valves factory installed.)
The auto stop reset/release valve you mentioned
is not stock, at least not on my '90 westy,
but it shouldn't affect filling the tanks.
People have problems with those sometimes,
since they can shut off inadvertently.
In that case, the refrig., stove, etc. goes off
until you push the reset button.
That reset valve has no relation to the auto shutoff
valve inside the tank itself.
Harald
'90 westy with 2 propane tanks
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/vw-camping/

Larry wrote:
Still having a problem getting the LP tanks filled.
I did have the little bleed off valve open all the
way.
The tanks still won't take propane.
Here the sequence I've been using for filling,
1. Have them attach their fill hose.
2. Have them turn their pump on, but not open the
valve on the fill
hose.
3. I then open the bleed off value all the way on my
tank.
4. Have them open the fill valve on their hose.
Result ..... Will not take any propane.
I then have tried,
5. Pushing on the auto stop reset/release valve under
the little rubber cap on the plug thing to the left of
my fill port.
No luck.
Maybe I'm not pushing hard enough????
It's really weird.
I have a dual tank set up with identical tanks and
values that were
installed 4-6 weeks ago.
Both tanks were properly purged during the first fill
and have been
refilled approx 3-4 times before this problem.
I'm kinda stumped and very low on propane.
On the Road,
Larry Chase


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