Date:         Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:53:29 -0700
Reply-To:     David O'Shea <DOShea@GEOMATRIX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David O'Shea <DOShea@GEOMATRIX.COM>
Subject:      Sudden Propane Venting from Tank Valve
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Greetings,

Description of the problem:
I came back to my Westy after a short drive this afternoon and was hit with the distinct smell of propane. I got down on my hands and knees and checked around the exterior tank and discovered the source. I could see fumes coming out of the valve assembly to the right of the control knob (I could see cold propane diffracting light around the source) and the knob was cool to touch. The knob was completely closed. I grabbed some gloves and opened the small valve to the far right and let it bleed for about 10 seconds and dumped a fair amount of propane to the wind. I drove home and checked again and could faintly smell but not see propane as before. Clearly the leak had slowed down. Needless to say, I'll be parking outdoors until this is sorted out.

Background:
The tank was filled a couple of months ago and I have had no occasion to use propane in the meantime. The van has typically been garaged when not be used (infrequent use). If it had been leaking all this time I certainly would have smelled it, and the tank would probably be empty by now. Either that or my house would have blown up. One fact that may bear on things is that, for the first time in months, it is above 80 degrees here in San Francisco. Was it overfilled and I have nothing to worry about if I vent more propane? Is my valve failing? I've had the van for over 10 years and this has not occurred before. I seek the wisdom of the list.

I've posted a photo showing the location of the venting propane - it's circled in red:
http://picasaweb.google.com/dmo8888/Vanagon/photo#5188162901689197282

-Dave O'Shea