Date:         Sun, 6 Feb 2005 13:37:46 -0800
Reply-To:     Matt Barclay <mbarclay@OPENFBO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matt Barclay <mbarclay@OPENFBO.COM>
Subject:      Replacing the LP tank - part 1
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

http://gallery.openfbo.com/lptank

The old LP tank is out.  Here's some advice I have for anyone else doing
this.

There are two propane lines, one for the stove, one for the frig, that
connect to a splitter that connects to the regulator:

http://gallery.openfbo.com/lptank/IMG_3348

These should both be loosened and removed prior to unbolting the tank.
The problem is, when you turn the nut to loosen the lines, the whole
regulator assembly moves make it very difficult to loosen the lines.  I
used a pry bar to keep the assembly from moving:

http://gallery.openfbo.com/lptank/IMG_3356

The propane line splitter connects to the regulator which connects to the
tank.  I did not realize this until after the tank was removed.  So, it
should be possible to just rotate the regulator, holding the splitter in
place and not have to remove those lines at all.  Instead, I ended up
breaking one of the lines by accident and will have to get a propane
service center to repair it:

http://gallery.openfbo.com/lptank/IMG_3362

Other than that, the removal was pretty straight forward.  Coolant lines
had to be loosened to make room to access the inboard bolts:

http://gallery.openfbo.com/lptank/IMG_3352

Here's a comparison of old and new:

http://gallery.openfbo.com/lptank/IMG_3369
http://gallery.openfbo.com/lptank/IMG_3370

Here's a close up of the propane line splitter thing taken from the old
tank and installed on the new one:

http://gallery.openfbo.com/lptank/IMG_3372

Fun, fun, fun!

Matt